Update On Willow's Broken Leg Surgery - YorkieTalk.com Forums

BellaWillow · 12-28-2006, 07:01 PM

Willow and I just want to thank everyone who sent us their well wishes, loves, and hugs as we have had to endure the ordeal of her getting dropped by the little boy who came to visit at Christmas and now her surgery at the University of Minnesota.

Willow had her plate and pins put in this morning at 9:00 a.m. and they called us at 1:00 p.m. and said that she was in recovery, waking up, a little groggy, and the surgical nurse had snuggled with her and she was receptive. Her vitals were good and they were very optimistic. The surgeon would be calling later to let us know about the procedure he performed.

We got his call later today and he said everything was perfect. Her tibia and fibula were both snapped in two just like the x-rays showed and he did a 4 inch incision and a plate and pins on the larger bone to fuse it together. She will be in the hospital until Saturday afternoon. She will be coming home with no cast, no bandages, just stitches and a cone so she can't lick . . . lovely! She will have her sutures removed in 10-14 days, but will have to remain in a cat carrier for four weeks. She can only have room to stand up turn around and lay back down. She can come out and go into a larger carrier to eat, and potty and then right back into the small carrier. After four weeks she can go into the medium size carrier for two weeks, and then after that she can go into the larger carrier for another two weeks. After eight weeks she can walk around from room to room with absolutely no running or jumping . . . just walking. I think he said at 10-12 weeks we will be back to normal.

The doctor said that if I follow these rules there should be no reason Willow won't see a 100% recovery. She will probably have to endure another surgery to have her plate removed in 3-6 months because the little dogs don't tolerate plates and pins as well as the big dogs because there is not enough skin to go around it. The second surgery is not as evasive though.

Thank you again for all your support and maybe you can give us some pointers as to how we are going to make the next 10-12 weeks tolerable for both Willow and her momma.

LuvMySissy · 12-28-2006, 07:28 PM

I'm so glad to hear that her surgery went well. Sounds like the recovery process will be difficult for both of you. Poor baby needing to be crated for soooo long. Are you able to keep her on your lap at all?? Please give her lots of hugs and kisses from all of us and tell her to be a good baby so she can get back to normal!!!

LittleFurbabies · 12-28-2006, 07:30 PM

Sorry, I don't have any tips to add, I just wanted to say that I'm glad to hear that she's doing ok. Are you going to ask the parents for vet bills? They should contribute something. Much love/luck to you and Willow!

Connie · 12-28-2006, 07:42 PM

Ahhh...poor little Willow and poor you! First of all, I'm so glad her surgery went well...bless her heart! The recovery time is going to be very hard for you and Willow. If only they could understand it would be so much easier. I hope you can at least take her out and carefully hold her now and then. Maddie and I send get well wishes and lots of kisses!

BellaWillow · 12-28-2006, 07:51 PM

Thank you all for your love and support for Willow and I. As far as the $2,800.00 hospital bill . . . I wrote out the check. I don't think the mother of the kid is going to pay anything. She cannot even fathom the extreme nature of this injury and what Willow and I will be having to go through for the next four to six months. Her son dropped him and she paid the $378.00 at the emergency vet for the initial x-rays and pain medication and cast and she thinks it's over as far as she is concerned. I'm not going to harbor any ill feelings towards her . . . but her kids won't be coming over to my house ever again. Willow is my baby and you can't put a price on the love that I feel for this sweet little yorkie puppy that has totally melted my heart.

LunasMomma · 12-29-2006, 06:11 PM

So glad her surgery went well! I have no advice for you on how to keep her contained and entertained, but wish you all the best

It's probably going to be harder on you that it will be on Willow. I'm so glad that she's okay!

