pups cast off early -advice

[B.P.R 2,798]

the pups cast came off yesterday, she was just in too much pain with it. shes had in on for about 3 1/2 weeks but she got serious compression sores which got infected, she was back and forth to the vets literally every 2 days for her cast to be changed. they put bandages on it but that was doing jack shit. the cast went back on, on saturday and by monday she was in pain again. its not ideal being kept up all night until she finally manages to go asleep. but thats not waht was bothering me, its that she was in pain.

 

Apparently shes outgrowing the cast so quick and they couldnt splint it.

i thought anough was enough, the poor wee thing is only 18 weeks old and was getting knocked out/sedated evry couple of days which meant she was getting starved the night before and couldnt eat the next day until late on. she lost serious weight over this period.

 

back at the vets and they xrayed her and said it had almost healed and because of the sores they would leave the cast off, she is cage bound for 1 week and goes back for xrays on tuesday. they might put a cast on then if theyre not satisfied or leave it off for more confinement. she was flat out last night, slept like a log and didnt move a muscle until she needed a wee at 6 so she must of been a lot more comfortable.

 

the pups holding her leg up which i guess is natural after just having a cast on.(i dont want her using the leg, just asking if this is right?)

 

also there is swelling in the leg, and it looks a bit mis-shaped to me. xrays showed that it was in line though.

 

heres a couple of pics, the sores are a lot better but its still not right.

 

anybody had a similar experience?

[skycat 6,174]

I think I warned you that this would happen in a pm. My own pup, at 15-16 weeks, when he broke his toe, had such a deformed leg after I took the cast off early, that I thought it would never come right. It did come right. Providing the bones have knitted together in the right way, there shouldn't be a problem. I know it looks bad now, but believe me, your pup's leg is nowhere near as bent and twisted as mine was. Took about 2-3 months to come right. Take her on short walks on the lead, she needs to start walking again. If you can get the pup to a greyhound vet then do so: they'll be able to give you a better idea about physio than a pet dog vet.

[B.P.R 2,798]

thanks for that. yeah i remember your pm. still didnt stop me being like when i seen it.

 

the bones healed enough but not fully so shes not to touch it for another few weeks. the guy i got her off is going to put me in touch with a greyhound vet who will hopefully advise me on this.

[Rake aboot 4,936]

Poor wee mite,,

 

Agree about the greyhound vet though,, much more of a clue regards physio etc,,

[B.P.R 2,798]

[6pack 60]

Personally, i wouldn't be taking her on any walks at all just yet, and when you toilet her, a towel to support her back end so she doesnt put any weight on yet.

Poor wee thing, must be so sore.

[littlefish 587]

I'd a pup broke its hock at 12 weeks - it was splinted and the strapping fell off/was pulled off every few days. With strict cage restriction and rest it healed perfectly. She is 10 years old now and has never once limped on it in all that time. She still has a few wee bald spots/scars around the hock - much like yours looks like. Keep it on a lead and don't encouarge it to run wild too soon. Good luck.

[bryson 562]

good luck with the pup mate

[sinderman 2]

Our pup broke his leg at 12 weeks old and spent 6 weeks having 'Robert Jones' bandages changed every 3 days due to compression sores. The sores became infected and were quite deep and nasty; however, the sores soon healed once the bandages were off for good (although he still has the scars).

 

When the bandages came off, he held his leg up off the floor and would hop (he did this for a few months too). We panicked thinking he would never walk properly again especially as his leg looked twisted when the bandages came off. For ages, his leg stuck out to the side!!

 

However, in time he stopped hopping and walked, albeit with a limp, and then in time he stopped limping. He's almost a year old now and is making a good rabbiting dog. He walks/runs normal and accept for the scars, you wouldn't know that he had ever broke his leg.

 

All the best to yours and fingers crossed for a good outcome. Remember that time is a good healer, don't rush him.

 

Roger

[skycat 6,174]

This advice might help, although it is written for humans, all mammals are the same and have similar dietary and exercise requirements.

http://www.foodandlife.com/healingbonesresearch.htm

[B.P.R 2,798]

Thanks for the advice guys and girls. The pup is not walking anywhere 6pack, she's cage bound until I get told otherwise, carried out for a pee and stood on a lead. Don't know what you mean about the towel?

 

I've got some intrasite gel and put it on her cuts, hopefully this might stop some scarring. If she has a nicely healed leg as all she has to show for the experience is a few scars then I will be happy with that.

 

Sounds like others have had the same/similar experiences and came out smelling of roses so there is a good chance she will come good. She's getting the best I can give her so fingers crossed.

[chook1 184]

Once you get the all clear, it could be worth you looking in to hydro/swimming for her,

it will help build up the leg, without putting to much pressure on it to soon.

[wirral countryman 2,110]

A good greyhound vet is what the dog needs,my 3/4 cross had her leg broke at a similar age and went on to be an excellent bitch,it was her back leg and certainly did'nt need expensive hydrotherapy pools,etc,quality food,good diet and light exercise is all it should need,massage the leg lots of times during the day before and after its walk,stretching and moving it to encourage full movement back into the leg,this should only be done after the vet has given you the all clear to start rehab,take it slow and steady and providing the bone has been set right then things should be right before you know it,my bitch could jump anything and never struggled in the field,good luck.WM

[B.P.R 2,798]

thanks for that

[Guest annette jackman]

My dog spent 15 weeks in plaster, and was limping for quite sometime after, think it was used to limping and continued if you get what i mean. The pressure sores get some sterile water from boots about 50p a pack and bath a couple of times a day, dont worry if she loses the pad, mine did but it grow back ok, just alittle flat which she a justed to. Just rest her for a few weeks and see how it goes then road walk her start her off on short walks, then build up and make sure if the leg is wet you fully dry it to stop it becoming stiff. I also added cod liver oil to my dogs feed and garlic which helps with infection. Hope every thing goes well, and she recovers for you, nice looking pup. Good Luck

Edited September 22, 2011 by annette jackman