Ditto to AlisonGold. :)

Not  good news...  swelling has not reduced at all...another 2 claws have fallen out.... vet is very unhappy about puppy's paw.. more cortisone, more AB's and another jab??... I stopped asking...

The vet says, that original cathogen was pulled out of other leg by puppy, and re-inserted into this leg..  normally when a pup/dog/cat.etc are going to be on drip for any length of time, the drip is moved to opposite leg/vein every couple of days.. but they couldnt enter vein in other leg, so had no option but to leave it where it was... this has apparently caused vein to close down and blood not getting to pups paw...

paw now drenched in ointment, wads of cottonwool, bandaged to the shoulder and and plastered to the hilt...

back to vet at 9.25 tomorrow morning...

fingers crossed the cortisone begins doing its job.

Oh dear poor little boy :(

Sending all the positive healing vibes from all of us here :)

Lucy
xx

Oh the poor wee man, still sending positive thoughts your way.

Poor little guy. Will send lots of positive thoughts his way (some for his worried mum).

Poor, poor little chap!   Again, I'm sending positive thoughts for puppy and mum

Margot

Awwww poor baby :(
Sending loads of positive thoughts, and hope he improves over night :)
Lea :)

Just read this. Poor little man. he has been through the mill! Hope he is on the mend very very soon.

:( :( :( :(

This has been a really rough morning, and I have to make a decision.. but I cant...

Puppys paw is not going to recover from the ordeal.. and this morning is so badly infected, and has lost all feeling.. rock hard.. all veins have shut down and no blood is getting to the paw..

I have to do the right thing for him... but I cant choose... remove the leg, or let him go

I need help, I cant decide... I know in my heart what I should do.. I dont want oohs and aahhs or fluffy sympathy.. its not needed.. but.. I do need your wisdom and guidance to help me make the correct decision for him :(

Let him go.
You have tried your hardest but its not to be.

Better a day to soon than a day to late.

Oh No what a decision, will he be OK if he has the leg removed ? what does your vet think ?

Are you going to keep him or do you have a very special home for him ?

I would try to decide with my head not my heart, but it isn't easy. The gut instinct is to give him a chance of life, but only you can decide

Had a talk with the vet..

pups is just 4 weeks old.. he has a lot og fast growing to do over the next few months.. and is heading for the 30/40KG range by the time he is around 5/6months old... a hell of a lot of weight to put on one front leg... a toy beed or smaller dog might have had a better chance...

and yes.. I do have a very very special home line up for him.. his 'owners' have been waiting a year on this little boy... they were on the waiting list for my last litter a year ago.. from Summer. a year tomorow in fact, summer only had 3 pups and I kept 2.. (Hunter and Beanie will be a year old ..) so there wasnt a pup available for them.. they decided not to go elsewhere and have waited patiently all this time... they wantd a yellow boy, and Tia had a litter of 8 blacks.. and the very last pup born.. was.. a yellow boy

If it had been one of the blacks, it would not have been so bad (you know what I mean).. I planned to keep one of the boys... so I wouldn't have had to give anyone devastating news... BUT.. thats not the issue.. doing what will be best for HIM is

I think under the circumstances, and the fact that he's going to be a big heavy dog, I'd let him go. :( A horrible decision to make.

Oh Kay - what a decision to have to make :(

First of all - just how strong is he at the moment?    He hasn't yet been weaned, so he has that hurdle to overcome - and he has been through the mill already.   What experience has your vet of amputation on such a young pup?  Or would he be going to a specialist vet for the op?   If he does have the operation and comes through it - at three weeks old a ga is obviously not without complications - he will adapt pretty quickly - after all, he is hardly on his feet at the moment, and will soon be as adept at chasing around with the others - IF he comes through the ga.

If you do decide to go ahead and remove the leg and he makes a full recovery from the operation, will you have enough room/capacity to keep him?    I know you would, and give him all the love and care he would need - and he would adapt pretty quickly - but look realistically at this - he will be in addition all your other dogs/pups/plans - can you afford this, financially as well as time spent?

I know the above is going to sound quite hard, but I hope that in asking you these questions (which I'm sure you've already asked yourself) helps you to clarify your decision  - I know that you will do what is best for this puppy - but don't forget, you do have to factor in what is good for you as well.   I know that your decisions to breed are not made lightly - and you are brave enough to do what has to be done.

PM me if you want ....

