TBH'ers help - Dog feedback

[gdawg]

I know we are a bowhunting site but I think most are like me in that they do a little of everything outdoors. I have an extremely tuff decision and I thought I'd throw it out to group to see if there was anyone else who had faced same thing.

I've got a super little 2 1/2 old Boykin Spaniel that I have had since pup. I also have his 11 yr old grandmother who has been an absolute hunting machine for me since she was a pup. I got the young male - Red - to start taking over since the grandma - Sadie - needs to slowly move into retirement.

In the last week, Red has dislocated hip hip 3 times. I spent the afternoon Thursday at Gulf Coast Vets and it looks like he has a 1 in a million situation where he has a hip joint issue and it does not appear he will be a candidate for a hip replacement - even if I was willing to do given cost. We have scheduled a visit to A&M for second opinion but at this point it looks like the choices are to do nothing (which I do not consider an option due to the quality of life issue), amputate or put him down.

As with many pets, Red is as much a family member as my hunting companion and means a great deal to my entire family. My struggle is that Red was bred to hunt and lives for it. To amputate would mean he would survive but would most likely never be able to do the thing he lives for. To put him down - which I am not philosophically comfortable that I have the right to do unless he is suffering - would mean we could move on with another dog.

Is there any feedback anyone can give who has experienced similar situation?

Thank you for your help.

[Mudslinger]

I would not want to be in your shoes right now. The only time I have had to put dogs down was when their was no other choice like you are facing. Dogs can do amazing things with 3 legs, even only 2 in some cases. If I had to make a decision today, I would lean towards the amputation and see how he does from their. With his desire and will he might suprise you. Good luck with your decision and outcome and I will send prayers for you and Red.

[Deer Tracks]

I agree with Mud. A dog can do pretty much anything he needs to do on 3 good legs.

I'm sorry to hear about your dog's condition.

[SMUMan02]

I would not want to be in your shoes right now. The only time I have had to put dogs down was when their was no other choice like you are facing. Dogs can do amazing things with 3 legs, even only 2 in some cases. If I had to make a decision today, I would lean towards the amputation and see how he does from their. With his desire and will he might suprise you. Good luck with your decision and outcome and I will send prayers for you and Red.

x2. Good luck. I think I'd do everything I could to avoid putting a young dog down. He might enjoy just hanging around the house more than you think.

[bmatthews96]

I would not want to be in your shoes right now. The only time I have had to put dogs down was when their was no other choice like you are facing. Dogs can do amazing things with 3 legs, even only 2 in some cases. If I had to make a decision today, I would lean towards the amputation and see how he does from their. With his desire and will he might suprise you. Good luck with your decision and outcome and I will send prayers for you and Red.

x3

[Cotton]

When one of my dogs got his hip broke one of the options was to remove the ball joint from the femur. Vet said most dogs will build enough muscle to help compensate for the missing bone. They won’t be totally normal but will do much better than an amputation. I’m sure each case is different and this may not even be an option but if it hasn’t come up it might be worth mentioning to the Vet.

I’m guessing this is only affecting one hip?

[BaylorCoBowhunter]

Wait for your second opinion. You may be surprised. Different surgeons are willing to do/try different things.

[Bowtechlady]

Hard choice, I hope the vets at A&M can provide you with an alternative. Will keep you in my prayers.

[Bones]

In my first life as a hogdogger, some 14 years ago, a friend had a three legged catch dog. She was all heart and as good a catch dog as anyone could ever want. Im pretty convinced that given some time to acclimate, there is nothing a 4 legged dog can do which a 3 legged dog can not.

That being said, in this hogdoggin life, my current partner has a Lacy gyp named Heidi who got pummeled and smashed into a tree by a bad hog about a year and a half or two years ago. One of her resulting injuries was a dislocated hip which we had set. She spent 60days with the afflicted leg bandaged to her torso in hopes that it would heal significantly. 5 minutes after removing the bandage, she dislocated it again. At that point, Mike was given two choices, hip replacement or hip ball removal.

Replacement was EXPENSIVE but they explained that for a couple of hundred dollars, they could remove the hip ball, wrap and affix the tendon in some special "figure 8" and that she would be fine.

We were skeptic but Mikes wife made the decision and they had Heidi's hip ball removed. 30 days later, with the exception of a little atrophy, you couldn't tell that she had an injury. Today she still hunts hogs just like the rest of them. The only lasting effect is a loss of stamina after 2.5 or 3 hours of hard hunting.

She is loving life on 4 legs even though she only has one hip ball.

Id suggest you look into that alternative.

Steve

[gmech]

Im 6'3" and weigh 210 pounds (Im in pretty decent shape too) and I have had a 3 legged pitbull DRAG me around and there was nothing I could do about it.

Consider the amputation even if for whatever reason he cant hunt he will still have a great life and be a great pet. It will take a lot of work probably but I think he could still hunt.

Good luck

[rocky]

When one of my dogs got his hip broke one of the options was to remove the ball joint from the femur. Vet said most dogs will build enough muscle to help compensate for the missing bone. They won’t be totally normal but will do much better than an amputation. I’m sure each case is different and this may not even be an option but if it hasn’t come up it might be worth mentioning to the Vet.

I’m guessing this is only affecting one hip?

We had this done to our Jack, and he's 95%.
I hope your dog is a candidate for this procedure.

[BIG_B]

Get him amputated. he will lead a fine life as a pet. I sure would hate it if this happened to me GSP. good luck to ya

[gdawg]

Thanks for the feedback. That is exactly what I was hoping to receive. We'll go to A&M next week much more optimistic than we would have.

It is great having a community like this where people of similar experiences and interests can offer feedback and support. Again, thank you for taking the time to help!