| On a recent trip to the animal shelter when our | | | | abuse or neurological disorders. Rarely, a dog will |
| family decided to adopt a dog, we noticed the | | | | be born with a limb missing. |
| perfect match for our family. He was a large | | | | Three legged dogs often live content without their |
| mixed breed and although we were unsure of the | | | | fourth leg. After a recovery period, the dog learns |
| breed we knew from the moment that we laid | | | | to adjust with the three legs and others may not |
| our eyes on him that he would fill our home with | | | | even notice that the dog is missing a fourth. It |
| joy. There was one aspect our dog that his set | | | | can be traumatizing for the owners as well as the |
| him apart from the rest at the shelter, Sparky | | | | dogs, as we wonder about the pain and suffering |
| only had three legs. | | | | that the dog may have from our decision to |
| It turned out that a car accident was the reason | | | | amputate. Each time amputation is suggested, it is |
| for the amputation from the knee. Although we | | | | suggested as the best option and therefore helps, |
| had never raised a pet that was missing a limb | | | | rather than hinders the dog. |
| we were sure that a trip to the local veterinarian | | | | Mental and Physical Recoveries Happen Quickly |
| and a little research would give us all of the | | | | In the instance of amputation it is important to |
| information we needed to provide him with a | | | | accept that the limb has been lost. Of course, this |
| loving home. | | | | does not happen overnight but everyone must |
| Why Do We Have to Amputate? | | | | move on from the trauma and begin the road to |
| This was our first question when we took him to | | | | recovery. This is not uncommon in a human case |
| the local vet - we thought that experience would | | | | - and although most of us may not know an |
| yield the answers that we required. We were | | | | amputee personally, we have all read the stories |
| interested to know the how and the why of | | | | or seen a television special on the topic. |
| amputations. Surprisingly, not many dogs are born | | | | Animals are even more resilient than humans, |
| with limb amputations. The most common | | | | especially in the case of a limb being amputated. |
| diseases at the cause of canine amputations were | | | | Recovery time can take as little as week before |
| bone cancer, and could be extremely painful for | | | | the dog is mentally recovered. Of course, the |
| the dog. Although it can be difficult for the owner | | | | physical trauma may continue as the dog learns |
| to make a decision of amputation, it is the best | | | | to walk with three legs but even the limping, or |
| option for the dog to relieve pain and suffering. | | | | hopping will eventually disappear. Every dog |
| Other, less common reasons that a dog would | | | | returns to the persona that they embodied |
| have a leg amputated included car accidents, | | | | before the amputation. |