On 30 August, Ellana writes:

Dear Friends of Pirata:

Thank you so much for your tremendous outpouring of encouragement and support for our brave Rescue Airedale pup. As you know, it was our hope to restore mobility to his injured front leg, but after consultations with some of the premier vet specialists in the country, we learned that Pirata is not a good candidate for arthrodesis surgery because there is no nerve activity in his paw. We therefore have decided to have his leg amputated so that he can grow to adulthood with the best quality of life possible. This was not an easy decision to make.

Yesterday, Loree Primeau (one of our long-time volunteers) & I took Pirata to Gulf Coast Veterinary Center, the referral center for our area. Our initial appointment was with Dr. Longshore, a neurologist. He carefully examined Pirata to determine the status of the nerves in Pirata's right front leg and paw. You will see from his report that there is no nerve activity in the paw and part way up the leg. He doesn't think that sensation and muscle innervation will return. Because the sensation will not return, the prognosis for successful arthrodesis surgery is poor.

Without feeling in his paw, Pirata would never walk well and would scrape his paw, which would continue to turn under to some degree. Because it wouldn't hurt, he could injure himself and not realize it.

After observing Pirata walk up and down the hallway, Dr. Longshore ordered x-rays. First the techs did the right paw and leg. Then, after he consulted with two of the orthopedic specialists, they also x-rayed Pirata's left leg. Pirata's right leg is slightly shorter than his left. His right 'elbow' isn't perfect and because of this, all three doctors felt that leg-sparing surgery would cause him problems in the future. Over time, the stress on his other leg joints would lead to damage and arthritis. It doesn't come through in the dry wording of the vet's report, but Dr. Longshore strongly recommended that we amputate the leg.

Even if he had been a good candidate for arthrodesis, Pirata would have to undergo at least three separate surgical procedures starting immediately. The first would have cut the tendons to allow a special splint to be fitted. He would have to wear this 24/7, impeding his ability to run & jump & play and the surgery would cause him pain. Then, when Pirata was full grown, the surgeon would have to correct the leg bone to put it into alignment with the paw. Finally, the arthrodesis would be done. With rehabilitation, the whole process could have taken a year or more to complete.

When we are faced with cruel decisions like this, it is hard to put aside our own emotions and really focus on what is best for the dog. For Pirata, what's best is for him is to be a puppy, not an invalid. Because he is young & resilient, we have every reason to believe that he will make a full recovery from amputation and a relatively easy adjustment to three-leggedness. Please keep him in your thoughts over the coming weeks and months. We will update you on his progress and when is surgery is scheduled.

Again, thank you for your concern and your donations.

I posted the medical report from the neurologist HERE. Click on it to enlarge it.

Christine adds:

Dear Ellana & all,

While the news for Pirata is not what any of us would have wished, I commend Ellana and her team for the amount of time & study they have put into the decision. We could all sit back and 'what if' the situation to death - but the reality is that most of us have never put hands on the dog and even fewer of us are vets qualified to make the tough choice.

Lots of qualified vets have studied the situation and all options. I am in favor of taking their advice which we sought with several second opinions.

Quality of life is important for all of us-- human 38; canine. It sounds like the Pirata has the best chance of a long happy, pain-free life with the amputation.

Thank you, Ellana, for doing what is best for Pirata - even when it is hard.

Jackie McGuinness tells us:

I have seen a dog (x breed) with this type of injury and it dragged the front of its foot along the ground; this would be like us dragging the back of our hand along the ground. The dog felt no pain but its foot was a weeping sore and and gangrene set in then the foot was removed but that was worse and the dog kept falling over, so the leg was removed at the shoulder and the dog made a full recovery.

I've also seen an a'dale with a front leg amputated following a car accident when he was two; he lived to 13 years and ruled the pub his owners had and was a real character around the village ,so I'm sure Pirata will have a long and happy life on three legs and will always be the centre of attention wherever he goes.

Thanks to Ellana and all the people who have worked hard on his behalf and on behalf of the group members who are too far away to offer any physical help

Monica Mahn adds her experience:

My very first dog, Skeena, had radial nerve damage and dragged her leg. We hoped that the nerve would heal and she'd recover enough to use it. She also had a perpetually open sore that no bandage would stay on. Constant cleaning, treating for infections, finally gangrene . . . and one night she started to chew her paw right off. It was awful. She would have been much better to have had the amputation immediately.

The night before surgery

And the next day comes the news from Christine:

I heard from Ellana that Pirata's surgery will begin tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. Please send major Zen to him & Ellana both.

As a good omen, I met a three-legged dog at the vet's tonight. He is 11 years old. His owner says he still catches a Frisbee at a full run and countersurfs. His accident and amputation occurred when he was two.

The next day, Ellana sends out the news:

Our sweet rescue pup had his leg amputated this morning. By 11:30 we had heard from the clinic that he came through surgery very well.

Keep the Zen coming - he won't be at home with us until tomorrow at the earliest or Saturday at the latest. It is very quiet here without him.

Ellana & Bonnie (I'm preparing his hospital bed and polishing up my nursing skills) & Rugby (awwwww, I miss the little fellow)

Ready to go home

On Friday, Ellana sends out the news: PIRATA IS COMING HOME

I spoke with Dr. Aguila, Pirata is ready to come home. He is walking, has a good appetite and is BORED. I'll pick him up at 2:30 pm. He will have pain relief, no collar (yet) , and NO RESTRICTIONS on his activities. He is good to go. Isn't that wonderful news?

I suspect he will now be even a more active puppy.

Late that evening: PIRATA IS HOME

The wild childe is more than fine. At the vet's they let him loose to RUN over to me. Run over he did and jumped on my lap and gave me kisses!

I just laughed with joy when I saw him.

We came home and he was so happy to be here, to see Bonnie & Rugby and to have toys. We were back by 3:30 pm and he just now is sleeping (it is 9:30 here).

It was the best decision to amputate. He is moving better without the dangly paw, can jump higher and run faster (fooling Bonnie by the way - he caught up with her in a game of tag), and do everything else so well. I am amazed.

We have pain pills & anti-inflammatory stuff. He gets a pain pill every 12 hours and just had the dose. That is probably why he is asleep! His incision is very clean looking and so far he hasn't worried it.

Bonnie & Rugby are being very good. Bonnie is a motherly type so is in her element. I expect she will sleep next to Pirata's crate tonight again. As Bonnie likes her comforts, this is a sacrifice for her to sleep on a hard kitchen floor. I just love her.

Home at last!

Thanks for all the donations; please keep them coming (I saw the bill today).

To which Christine adds:

Thank you all for your generous support of Pirata! The bill for the amputation was just over the amount raised so far. Amazing & wonderful!

He had other pre-surgical bills and he will have expenses for follow-up care, but the big bill has been paid through the generosity of the caring Airedale community.

CONTINUE WITH THE STORY OF PIRATA HERE