Yorkie with broken front legs

[ChibiLuv]

Yes it's legs, as in both of them. The rescue I work for recently rescued a 3 month old yorkie pup and now we found he has broken both his front legs, it is an old injury too, he may have been broken 4-6 weeks already. They are going to fix one leg at a time, fixing the worse of the two first then seeing how that heals. I was thinking of fostering him while he recovers but I've never had a broken dog before. My main worry would be my girl Molli, she likes to play and plays rough. I wonder if he would heal better here or in the shelter. Has anyone been through rehabbing a dog like this? I want to help him but I don't want to make things worse for him. Plus there would be days when he might be in his kennel for 4-5 hours. Of course at the shelter it'd be longer than that. I wouldn't think anyone else would offer to foster especially if he needs physical therapy And he still might not make it I'm just so torn. If he weren't a puppy I would be more eager to try

[Verbena]

If you have the time to help with the physical therapy I would say do it. . . I think that pup would love to have someone loving them while he heals. You can put him in an expen to separate him from Molli. You are an angel for thinking about him

[ladyjane]

I hope this rescue has very deep pockets and a generous donor base. This puppy really should be in the care of a highly skilled orthopedic surgeon. The front leg injuries are often difficult to repair depending on where the fractures are....the reason being they are tiny bones with smaller amount of blood flow. Couple that with the fact that they are old injuries. He will more than likely need bone grafting.

If they cannot provide this type of care for him, I strongly urge you to speak with them about reaching out to a group that can.

As for crating...that is really what he needs. He is sadly going to be crated for a very long time since both legs will be done separately. Forget about physical therapy...he is a long way from that right now. What a terribly sad situation. I will pray that things work out ok.

[ChibiLuv]

They are taking him to get surgery by a specialist on Friday. I know it'll be awhile but once it's time I'm probably one of the few people that could rehab him. I know I will have to keep him separated, it'll be an adjustment for everyone I'm sure. I just wonder if he would heal quicker out of the shelter environment. If I don't foster he will be in a cage in the shelter the whole time, our physical therapist only comes once or twice a week too

[Wylie's Mom]

Aw, poor little kiddo, how heartbreaking . I have no experience in breaks, so I don't have any advice there. How did this happen to this little guy?

Do you have a link to the rescue?

[ladyjane]

He may not need rehab. I rarely have to rehab my ortho pups. Once they are repaired, they run and play and rebuild the muscles.
He certainly could benefit from being in a home, but he still needs to be crated during his recovery.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Aw, poor little kiddo, how heartbreaking . I have no experience in breaks, so I don't have any advice there. How did this happen to this little guy?

Do you have a link to the rescue?

Probably jumped or was dropped. It really is terrible and what a sad start for a puppy.

[Yorkieblues]

I think your heart is in the right place. It sounds like you have a resource to help you through any tough spots and I think he would benefit from a loving home environment. That's my 2 cents worth. I say go for it.

[horsnaround]

I would say your home would be a much more pleasant place to be. Just having someone to love him all the time has to help the healing I hope you decide to. Keep us updated

[katy-yorkie]

I agree with having him in your home as opposed to the shelter. You can keep the two dogs separated. He will benefit from a home environment where he can get almost one on one care and attention. Please follow the doctors orders about keeping him crated, taking him out on a leash, etc. Prayers for the little guy.

[ChibiLuv]

Thanks for the advise. He is at www.operationkindness.org
I am glad we are at least fixing him, most rescues would have looked at the surgery price and run away. I mostly am just worried because I've never had a broken dog, I am experienced and would follow instruction to the letter but you know, worry wort we don't know how it happened though I'm betting money he was dropped. The horrible part is who ever had him broke him, left him broken for weeks then dropped him at a high kill shelter.
Has anyone fostered or owned a double broken dog? Any other tips would be appeciated.

[ladyjane]

I foster broken pups all of the time. The most important thing is to follow the vet's instructions. The pups always seem to handle it pretty well. I have never had a pup with bilateral fractures; but I did have one who had to have surgery on both hips at the same time. I was really surprised at how well he did. They have such amazing spirits.
I think the most difficult part with this one will be keeping him quiet since he is so young; but it will be so important for his well being.
Good luck if you decide to foster him.

[ChibiLuv]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I foster broken pups all of the time. The most important thing is to follow the vet's instructions. The pups always seem to handle it pretty well. I have never had a pup with bilateral fractures; but I did have one who had to have surgery on both hips at the same time. I was really surprised at how well he did. They have such amazing spirits.
I think the most difficult part with this one will be keeping him quiet since he is so young; but it will be so important for his well being.
Good luck if you decide to foster him.

Thanks, that actually eases my mind a bit. I am just so worried he won't do well. I think I could keep him quieter here than we could at the shelter with everyone coming and going all the time. He is a puppy though, that will be the hardest part.

[CouversMom]

I think he would do best in a home, but you would have to keep him crated to keep him safe. Good luck in your decision... It won't be an easy one!

[kimp5]

My Jess had a broken front leg radius and ulna. Due to stupid vet number one she was casted for 5 weeks with no result. They then wanted to amputate and I said "no way" I whisked her out of there. She went to an amazing ortho surgeon who bone grafted and put plates and screws in. Then the fun part. No walking for 6 weeks, and I mean none. I kept her in a medium crate. I put furniture pads on the sides and floor. I lowered the ceiling by making a drop ceiling out of wood and foam. She had room for a pee pad bed and food bowls. She only came out on my lap or in a stroller. I also had a doggy purse that her little feet came out of and hung down that a I carried her around the yard in. 6 weeks later to the astoundment of the surgeon both her radius and ulna healed. Fast forward a year later she runs around like it never happened. She is not allowed to jump on furniture ever and she doesn't.
I think she would be much better off with you as long as she can be separated from your other dog at all times. Its too bad they cant just do both at once. I would also get some dog tranquilizers for those times they just cant settle. Those were a big help. Its really hard but worth it..