amputation

[dmartinez0984]

My dog sophie broke her front leg in Sept of this year and after having her leg in a cast for 30 days didn't heal it She underwent surgery to put plates in to hold her radius and ulna in place while it healed and after those 30 days the xray yesterday showed that her bone isn't healing. It is instead disappearing which is how the ortho doc put it. He basically said that amputation of the leg would probably be best. I just feel a little lost because I've been through so much with her I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing if I amputate her leg. I want her to be ok.

[chestermama]

Originally Posted by dmartinez0984

My dog sophie broke her front leg in Sept of this year and after having her leg in a cast for 30 days didn't heal it She underwent surgery to put plates in to hold her radius and ulna in place while it healed and after those 30 days the xray yesterday showed that her bone isn't healing. It is instead disappearing which is how the ortho doc put it. He basically said that amputation of the leg would probably be best. I just feel a little lost because I've been through so much with her I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing if I amputate her leg. I want her to be ok.

Im sorry about all of this, I would at least get a second opinion

[Graneet]

Oh my bless your heart to have your baby go threw this. One thing these sweet dogs seem to adapt to three legs. I know this is so hard for you. Will pray for your situation. Did he say why her little bones are not able to heal?.

[dmartinez0984]

He basically said that her leg mite not be healing because they did the surgery to late like I should have done surgery when it first happened and not waste time splinting it to see if it'll heal on its own. She's tiny he said that might be another factor she's only like 4 lbs and she 8 months old. My mom thinks she's a teacup but I don't think she is. I didn't want to buy a teacup because of all the issues they tend to have but her breeder was sketchy so who knows. She mite be. She's very fragile.

[Lovetodream88]

I would get a second opinion since this is such a big thing. Dogs can do ok on three legs but since she is so young what if something happened to another leg. I would make sure an orthopedic surgeon is who is doing this, they know bones better then just a regular vet. Also there is no such thing as a teacup it is just a word made up by bad breeders.

[lynzy420]

I would absolutely make sure you get a second opinion before such a major decision is made. It may turn out to be the best for your pup, but if the person making this diagnosis is NOT a certified surgeon/orthopaedic I would most certainly consult with one first. This is a huge decision, not to be taken lightly; however, if this is the cure all for this pup let it be said that these little ones are resilient and can lead long productive lives and adjust quite well. Again, please see a specialist.

[Kerryn915]

My lil guy broke his leg back in Feb of this year. He was 10 months old and 3.5lbs. Also the front left and both tiny bones. I saw 2 vets the very day that it happened and they both said surgery or amputation are the only options. The leg had a very good chance of healing with the surgery which required pins and a bone graft internally and many many weeks of X-rays and soft cast changes. They explained to me that with the bones being so very tiny and with such a bad break there may be a chance that blood flow may not return and essentially the bone will die. They stressed that the sooner the surgery was done the better the chance for saving the leg. Both vets said casting is essentially a waste if time as it is impossible to align both tiny bones and ensure no movement once placed without pins. Sorry that you didn't get a second opinion when it first happened. But it seems that the vet is giving you the correct advice. It seems that the bone has no chance of recovery since there has been no blood flow for a while now. Essentially the leg will just hang there and get in the way. If the surgery wasn't a success for my boy I would have been faced with the same decision. Good luck! Please keep us updated and I know it's a hard decision for you.

[ladyjane]

I would not amputate that leg unless ALL options have been considered. If that ortho vet you are using is not a Board Certified Vet Surgeon, I suggest going to one for a second opinion.

It is true that splinting will not repair these fractures. It only works in 5% of cases!! I wish vets would tell people that before they put these pups and the owners through it. We did get a pup that had been through it and the surgeon we use was able to save her leg. She did require bone grafting. We also had another pup in another state who sadly lost his leg in the end. But we tried everything first!

These bones are very tiny so there is not as much blood flow, hence the healing issues; but they can often be saved.

You can find a board certified surgeon at this link:

www.acvs.org

Feel free to message me if you have any questions. I have dealt with many orthopedic cases and personally have only lost one limb and that was because the pup had sciatic nerve damage and had chewed his foot off before he came to me.

[ladyjane]

Let me add that amputation is not wrong. I can be necessary in some cases. I just believe strongly in saving a limb if at all possible. They do well on three legs but one must remember that if they have a serious injury in another limb down the road, the challenges then are great.

[Maximo]

I am very sorry Sophie and you are going through this. You both are in my prayers.

I agree with others above about seeking out a second opinion if possible from a board certified specialist.

[dmartinez0984]

It was a board certified orthopedic surgeon with tufts small animal hospital in North grafton mass that performed her surgery.his name is Dr boudrieau. She has a plate in her leg right now but he says that the bone isn't reproducing more bone so the fracture isn't healing. If anyone knows of a good surgeon in the mass ct area please let me know.

[Buster Brown]

I am originally from your area and was going to recommend Tufts but I see you have been there perhaps a second opinion. I looked this Vet up they are on Boston Road

https://online.acvs.org/acvsssa/rflc...179&p_cust_id=
Surgical Focus<ul class="aaAttrInnerUl"><li id="aaAttrInnerUl_SURGFOC_ORTH">Orthopedics
<li id="aaAttrInnerUl_SURGFOC_SOFT">Soft Tissue
</ul>
Research / Surgery Interest 1Traumatic injury/fracture stabilization

Research / Surgery Interest 2Distal limb injury

Research / Surgery Interest 3Analgesia

[Buster Brown]

Here is more from the avcs.org that Ladyjane posted.
https://online.acvs.org/acvsssa/rfls...al.result_page
I did see your Doctor listed and his 2nd focus is joint prostheses so he might be more focused on amputation and prostheses....so I would get a second opinion but he could be the Doctor who really knows what is going on but I would check to make sure.
Surgical FocusOrthopedics

Research / Surgery Interest 1Fracture Healing/ Biomechanics

Research / Surgery Interest 2Joint Prostheses

Research / Surgery Interest 3Mandibular/Maxillary Trauma

Sending prayers

[dmartinez0984]

Thank you guys so much for ur help. I think I'll get a second opinion and see what they think. It's worth looking into then I'll know if I've done everything I can to save her leg.

[107barney]

I personally like MSPCA-Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston. I do not know any of their surgeons personally, but my animals have been to many of their departments and I have yet to have a bad experience. If I were looking for a second opinion, I think I would probably ask to see Sue A. Casale DVM, DACVS at Angell. You could also call the surgery department and explain the case to their secretary who can perhaps lead you to the correct surgeon for the opinion. Their contact is 617-541-5048
surgery@angell.org

You can visit their page at Surgery Service