Lots of love
Margot x

Margot thank you...

at the moment he is not strong.. BUT.. is stronger than I would have expected... he is eating well.. and very nearly weaned... seperate from other pups so doesnt get to go in for the mad suckle with the others, and by the time Tia has had enough of them.. she resent me making her lay down for him.. so yes.. he could manage quite well without mum now.. so thats not a worry...I havent spoken to vet about where, how or who would do the op yet.. discussion this morning cosisted of me crying my eyes out and saying another 24hours, thats all we have... again.. the GA is going to be a problem.. although he is doing really well.. we dont know just how much of a recovery has been made from his bug... he may not be strong enough to come through the GA

time, space, and finances are not a problem... it might take a while to work out some sort of routine etc.. but that could happen with any of of dogs at anytime.. little glitches like that are not something I need to take into consideration.. only HIS wellbeing and quality of life.

>I know the above is going to sound quite hard, but I hope that in asking you these questions

absolutely not Margot, .. it helps put things into perspective... we dont tend to ask ourselves these things.. make some dreadfully wrong decisions, and a poor dog has to live with that for the rest of its life.

Hi
I cannot begin to know what you are going through with this pup. My thoughts are with you.
I had a GSD who at three weeks had a big op to mend a diaphragmatic hernia. We worried and worried but in the end had it done. Looking back now I think we made the wrong decision, he never fully recovered and suffered all his life (He stayed with us understandably) from chesty type infections and died in my arms one night during a particularly nasty bout of Pneumonia. He was 22 months old. His name was Zip (because of the huge scar on his tummy) and his life was short and full of ill health. He was never a really happy dog and I now think it would of been kinder to have him PTS. If this pup is going to loose a leg and suffer all the accompanying problems with living his life on three legs and going through the trauma of a big op at his age no one would think any the worse of you to let him go quietly now.
If however you do decide to help him through this ordeal and give him a loving life home then I wish you all the luck in the world with him. Many dogs live happy and fulfilled lives on three legs, he will know no better as he has never had the chance to try out all four so his learning to cope will be done from scratch and he will not miss what he has never really had.
No one can make this heart breaking decision but you and I think you must really sit down and give it a huge amount of thought. Can you realistically cope with a disabled dog, will your lifestyle be able to deal with him, would you be doing it because you feel it is the "Right Thing" to do or because you really feel it would be right for him? Do not do this if you are doing it for the wrong reasons you must know you are 100% sure you can cope and you will devote your life to his care and attention, he will need more that an ordinary puppy. You must have no doubts about your ability to care for him for his whole life.
Whatever your desicion I am sure everyone here on CD will back you all the way. Take time to make the right decision.
Good Luck  We will be thinking of you.
Aileen and the girls. XX

thanks Aileen... that helps too...

If is was an injury or something else on an older, fit and healthy dog, decisions would be easier, and simpler.. but in all honesty.. I dont really know how healthy this little boy will be.. although he seems fine now, and is eating well... he spent 4 days in a serious condition, and honestly did not expect him to recover.. there is no knowing what internal problems he may have in the future.. possibly none.. BUT.. like your boy.. will he really overcome it.. I am sorry for the loss of your boy, but your story does help me...

Something to bear in mind is that he woudl be with other dogs that are fully fit,a dn yet unable to join in safely with a lot of their games etc.

Sorry to hear that all efforts haven't had a better outcome - and easy to say when you're not involved - but I think I would let him go. You've tried very hard, but I think amputation on such a young pup is a huge decision, with implications for the rest of his life.

Best wishes for whichever way you decide.

M.x

If he is going to be at the top of the weight scale, then I think that that would tip the scales for me :(

We all know that this breed is prone to weight gain - he will obviously not be as active as the others, and so it will be more difficult to keep him lean - and the pressure on the rest of his body is going to be severe.   His life expectancy will be diminished and, should he develop any other joint problems they will be exacerbated.  

Let him go.    You've fought hard for him, but some battles just cannot be won.

Margot

this is the other thing Margot.. its one of Tia's pups.. Tia's fit working weight is 38kg.. possibly 8kg above the average for her breed.. and the stud is no lightweight (bone and body not fat).. all pups are sitting at around 5kg at just 4 weeks.. weight is going to be a problem....

This concern was voiced by the vet.. I hadnt considered the weight issue at that point...

Oh Kay I'm so sorry
Have had to make a similar decision myself where the pups future would have been compromised, I opted for PTS
Not easy and not something you get over in a hurry :(

I'm sure you will make the right decision whatever that may be

Hugs

xx

I think all things considered and especially with the weight concern I would say that it would be kinder to let the little boy go :(

I will however on my optomistic side there are plenty of Labs that are able to live a normal life with only three legs so if he is a fighter and with alot of TLC and a good eye is kept on his weight then he could live an active and happy life. Look at the story of Bracken she lived to a grand old age after so many health problems in her life. The only issue would be the strain on his bones during his developing months ?

http://bracken-canine-bone-cancer.piczo.com/?cr=6&rfm=y

Also would he not be able to take full blood tests to see how he is doing as if any of the results show anything out of normal range it would give you a better idea on if he would be strong enough to survive ?

