The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Pets & Working Animals => Dogs => Topic started by: milly molly on February 10, 2011, 12:05:25 am
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hi
was looking to get some viewpoints, we have just got a lovely litter of red and white border collies, most of our pups go to agility homes with one of her last litter already qualified for crufts.
Now one of the bitch pups has a deformed front leg, it looks like it was broken badly when in utero and then set that way, other than that she looks healthy enough.
I'm wondering whats the likelyhood of anyone taking her on as i know dogs with amputations seem to live happily and my feeling is she would probably manage fine.
we are going to consult the vet on friday to get his opinion.
i have 4 dogs already and really cant see me keeping her, so what do u think, see how she develops with the hope someone will be happy to take her or cut out losses and euthinase (not keen)
mandy
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Hi Mandy,
Please let us all know what the vet says!!!! I have a good friend who has been looking for a border collie puppy since before Christmas - she has a collie already but he's middle aged now. She has been keeping an eye on the local rescue centres too. I won't mention anything to her yet though.
also. can't remember if she's looking for a bitch or dog?
Anyway, good luck. :dog:
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thanks, will let u know what he says
mandy
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to be honest most dogs with amputations are pets that are already loved that the owner does not want to destroy. You are going to struggle to home a deformed puppy as most people will want their bundle of joy to be perfect. I think you may have to bite the bullet the sooner the better for everyone involved.
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to be honest most dogs with amputations are pets that are already loved that the owner does not want to destroy. You are going to struggle to home a deformed puppy as most people will want their bundle of joy to be perfect. I think you may have to bite the bullet the sooner the better for everyone involved.
As a breeder of more years than I care to remember I would agree with that I'm afraid. I've had to do it, and it's part and parcel of being a responsible breeder. If you let that pup go to someone and it then doesn't develop properly because of the bad leg they may regret having her, and that would not be good for either. I think you may have difficulty homing her too as people will see potential costs ahead.
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I think that potential costs will put some people off. From experience however I am certain that there are people out there who would fall over themselves to look after a dog with the sort of problems that you have described.
A local Staff breeder had one pup with only half of one of her front legs in place but perfectly normal otherwise.
She had five people trying to outbid each other for 'Peanut' as she turned out to be called.
Listen to the vet and let us know what happens. Good luck
Ian
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My friend has a 3 legged beardie that he uses for sheep she does a fine job.
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looking at it today i think it may need surgery, we are willing to do this if the vet thinks its worth doing and then hopefully get a home for her.
she is from parents with excellent temprements so hopefully he will think its worth exploring.
will post back once i know.
mandy
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vet is leaning towards euthinasia as he thinks using 3 legs will cause early arthritis etc but is willing to see if surgery is possible, its my partners final call as its his dog, so unless someone is willing to commit to takeing her, i'm not sure.
so anybody interested in a liver and white border collie bitch FOC with a £100 sweatener towards any vet bills let me know, she has her mums agility build so wont be a heavy dog which might go in her favour.
Mandy
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what age is it
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just born on wednesday so 4 days ;D
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the pup would need to stay with mum for seven wks yet is it not to early to predict that it would cause problems unless it has set at a funny angle
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whether its going to be a problem is still to be seen, it wont be able to use the leg as its bent up from near the elbow so the paw sits against the leg, it might just sit their not getting in the way or amputation from an asthetic point might be done.
as i say we are willing to let her continue if someone is willing to take her on.
Mandy
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I've heard of plenty of dogs coping with amputation as an adult but at 4 days old the responsible thing to do is pts. The wee thing will struggle from day one.
Sorry.
Stevie
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before we commit can you send picks we are not that far from you will pm you our email address
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Hi, I worked for 'probably' the best orthopaedic surgeon in Scotland who vets from all over Scotland & many parts of England refer cases to. Some amazing deformities can be corrected, obviously expense etc comes into it. But before making any decisions How about seeing if your vet could refer you to either Andy Millar at Broadleys Vet Hosp.,Stirling or Glasgow Vet School as both nearer to you. If you want the best of the best John Ferguson at East Neuk Vet Clinic, St. Monans, Fife. Andy Millar & John Ferguson will also 'read' Xrays if your vet sends them and give the best prognosis, costs involved and whether PTS is the kindest. Good luck.
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I agree with Geebee, my Freckles had an op at East neuk and was extremely well cared for - and me too, very sympathetic and extremely knowledgeable, explain everything simply too - it was Steve, John's colleague that we saw.
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I agree with Geebee, my Freckles had an op at East neuk and was extremely well cared for - and me too, very sympathetic and extremely knowledgeable, explain everything simply too - it was Steve, John's colleague that we saw.
Oooh! when was Freckles there & what op? I may well have met her, and you, tho' I wasn't 'front of house' much as I was an orthopaedic referral nurse & in charge of theatres etc. but often met owners when admitting or discharging pets. I was there for 10 years til July 2009.
Unfortunately Steve has recently moved on to pastures new, Willows Referral Centre in the Midlands. (East Neuks loss, Willows gain I'd say!) He is fab, can't praise him enough. Explains everything, all your options, prognosis etc. and remembers every client/patient he's ever seen and all about the case. Sooo dedicated.
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Oh, that's a shame, they will miss his expertise - yes he explained everything to me, and was so good with Freckles - she had a TPLO http://www.vetsurgerycentral.com/tplo.htm (http://www.vetsurgerycentral.com/tplo.htm) in April 2010 so you won't have met her or me, and she absolutely fine now - Brittanys only know two speeds - go and stop, sometimes turning corners at speed creates this problem - there were four of our breed had that problem last year alone.
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TPLO's fond memories, we did more of them than anything else, about 10 a week! They were so much better immediately post-op was difficult to keep them quiet (as you probably found) oops I think we've hijacked this thread!
I hope the puppy does well if anything can be done.
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thanks for the info gee, will consider if thats feasable. i'm working next 3 nights so will make enquries for thurs/frid.
mandy
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Taking away the money would this little pup have a pain free life. I believe everything has the right to life but an animal cannot tell you when things get too much and at such a young age any decision will be hard.
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How is the puppy?
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shes growing well, cant really tell her apart untill u wade in and do a close inspection. just going to see how she goes as she develops, doesn't have a problem getting about to be first at the milk bar at the mo anyway.
mandy
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what's the opinion on the leg? what did the vet recommend?
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hi,
ortho vet recomended leaving it be at the mo as too young for an anaesthetic, reconstruction isnt recomended, if we wanted they could amputate the leg when she's about 4-5months old, said it would cost about £100 for them to do it. but it might not be really necissary as she has no discomfort from it.
also recomended withdrawing the cash incentive so would offer it to be paid directly to the vet.
mandy
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Seems sensible :)
Ian
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well thats them 3 weeks old tomorrow all starting to wobble about including little stumpie shes not as fast as the rest but she keeps up, leg doesnt seem to be getting in her way either. starting weaning tomorrow too thats usually fun ::)
mandy
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I've got a 7 year old front leg amputee Akita X lab he does fine, been like it since he was small, but take vets advice, but we wouldn't swap Merlin
Mandy :wave: