suffering puppy - Page 1

I could use some feedback... I had a puppy that was born the mother accidently chewed his foot off while cleaning him up. He is a large male ,has been healthy otherwise. I thought that yes he would need some medical help later but he would be able to adapt. he is only a little slower than all the other puppies he runs around good. But  someone told me that I should put him down that he will end up down on his hocks on the  front legs from all the weight being displaced. I don't want to put a puppy down that will be ok but I also would never want to cause a puppy to suffer. any suggestions? 

There are many 3 legged dogs around.  So he is slower, are his parents ceritfied with good hips?  Have you taken him to the vet?

 At the worst, when he is a little older, perhaps he may need his leg removed. I see many dogs here with limb amputations and their ability to adapt is remarkable. The question should be 1) is he in discomfort, and 2) leaving him as he is, will he have recurrent infections? Answers to these questions should be forthcoming from a good orthopedic vet and if the answers are "yes", then amputation will still leave him functional and hopefully he will lead a good life in a loving home. The difficulty will be in finding that home.

Good luck.

You don't mention age, or if this is a pet, or if this is from a cash litter.   You want input?   The puppy needs to go to the vet to have the wound properly treated.   Nothing wrong with a three legged dog if you intend to raise it as your own.   If you dont want it please find someone who really does.   Its your pup and your call as to put it down or not.   I might have put it down immediately, then again maybe not.   No one has the right to judge you no matter which way you go, just don't let an animal suffer ever.   Until you get the pup to the vet it is in danger of infection or worst.   If your looking for someone to make up your mind for you,   I won't .    Its your responcability to do what you yourself thinks is right.

I am sorry the pup was injured.  I don't envy your choice.

Me.

I have no intention of someone else making up my mind the decision is mine and mine alone but I am not above asking for advice .. if someone else has had the same thing happen and what the outcome was ...good or bad. I cannot make a decision either way untill I am well informed the puppy is 3 weeks old its seen the vet. His opinoin was he at worst might need an amputation later  but should adapt well. But I had some one call and scare me telling me to put him down he will only suffer that it wont be fair to him or the person that adopts him. The foot is completly healed there is a small scar but its healed very nicely. I appreciate your thoughts on people judging.. some people dont have a heart and can pass a quick harsh judgement and it sometimes can hurt... thanx again

Howver I must add the post on this thread have been very assuring to me and can't say how much I appreciate you guy's advice just forgot to say thanx to y'all so... thanx!!

The person who told you the puppy or whoever adopts him would suffer was projecting their own feelings.  I would not give that opinion too much weight.  As everyone here has said, 3 legged dogs adopt really well, and for a young pup like yours, this is just what life is, he will have no memory of having a  4th leg that works the same as his others.   I think the reason most dogs with leg deformities  need to have  the offending leg amputated is until it is, they will try to use it, often times ending up with sores.

The difficulty will be in finding that special home for him.  You may have to keep him for a much longer period than the other puppies just to find people who aren't looking for "4 on the floor".

As a side note, I once read in an interview with Sandra Bullock and her husband that they have multiple 3 legged dogs.

With regards to weight displacement, keeping him  thin  will help him out in that department.

Good luck, the little guy is sure lucky his mother was your dog!

He hardly sounds like he's suffering to me.

No reason to put a happy, healthy little pupper down because of something like that. I can't believe someone would want to put him down just because of a missing foot! I had a three-legged gerbil once *laughs* and the little fellow climbed toys and ran in a wheel just like normal. I've had a lot of special-needs pets of various species over the years. They seem to wind up with me.

The problems he might have are unsymetrical movement, and abrasions on the limb stub. There are options to amputation: he can be fitted with a bootie to protect the stub, or even a complete prosthetic limb! The cost of fitting one is not necessarily more than the cost of most amputation surgeries, and a lot easier on the dog in terms of recovery. My opinion is to work with as much of the existing leg structure as possible, rather than go the amputation route. It is always best to leave as much original structure as possible. Unless the leg is severely damaged (accident) or malformed then I don't feel amputation is required in most cases.

Two such groups that offer prosthetic devices are Handicappedpets.com and Animal Ortho Care.

Here's a vid-clip of a dog that gets around just fine with an artifical limb: [the video]

That is amazing.  When my dog had to have his leg amputated I wondered why there weren't prosthetics for dogs.  I didn't have access to the web back then.  Thank you so much for posting those links, you never know when they might come in handy in the future.