Amputation

The most common reason for limb amputation in pets is cancer that affects the leg. Osteosarcoma, a cancer of the bone, can form in the leg and cause tremendous pain and lead to fractures. Severe trauma that involves multiple fractures and/or the loss of a significant amount of soft tissue is another common reason for amputation.

Quality of life actually improves after amputation because the source of pain and discomfort is removed. In many cases, the pet is already used to shifting his weight to three limbs because the affected leg was too painful or sensitive to walk on. Most pets do remarkably well with only three legs and quality of life greatly improves once they are no longer in pain