Factory puppy's leg to be amputated

On 26th October 09, I put up this posting: http://animalcare.my/2009/10/more-factory-dogs-to-be-sterilised.html

It was about this factory puppy who had been hit by a vehicle and the factor owners (a Mr Lee and a Mr Chong) had brought him in for treatment. The vets’ first recommendation was to amputate the leg because the femur was already jutting out.

But the factory owners appealed to the vets to try their best to save the leg, so efforts were made to do this.

From time to time, I had popped in to look at this puppy. He is an adorable pup and extremely good-natured. The wound was healing well for the first few days, then it would take a turn for the worse, etc. Its condition just fluctuated between good and bad, hopeful and hopeless.

Apparently, the cleaning had to be done three times a day, and each time, the poor puppy would scream in pain. The vets even attempted an implant, but it did not work out well.

Finally, this morning, Mr Lee called me appealing for help (more like, asking me to make a decision for him). According to him, the vets called him last night and said the wound took a turn for the worst yesterday. A lot of pus flowed out, and infection is fast spreading. If the leg is not amputated, the puppy might lose his life.

I gave Mr Lee two options:

1. I will speak to the vets and get a clearer picture of the situation, and if amputation is the best option, we have no choice but to proceed.

2. We will bring the puppy to another hospital for a second opinion, and if the vets there concur that amputation is the best, we will still proceed in order to save the puppy’s life.

Mr Lee was undecided, so in between settling the Three Musketeers, I went to see the vets. The vet in charge of this puppy explained they had already tried for three weeks but the puppy is now not responding to the treatment anymore, and infection is setting in. The puppy might lose its life if we delay amputation.

I explained this to Mr Lee and said we would bring the puppy immediately for a second opinion, but if amputation is the best, we cannot delay anymore. As it is, the first vets have already fasted the puppy, in preparation for surgery this afternoon.

Finally, it was decided jointly by Mr Lee and Mr Chong that it would be amputation. We do not want to prolong the puppy’s suffering.

Here’s the puppy. You won’t know how loving and sweet-natured he is until you meet him. He warms right up to you, and steals your heart completely.

Here’s the troubled leg. The poor little thing is already using only three legs now.

Surgery has been scheduled for this afternoon, at 4pm.

Please send positive healing energy to Puppykins and wish him well.

Will update you when we receive news.

Mr Lee was also very worried that they do not have a place for the puppy to recuperate after surgery because he was formally one of their factory dogs. If you can offer space for the puppy to recover after surgery, and to look after him, please contact me.

We will help put the puppy up for adoption though we know how hard it would be for a three-legged dog to be rehomed. But we can try…

It that fails, we still need a temporary fosterer for his recovery, and later, return him to the factory. I have advised Mr Lee to purchase a cage for him until he is fit and healthy to be released.

Factory puppy’s leg to be amputated