A Heartbreaking Decision: Amputate or Euthanase

For many of us our pets are one of the most comforting things about returning home. They are the first things we look for when we step over the threshold at night and the last things we check on before we leave again in the morning. To a certain extent we quite often take their presence for granted. It's not until they appear out of sorts that we are confronted with what life would be like without them. It's a fact that we will outlive many of our furry friends, but our hearts' desire is that they will be around until they are as old as they can be. Life is seldom that straight forward. We all know the pain of losing one of our animal companions before their expected expiry date, whether by illness or accident, circumstances that are beyond our control.
However, there are times when we are the ones who must make a decision for our pet's life. Our 12 year old cat, Jessie, was recently diagnosed with a malignant tumor in his front leg. What the vet originally diagnosed as an abscess, soon turned into a life-threatening condition. On the upside the tumor was 'localised', meaning there was a very slim chance it would spread through his body. On the downside we had two choices - amputate the limb or put him to sleep. A heartbreaking decision, either way. Friends and family believed it would be cruel to amputate. The vet was positive - cats cope with amputation much better than dogs. I myself did not feel it was Jessie's 'time' to go. Yes, he was 12 years old but he still had a healthy appetite and he was not sick per say, outside of suffering the pain of a limb that was now three times it's normal size. Once the biopsy results were in, a decision had to be made. Against the opinion of those around me, I chose to amputate.
The day after I brought Jess home, he was jumping up on furniture again. Eight days later he jumped the fence into the front yard, just like always. I'm not saying he's unchanged - animals experience emotions and pain just like we do and with a lot of love and care, it will take some time for him to heal and to adjust to his new situation. But it was the right decision to make, however horrendous it seemed at the time.
Nothing can replace proper medical attention, but nowadays we have the advantage of seeking holistic/alternative remedies as support or preventative treatments for our pets, especially in times of change, trauma or illness. Massage, acupuncture, herbal medicine, vitamins, even flower essences can all contribute to the overall healing/wellbeing of our treasured friends. For holistic veterinary practitioners in your area, trying searching 'holistic pet care'. Consultations can be done over the phone or by way of email. If your pet has recently undergone surgery or is suffering an illness you will quite possibly need to refer to test results provided by your vet in order for the holistic practitioner to prescribe a course of treatment. These types of consultations are not free of charge, however, which can put further strain on finances already stretched by unexpected vet bills. If in doubt over what treatments will benefit your pet, always seek the advice of a qualified practitioner first.