Limb Amputation in Dogs and Cats

What It Is, Why It's Needed, What to Expect, and How We Support You

Why Might Your Pet Need This Surgery?

Limb amputation may be recommended in cases where a leg is severely injured, infected, painful, or affected by a tumor. Common reasons for amputation include:

  • Irreparable fractures or trauma
  • Cancer such as osteosarcoma
  • Chronic, non-healing wounds or infections
  • Neurologic dysfunction of the limb
  • Severe congenital deformities

Most pets adapt well to life on three legs, especially when pain is controlled and mobility is supported.

Referrals Required for This Surgery

Our hospital does not provide diagnostic or consultation services for limb amputation. Instead, your pet’s care is transferred to us once a referring veterinarian has performed the diagnostic workup and recommended surgery.

We require a referral for the following reasons:

  • The decision to pursue surgery should be made with your primary veterinarian, who knows your pet's medical history, has completed the necessary diagnostics (such as x-rays or ultrasound), and can discuss the full range of treatment options with you.
  • Our surgical team's role begins after surgery has been advised. We do not offer in-clinic imaging, diagnostics, or pre-surgical consultations.
  • A referral allows us to prioritize patient safety by reviewing complete records and understanding the medical background before proceeding with anesthesia and surgery.

What qualifies as a referral?

We're flexible. A referral can be as simple as:

  • A shared set of medical records from your veterinarian
  • A treatment plan indicating that surgery has been recommended
  • A brief summary emailed, texted, or faxed from your vet's team
  • Direct communication between our team and your rDVM

Our team will review the records in advance, and if we have any questions, we'll reach out directly to the referring clinic.

If you're a pet owner, please talk with your veterinarian first about whether surgery is the right option. Once that decision is made, we're here to provide safe, compassionate, and efficient surgical care.

What Does the Surgery Involve?

Amputation involves removal of either a forelimb (entire front leg including scapula) or hindlimb (at or above the femur). The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, and your pet receives full perioperative pain control, fluid therapy, and monitoring.

The incision is closed in layers, and soft bandaging may be applied depending on the surgical site.

Are There Alternatives?

In some cases, conservative management such as wound care, splinting, or palliative treatment may be considered. However, when pain or dysfunction is severe or cancer is present, amputation is often the most humane and effective solution.

What Are the Benefits?

  • Relief from pain or loss of limb function
  • Removal of infected, cancerous, or non-viable tissue
  • Improved quality of life and mobility post-recovery
  • Humane solution when other treatments are not feasible

What Are the Risks?

  • Anesthetic complications
  • Bleeding, infection, or wound breakdown
  • Phantom limb pain or temporary imbalance
  • Delayed mobility adjustment
  • Need for emergency care in rare cases of post-op collapse or shock

What's Included in Our Surgical Care

Limb Amputation Surgery Package: $1,170.00

Price includes:

  • A personalized anesthesia plan with multimodal pain control
  • IV catheter placement and fluids
  • Anesthesia and multiparameter monitoring
  • Limb amputation and surgical wound management
  • Post-op stabilization and in-clinic recovery
  • Take-home medications (pain control and/or antibiotics)
  • Discharge instructions and recovery plan

When Additional Care Is Needed

In some cases, pets require more intensive or ongoing care after surgery. Because we are an outpatient only clinic, transfer to an overnight hospital may be recommended.

Pets may need overnight care, especially if:

  • They are slow to recover from anesthesia due to age, size, or preexisting conditions
  • They are painful or unsteady on three legs and need mobility support
  • They experience bleeding, swelling, or delayed wound healing
  • They require additional IV pain medication or close monitoring

If this happens, we will coordinate a transfer to an emergency or specialty facility, and any costs associated with that transfer and continued care will be the owner's responsibility.

Aftercare: What to Expect at Home

Your pet will go home with:

  • Prescription medications for pain and infection control
  • Instructions for activity restriction and wound care
  • Details on when to return for recheck or suture removal

Most pets start to feel better quickly once the infection is removed, but healing takes time. We're here to help every step of the way.

Have Questions?

Please reach out to our team. We are happy to review records, coordinate with your veterinarian, and guide you through this process.