MENTAL AMPUTATION – Paved With Guts – live @ Rock It
On a recent trip to the animal shelter when our family decided to adopt a dog, we noticed the perfect match for our family. He was a large mixed breed and although we were unsure of the breed we knew from the moment that we laid our eyes on him that he would fill our home with joy. There was one aspect our dog that his set him apart from the rest at the shelter, Sparky only had three legs.
It turned out that a car accident was the reason for the amputation from the knee. Although we had never raised a pet that was missing a limb we were sure that a trip to the local veterinarian and a little research would give us all of the information we needed to provide him with a loving home.
Why Do We Have to Amputate?
This was our first question when we took him to the local vet – we thought that experience would yield the answers that we required. We were interested to know the how and the why of amputations. Surprisingly, not many dogs are born with limb amputations. The most common diseases at the cause of canine amputations were bone cancer, and could be extremely painful for the dog. Although it can be difficult for the owner to make a decision of amputation, it is the best option for the dog to relieve pain and suffering.
Other, less common reasons that a dog would have a leg amputated included car accidents, abuse or neurological disorders. Rarely, a dog will be born with a limb missing.
Three legged dogs often live content without their fourth leg. After a recovery period, the dog learns to adjust with the three legs and others may not even notice that the dog is missing a fourth. It can be traumatizing for the owners as well as the dogs, as we wonder about the pain and suffering that the dog may have from our decision to amputate. Each time amputation is suggested, it is suggested as the best option and therefore helps, rather than hinders the dog.
Mental and Physical Recoveries Happen Quickly
In the instance of amputation it is important to accept that the limb has been lost. Of course, this does not happen overnight but everyone must move on from the trauma and begin the road to recovery. This is not uncommon in a human case – and although most of us may not know an amputee personally, we have all read the stories or seen a television special on the topic.
Animals are even more resilient than humans, especially in the case of a limb being amputated. Recovery time can take as little as week before the dog is mentally recovered. Of course, the physical trauma may continue as the dog learns to walk with three legs but even the limping, or hopping will eventually disappear. Every dog returns to the persona that they embodied before the amputation.
Watch the video related to amputation
Great video about bandaging a gorgeous new male stump. Wish it would be my stump!
Help answer the question about amputation
How much does a traumatic amputation Hurt?I know that losing a finger or hand or leg in to an accident must be one of the most traumatic things ever. I was in a car accident and have broken a bone and a few cuts, but that must be nothing compared to how much an amputation hurts. Does the body go into some kind of mode where endorphins kick in and it does not hurt so much as it looks. Unfortunately to answer, this must have happened to you.
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Article by Kelly Marshall of Oh My Dog Supplies, check for current specials on unique dog costumes online.
it is hard to say each person is diffferent in how they react. but my husband was 29 years old when he had to have his leg below the knee amputated due to diabetes. i was not married to him at the time this was happening, but it was a long time before he mentally got over it, after he had his leg removed he had 2 kidney transplants the first failed. but i can tell you today he is 43 years old, doing fine mentally and pysically he has an artificial leg and when he walks you can't tell it for a real leg.. just hang in there with your dad he needs all the support he can get and remember he will go through alot of changes mentally and pysicially but it does get better with time. it depends on his outlook of life is to how well he does.. just be there for him and take care of yourself through this or it will get you down too. i wish i knew yuor family personally so my husband could talk to your dad and tell him what he went through. it helps to talk to others..