For the rear leg, there are two main techniques that are commonly used. The first is a “high femur” amputation that results in a short, well-padded stump at the level of the rump/thigh. The muscles of the mid-thigh are cut and the femur (thighbone) is cut close to the hip. When the tissues are sewn together, this provides good padding for the pelvis when the pet is lying down and offers a cosmetic appearance by maintaining symmetry of the rump area. The second technique is often used when the disease of the rear leg is in the thigh area; the leg is removed at the hip joint, only the pelvis and the surrounding muscles remain. This amputation technique is very successful as well, with slightly less padding over the amputation site and a less symmetrical appearance.