Customer Reviews

Without Regret: A Handbook for Owners of Canine Amputees

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

How many people would look for a book like this? Yet for those of us faced with a very difficult decision, it is a godsend. My dog Kerby was diagnosed with bone cancer in his right front leg, and because he was not a candidate for palliative radiation, we were faced with two choices: euthanasia or amputation. He was in horrible pain, but he was not ready to die; we had to do something. This book convinced me that amputation was not a hideous choice. Kerby is a big shepherd mix, 12 years old, and I had many doubts; but 2 days after surgery he was ready to jump up into the car (no, we didn't allow it), and a week later jumped up on the couch. Yes, his days of 2 mile walks are over, but he has done so well, and our time together is something so important and special that I find it hard to describe. I urge owners of dogs facing amputation to read this book to gain confidence in your decision. Susan Neal has done a fine job describing what to expect and actions to take.

I suppose some of the literary criticisms I've read in "professional" reviews elsewhere on the web may be valid (hence four stars, instead of five), but I'm inclined to cut the author plenty of slack. After all, there is very little competition among titles in the "canine amputee" section of the book store!

This is obviously a labor of love, intended to help others learn the lessons learned by the author, with fewer hard knocks. I read it cover-to-cover just before our dog's operation, and picked up a number of tips that made things easier for us and our dog. For that I am grateful. It's definitely worth your time and money if you have (or might have) a canine amputee.

If you're reading this, you might be interested to know that our 13-year-old English Shepherd is doing well after losing one of her front legs to bone cancer less than a month ago. The most surprising aspect was her apparent lack of pain. She actually slept on the side of the amputation right away. Apparently, there are few nerve endings there.

As an old dog, she doesn't run around as if all was normal, as some young dogs might. Walking is slow and tiring for her. The best things we did were to buy carpet runners for the kitchen (slippery floors are very difficult for her), and a RuffWear "Webmaster" harness, with two belts under the belly. We use that to help her walk when she's tired, and to get into and out of the car, etc.

We continue to see steady improvement. Most importantly, she wags her tail.

Best wishes to you and your dog.

This book was very helpful when I found out that my dog had cancer. My vet recommended that we amputate a limb. This book was a great help in understanding everything I could expect from the surgery. It also had wonderful referrals for vet schools and I found a trial of free chemo from it. This book is a must for anyone considering amputating a dog's limb.

This book is a must if you have a pet that will go, or has gone through this. It was helpful for our entire family.

Book arrived promptly and in requested condition. The author helps the reader through what is often an emotionally challenging decision, especially if it involves an older companion as ours did. There is a big difference between the making of a hypothetical choice and the process of actually finalizing this treatment option, no matter how confident you may be in your Vet. This book is one of the few non-internet resources that offers this. The one thing we would have liked more preparation for, depending on the place of amputation, is the fact that when your dog attempts to move the amputated limb they will still be moving their shoulder muscles etc. and be perplexed that the former limb in not responding as it did previously. To see that confusion experienced repeatedly is very sad and distressing for the owner. Granted your companion is perplexed but not "grieving" the amputated limb and it is helpful to remind yourself of this fact......often. The author does a good job of helping the reader makes peace with a decision that feels so very counter-intuitive. This book did help us do that when we were limited in time.
* For anyone reading this review we want you to know that while you may eventually feel positive about this legitimate treatment it may take longer than you expect for your companion's activity levels to validate this. Like any athlete they must re-train their remaining limbs to compensate and for some dogs this takes a longer period of time and supportive care.

I got this book to learn more about my three legged dog and what her needs might be. The book helped a lot and was packed with lots of useful information..