🦴 What Is an Amputation (in Dogs and Cats)?

Amputation is the surgical removal of a limb (partial or complete) or a portion of a limb (e.g., toe, tail) to improve a pet’s quality of life when the limb is severely diseased, damaged, or painful and cannot be saved.

It may involve:

• Forelimb amputation (entire front leg, including scapula)

• Hindlimb amputation (removal at or above the hip joint)

• Partial amputation (e.g., toes, tail)

🐾 Why Would a Dog or Cat Need an Amputation?

1. Severe Trauma or Injury

• Hit by car, crushed limb, or extensive soft tissue/bone damage

• Nerve damage resulting in a non-functional limb

• Open fractures or wounds that cannot heal or are infected

2. Cancer (Bone or Soft Tissue)

• Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) is a common reason in dogs

• Tumors involving the leg or paw that can't be surgically removed without taking the whole limb

3. Infection or Tissue Death

• Severe infections (e.g., gangrene) that don’t respond to treatment

• Frostbite or necrosis (tissue death)

4. Congenital Deformities or Non-functional Limbs

• Some animals are born with malformed or unusable limbs that cause pain or injury

5. Chronic Pain or Lameness

• Long-term orthopedic or neurological issues that severely affect quality of life and don’t respond to treatment