Not sure if I have helped

Lucy
xx

http://www.handicappedpet.net/help/

This site has a forum so somebody may have had a similar experience with such a young pup ?

I'm so sorry Kay. My gut instinct is the same as many of the other opinions -to let him go. I agree the worst part is probably his waiting new owners -makes it so much harder in every way. :(

:( owner has just phoned... she is devasted.. understatment... but have told her that if I do go with Amp. puppy will be staying here...

I have just read through this......how truly sad.

I can't add anything that hasn't already been voiced ~ my thoughts are with you and your little boy

x x

Kay

What a horrible decision. I feel that it may be the best in the long term if he was given sleep, however, you really do have to make this decision on your own with the Vets help and advice. Whatever you decide you will have made the right choice.

Let him go.
He is going to me miserable for weeks, longer than he has lived so far, and then have to live a reduced quality of life.  An adult amputeee is different but a pup deserves a more active life.

I'm sorry Kay, you've done so well by this boy and you and your vet have fought so hard for him. I agree with Barbara though, let him go. You can't subject such a young pup to an op like that. He will be in pain for so long and who knows how having only 3 legs when growing will affect his other legs/joints. Poor boy, time to let him go peacefully I would say :(

Baby boy is now at the Bridge   ... I know I made the right decision for him...

The vein on his other leg was too narrow , so we had to gas him down and then inject through tummy....

I am so sorry little man.. God love you and may you rest in peace...

Run free boy

Lucy
xx

Oh Kay, my thoughts are with you. You fought so hard for the wee man, and then made the hard decision to let him go in peace. You've done everything you could for him, and made the right choice to let him go. Run free little man x

:( You did your very best for him, Kay, but it wasn't to be. It's nobody's fault, and I'm certain you've made the right decision. Sleep well, little chap.

<It's nobody's fault

I am still trying to convince myself on that one JF

IF.. I hadn't given Tia that mince.. IF.. I Hadn't allowed her into pups.. IF.. I had made sure her face was clean.. IF only I had done all these things.... puppy might not have gotten sick and had to go through all he went through...

too many If's ;(  I will never know what really happened, or why

>I will never know what really happened, or why

Even if you had done all those things it still might have happened - or something else might have. That's why it's no good beating yourself up, although it's something we all do. Sometimes things go wrong despite our very best efforts. You did the kindest thing and didn't put him through weeks of further pain. {{{{{hug}}}}}

I am so sorry you both had to go through this.

So very sorry Kay

Run Free at The Bridge little man

Yes, you did make the right decision, but ditto Barbara, neither of you should have had to go through this. He is now in no pain and can run free.

You did all you could for him Kay -more than a lot of breeders would I dare say- and in the end did what was best for HIM. That's all any puppy ever can ask for. HUGS.

So sorry Kay about the outcome for this little chap, you did all and more than many would and you made a sensible decision based on many factors. Hard as it has been I feel sure in time you will grow to see that your decision was the right one. His life may have been short but I am sure through it he has had the best care you could give him. It was not your fault, they say only the good die young and God must have a special reason for calling him back so soon.
Run free now little one, our love goes with you. One day we may all get the chance to meet this very special man at the bridge.
Aileen and the Girls. XX

I'm so sorry your boy didn't make it. It was the right decision to make for him. He's not suffering and is at peace now.

{{{{{HUGS}}}}}
I'm still here if needed Kay

What a heart wrenching situation to have been in. Your wee lad is now at peace and you made a brave decision that put his interests before anyone else's.

So sorry Kay, it really was the only way to go. Don't beat yourself up about it, unfortunately life is full of 'if only's'.

So sorry Kay :(  No-one could have done more for him so please don't beat yourself up.

Run free little one xxx

Kay so sorry ,you did your best as always for the littlel one.

Run free sweet baby.xxxx

So sorry Kay, whoever said breeding was easy *hug*

Rest easy sweet pup

{{hugs}}

Kay - you know that you have done the right thing by this wee one.    We all have "if onlys" - and we cannot do a thing about them - what's done is done - and was done for the best at the time.  

You know where I am.

Love

Margot x

Kay

I'm so sorry :( All that you have done for the pup was done with love  - that's all that matters.

Daisy xx