title: Short- and long-term outcomes after digit amputation in dogs: 33 cases (1999-2011).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine complications and outcomes for dogs that underwent digit amputation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series and owner survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  33 client-owned dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records of dogs that underwent digit amputation were evaluated. Signalment, digits amputated, level of amputation, reason for amputation, and complications were recorded. Owners were contacted via mail or telephone to collect follow-up information.
  
  
  RESULTS
  35 digit amputation procedures were performed for the 33 dogs in the study (1 dog underwent 3 procedures). Short-term (≤ 14 days) complications other than lameness were detected in dogs after 13 of 33 (39.4%) procedures for which follow-up information was available; incisional dehiscence was the most common short-term complication. Long-term (>14 days) lameness was detected in dogs after 8 of 32 (25.0%) procedures for which follow-up information was available; lameness was mild or intermittent after 6 of these procedures. Amputation of a digit in a hind limb was the only variable that was significantly associated with the development of short-term complications. Twenty-four of 33 (72.7%) owners responded to the survey via mail or telephone interview; 23 (95.8%) of those owners were satisfied with the procedure. Most dogs had a good functional outcome (including dogs that underwent amputation of digit 3 or 4 or both).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Amputation of a hind limb digit was the only risk factor identified for development of short-term complications. Dogs that underwent amputation of digit 3 or 4 or both did not seem to have a worse outcome than dogs that underwent amputation of other digits.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. katelkdvm@gmail.com
authors.forename: Kathryn L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Kaufman
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Mann
mesh_terms: D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D003625:Data Collection; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014034:Toes / Q000601:surgery*