12-28-2006, 07:01 PM	#1
BellaWillow Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Apple Valley, Minnesota Posts: 79	Update On Willow's Broken Leg Surgery Willow and I just want to thank everyone who sent us their well wishes, loves, and hugs as we have had to endure the ordeal of her getting dropped by the little boy who came to visit at Christmas and now her surgery at the University of Minnesota. Willow had her plate and pins put in this morning at 9:00 a.m. and they called us at 1:00 p.m. and said that she was in recovery, waking up, a little groggy, and the surgical nurse had snuggled with her and she was receptive. Her vitals were good and they were very optimistic. The surgeon would be calling later to let us know about the procedure he performed. We got his call later today and he said everything was perfect. Her tibia and fibula were both snapped in two just like the x-rays showed and he did a 4 inch incision and a plate and pins on the larger bone to fuse it together. She will be in the hospital until Saturday afternoon. She will be coming home with no cast, no bandages, just stitches and a cone so she can't lick . . . lovely! She will have her sutures removed in 10-14 days, but will have to remain in a cat carrier for four weeks. She can only have room to stand up turn around and lay back down. She can come out and go into a larger carrier to eat, and potty and then right back into the small carrier. After four weeks she can go into the medium size carrier for two weeks, and then after that she can go into the larger carrier for another two weeks. After eight weeks she can walk around from room to room with absolutely no running or jumping . . . just walking. I think he said at 10-12 weeks we will be back to normal. The doctor said that if I follow these rules there should be no reason Willow won't see a 100% recovery. She will probably have to endure another surgery to have her plate removed in 3-6 months because the little dogs don't tolerate plates and pins as well as the big dogs because there is not enough skin to go around it. The second surgery is not as evasive though. Thank you again for all your support and maybe you can give us some pointers as to how we are going to make the next 10-12 weeks tolerable for both Willow and her momma. Last edited by BellaWillow; 12-28-2006 at 07:05 PM.

12-28-2006, 07:28 PM	#2
LuvMySissy Luv my Angel, too! Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 8,214	I'm so glad to hear that her surgery went well. Sounds like the recovery process will be difficult for both of you. Poor baby needing to be crated for soooo long. Are you able to keep her on your lap at all?? Please give her lots of hugs and kisses from all of us and tell her to be a good baby so she can get back to normal!!! __________________ Jodie, Sissy & Angel Proudly dressin' your furkids at: www.sissyangelwear.com Members of the CRAZY Club!

12-28-2006, 07:42 PM	#4
Connie Loved by Maddie & Libby Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: North Dakota Posts: 7,077	Ahhh...poor little Willow and poor you! First of all, I'm so glad her surgery went well...bless her heart! The recovery time is going to be very hard for you and Willow. If only they could understand it would be so much easier. I hope you can at least take her out and carefully hold her now and then. Maddie and I send get well wishes and lots of kisses! __________________ Custom doggie dresses and vests Memory is a country where I can go to see your face - but where do I go when I miss your embrace?

12-29-2006, 06:11 PM	#6
LunasMomma Izzy's Momma Too! Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Stuart, Florida Posts: 5,023	So glad her surgery went well! I have no advice for you on how to keep her contained and entertained, but wish you all the best It's probably going to be harder on you that it will be on Willow. I'm so glad that she's okay! __________________ Card Carrying Member of the Crazy AND Pink Clubs

12-28-2006, 07:30 PM	#3
LittleFurbabies YT Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 255	Sorry, I don't have any tips to add, I just wanted to say that I'm glad to hear that she's doing ok. Are you going to ask the parents for vet bills? They should contribute something. Much love/luck to you and Willow!

12-28-2006, 07:51 PM	#5
BellaWillow Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Apple Valley, Minnesota Posts: 79	Thank you all for your love and support for Willow and I. As far as the $2,800.00 hospital bill . . . I wrote out the check. I don't think the mother of the kid is going to pay anything. She cannot even fathom the extreme nature of this injury and what Willow and I will be having to go through for the next four to six months. Her son dropped him and she paid the $378.00 at the emergency vet for the initial x-rays and pain medication and cast and she thinks it's over as far as she is concerned. I'm not going to harbor any ill feelings towards her . . . but her kids won't be coming over to my house ever again. Willow is my baby and you can't put a price on the love that I feel for this sweet little yorkie puppy that has totally melted my heart.