That might not be in time to help this particular dog, but it would be better than having the same frantic scrabble around every time something similar happens.

My local equivalent of you would be on the phone to us pretty well as soon as they’d assessed the dog.

The clinic might be well placed to promote donations to the rescue organisation (hint, hint if anyone from Village Vets is reading this).

believe me, no one is going to argue that amputation is painful.

But an un-stable femur fracture is also incredibly painful.

A dog with a necrotic foot is and has been in horrendous pain.

A dog with severe arthritis that will not even permit the leg to be touched is living with horrendous pain. Ditto for the dog with an unset, badly healed fracture or a severe angular deformity.

I’ve had all of these to deal with in rescue (well, a tib-fib break, not a femur), and in the cases of those for whom amputation was an option, they all displayed less pain almost immediately after the limb was removed. The dog with the necrosis and the angular deformity dog were both up and moving better in a few days than they had been before surgery. They seemed relieved to be rid of the thing.

In this theoretical case, we are not talking about a healthy limb. It’s a broken femur. The dog is reported to howl in pain if he tries to rise, even with meds onboard. If at all possible, fixing that leg pronto is the way to go.

But if we are talking life or death, then if amputation could be done for a third to half the cost of repair, it needs to be discussed. With his other fracture however, it may not be a viable choice.

As for tail docks done on adults, I have 22 years involved in rescue with a screw tailed breed and I have been down that road a dozen times. All I have to say is ” Laser!”. Honestly, the use of a laser to surgically help remove the tail has changed a horrific, messy, very painful procedure to a clean, dry and only moderately painful one, easily managed. Talk about a game changer!

I am sorry to hear about your girlfriend and her experience. All I can say is that dogs and cats, when adequate pain control is used, seem to recover from the procedure astonishingly well.

My large Coonhound had his tail docked as an adult, medical reasons, and it was painful. He would moan and I’d up the pain meds.

I can’t imagine a dog’s leg amputated and not being traumatic for the animal.

I wish all dogs could be saved and loved with homes and these tough decisions were not a part of reality, but they are. Money is tight and vets are pressed into these moral dilemmas. I’m glad I don’t have to make the decision. But no one can make it for the vet, not even us, it is up to each Vets conscience and resources.

However, having worked in rescue lately, finding a rescue to take him may be tough. Funds are quite scarce right now. It can be done, though. Thus, I can’t see not taking option B given his theoretical personality, size, and prognosis, with a donation box in the lobby and active searching for a rescue org.

All that said, surgery on his leg entails what in recovery time? Are you setting the bone with pins/screws and then a cast from the hip down? How much time for crate rest? What needs to be done in rehab? In the immediate, will his recovery need more or less from the ER staff compared with the status quo?

You will be hearing from my attorney.

So you’ve totally rejected the option of having the dog moved to Raul’s regular vet as was suggested several posters?

No, OP, that was a good one - but I had to chose something. I wanted to have a few different viewpoints on the actors in this one. If we run this again sometime, I can throw that in the mix.

Is there a less expensive treatment option, like amputation?
And combine with fundraising?

Reasonable choice - artfully discussed by JenniferJ. I agree with her. We hate to take the leg if it can be saved, but it is an option that shouldn’t be tossed out the window out of course.

My experience is that many vet practices will cut a deal for rescue orgs - either at or near cost for procedures. In such a scenario, the ER (WHY is this dog STILL at the ER?) vet clinic doesn’t make money - or at least not much. But they are also not LOSING the entire amount it takes to care for this dog, which was the basis for the objection of the ER practice partner. The rescue org pays for the treatment - they just don’t pay as much as owner clientele would pay.

Good point, OP - I just left the dog here for continuity and to throw a spanner in the works. Makes for some good theoretical ethical stickiness, no? I agree with your comments - most vet hospitals will offer a secret deal to rescue orgs in order to help in situations like this. It can be a mess of red tape and unreturned phone calls unless you have an in with the organization.

The nice thing about the recues is that they often have a great network of caring people who know how to get stuff done - they are often willing to provide potential owners or foster homes, too.

I lOVE the interaction so far - thank you all so much and happy holidays to all of you!