Dog knocked over + has to have leg amputated. Advice?

Question

Our 3 yr old Lurcher was run over yest by an idiot driver who was driving much to fast. They stopped but when they saw wot they had done thet drove off.

It was horrible. Luci (our lovely dog) was rushed to the vets. The vet says her front leg has a bad compound fracture and the knuckle joint is smashed. He says we could take her to a specialist which would cost thousands but all they could prob do is fuze the bones since its so badly broken. This would mean she could never bend her leg or run again. The vet advised amputating the leg + sed she is young + will adapt. She luvs running around with our other whippet and i cant believ she will never be the same again.

We have to decide 2mo. She is still sedated and its all so upsetting. Do u think amputation is the best thing for her?

Answer 1

Just have her leg amputated.  You will be surprised how quick she recovers from this.  I had to have 1 of my dogs legs amputated, and the day I brought him home he was wanting to run circles around the dining room table.  Didn't slow him down 1 bit....he even does agility now, even with 3 legs!!!

Answer 2

Have the leg amputated.

My dog has only got 3 legs and believe me it doesn't hold her back in any way !

She can still run fast, chase balls, jumps onto things and, amazingly, swims !

E-mail me if you want to chat to a fellow 3 legged dog owner !

Answer 3

Send him to dog heaven.

Answer 4

Yes. Dogs adapt very well to losing a limb. I am a Veterinary Technician and I have seen many animals that have had to have a leg amputated and they all have done very well. As time goes on, she will learn to put her front leg in the center of her body to keep her balance. After a few months she will proably be running around like normal. It will probably be more upsetting to you than it is to her.

Answer 5

i THINK YOU SHOULD GET lUCIS LEG REMOVED.  sHE WILL ADAPT FINE AND BE A HAPPY PUP AGAIN.  THIS SEEMS THE BETTER OPTION THAN HAVING THE LEG BUT BEING UNABLE TO MOVE IT.  AS FOR THE DRIVER - WHAT AN ****!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IF YOU HAVE REGI PLATE NUMBER YOU SHOULD REPORT HIM - IT HAS TO BE REPORTED WHEN SOMEONE KNOCKS A DOG DOWN.TELL LUCI I WAS ASKING FOR HER AND GIVE HER A BIG HUG FROM ME X

Answer 6

Our dog was hit about 3 months ago and we had to have his back leg amputated. He had no problems what so ever. It may take you longer to adjust to the sight rather than the dog adjusting to three legs! Once the hair grows back you wont notice. Our fella can chase around still. So don't worry, your pet will be just fine. best of luck.

Answer 7

Many dogs get along fine with only three legs and can run almost as well as four-legged dogs once they get the hang of it.

If you really love your dog and the doctor doesn't think the animal will be hindered in any way from living a good life, go for it.

Adding a little dark humor, I've never heard of a "Lurcher," but your dog may live up to its name!

Answer 8

This is so sad but animals do cope well with only 3 legs.  Listen to the vet she will adapt and enjoy walking and even running  again                                                                                                                                          

Answer 9

That is what I would do in your situation.  Dogs really do adapt rather quickly.  We had a 3-legged dog when I was a kid & he was the happiest of the bunch.  He learned to run, jump, swim, etc just like any other dog only he looked a bit funny.  

Answer 10

yes because the dog will adapt and will still have a good quality of life. If the bones were fused it could cause pain in later life, probably arthritic. I think amputation is definitely the best option, and sorry for what happened to Luci.

Answer 11

Two months is a long time to wait.  I am very sorry for you and the dog.

Have the leg amputated....there are a lot of three legged dogs..they adjust very well.  It appears you are a kind, loving dog owner..and that means a lot to the recuperation of the dog. Good luck.

Answer 12

How awful!

But please be reassured - Luci will soon adjust to having three legs, she'll learn to balance herself and soon be running around like nowt's happened. Dogs, though very sensitive, don't get all worked up over things like we do; once over the pain and shock they just get on with their lives and make the best of a bad job.

After all, she's got her loving owners and her little friend to support her.

Luci will enjoy her life just as before.

I wish you all the best, your family & dogs! I won't say what I wish the driver!

Answer 13

As your vet says Dogs adapt really well to an amputation. I recently had the choice to make, but my Dog was very old and had Cancer and was advised to be put to sleep, I imagine you'll be amazed at her in a few months at how well she's doing.

Answer 14

I have seen many 3 legged dogs that do not even know the difference.  They don't take it as hard as people do.  Don't feel sorry for her, just be glad she survived and you get to take her home.  

The other dog may be her best therapy because he will not care that she has 3 legs and treat her the same.  Follow his example and she will be just fine!

As upsetting as it was, and as stupid as the driver was to drive off, you must realize the driver is not at fault.  I had a dog hit and she died, but it was not the drivers fault my dog ran into the road.  The responsibility is with the owner to keep the dog safe.  I know in the greif of the moment you need some one to blame - but get real fast so this does not happen again.

Answer 15

As Bumblebee says, what's best for the dog is probably amputation.  It is likely easier for a dog to adapt to being three-legged than it is for her to adapt to having a "fused" leg, that's why the vet recommended it.

& if you rename her "Tripod Luci", that will make her seem even more deserving of love & affection from dog-friendly strangers, so instead of thinking "where's my leg?" she'll be thinking "I like all these new people petting me!"....