Broken Legs
 

Ahhh the poor little guy -- what a lot of stuff for someone so small to go through. I hope all goes well for him and his legs heal so that he can live a long a healthy life.

I'm glad you switched vets and took him to one that specializes in small dogs. He's got to be in pain now :( Was the new vet confident this would work for him? Poor baby :(

My friend has a pomeranian who fell and broke a front leg. They put a plate and screws in about a year ago and he is perfectly fine now. It cost her about 1500 for the one leg, but it was worth it. The vet let her pay it off in installments. Her dog was only 8 months old when he fell.

OMG, this hits so close to home. I just got home today with Chase. He is a little 3 pound boy who hurt his leg back in March. I took him to the vet right away and the vet did x-rays. He found no broken bones and diagnosed him with soft tissue damage. He did get some better but never healed completely. I took him in last week to get him x-rayed again and this time my vet (not the same as the first one) discovered that his leg had been broken all along. I got a referral to a really great clinic in Louisiana and had him looked at. They did surgery on Thursday to try and fix the leg. Due to the time since the break, there was too much deterioration of bone and they had to amputate his leg. I am DEVASTATED with this and feel terrible.
I don't know what to say to you exactly since every case is different. I can tell you that, depending on the break, the bone could not heal and may be un-repairable over time. Without some repair, Max is likely to have problems down the road.
My only advice to you would be to find the absolute best doctor you can and get him treated promptly. I melted 2 credit cards in an attempt to save Chase's leg. Though it wasn't successful, I don't regret the expense one bit.
I just got Chase home today and he's doing well, all things considered. Speaking as someone going through this right now, I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I hope you can get the care Max needs before the situation gets worse. I'll keep you both in my prayers...Jim

Poor Chase. My new vet won't even think about doing surgery on Max until mid May. He didn't want to do anything until the gangerine was all cleared up and the scabs had fallen off. I wish I had credit cards to use but I'm on Social Security Disability and money is really tight due to the bills I have already paid for Max's previous vet. He is mobile, he just hops along on his back feet and when he wants me to carry him, he lets me know. I don't think that he is in pain at this time, but I do keep a close eye on what the little guy is doing. I also have three other dogs, 2 yorkies and an english cocker spaniel. I am constantly amazed at how the other dogs keep and eye on Maxie. The cocker even lets Max take naps on top of her. It's really cute.

Omg, I saw the pics of your baby in those cast and his face looks so happy even thou he is in pain. Make sure and keep those cast dry and Im so glad Jim(WOGGIE MAN) could give you some advise since he is going thru such a similar tragic time with Chase. God Bless Both of you....

When I was 20 I accidentally slammed a door on my Basset puppy foot. His foot also developed Gangrene from getting wet. You have to make sure the bandage or cast stays dry at all times. This vet is correct in that you must clean up the Gangrene first then you can heal the bones. Its a long process, I use to put plastic bags over his leg when he had to go outside. avoid any dampness..What a sweet little face.

I'm so sorry to hear about your baby Max. Have you taken him to see an Orthopedic Specialist? I think an Ortho specialist would be your best bet to ensure that they are performing the surgery correctly to optimize the chance of complete recovery. I hope everything works out.

aww poor baby.. hope he gets better soon

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...vet-bills.html

^^ that thread has some useful links for help with vet bills .. perhaps they can help you with surgery your baby needs

oh my gosh.. how aweful for you..I hope you can keep him looked after until a vet can do something with him.. sending prayers your way.. also glad jim could give you some insight as to what he has been through..Losing one leg is horrible but his baby is still alive.. but with yours having two bad legs he needs to have them or at least one.. so do what you can.. and get this looked after for him..
I am sure there is a vet out there that will let you go on a payment plan.. do not stop until you do.. puppy hugs being sent... anne

Look at that sweet face with two casts on, no less.
I hope Max can heal nicely and get on with his life.
He's lucky to have such a wonderful caring Mom.
Best wishes to you and Max,

Aww I am so sorry about Max's legs. He is a cutie. I hope the gangrene clears up and he can get his leg fixed.
Woogiesmom I feel so bad for Chase and you. They are resilient!

Ahhh...this is so sad :(

I would try to talk with the Vet about a payment plan. It sounds like when the infection is cleared that surgery could help him :(

I've got no experience with gangrene, but it seems like the initial irritation that led to it was most likely caused by the cast being put on badly and rubbing the skin raw. With a cast on and no way for the sore to breathe, gangrene could have set in from that. I would think the first vet that treated Max should be responsible for his continuing care, whether another vet provides that care or not.
From consulting with surgeons about Chase, I learned that a bone that doesn't heal over time has very little chance of being repaired. When a bone doesn't have a load put on it (as is the case with a broken bone), it tends to soften. This is why Chase lost his leg. Though the bone 'looked' repairable on the x-ray, it had softened to the point that a screw couldn't be set in it. The doctor suspected that but didn't know for sure until he got in there and tried to do a repair.
From the posts, I worry that Max may be in a similar situation. I honestly don't know what I'd do, but it seems the longer he goes without a repair, there is less chance of it being fixed.
If you've found a vet you can trust, please discuss these possibilities with him. It would be horrible for Max to lose a leg but unimaginable for him to lose both.
Without trying to hijack this thread, I'd like to thank everyone for the good wishes for Chase. The support is much needed and appreciated. Lissette, a very special 'thanks' to you. I was a total wreck yesterday when I got home with Chase and talking with you helped immensely. YT is the best and it's folks like you that make it so.
As for what I'll do with my vet, I'm going to trust him to do the right thing for now. My regular vet is a great guy and feels terrible for his associate mis-diagnosing Chase. Nothing will bring Chase's leg back but I'm confident he'll make amends as best he can.
Considering all he's been through, Chase is doing very well today. He has a good appetite, doesn't seem to be in any pain and has been getting up and moving around quite a bit. I'm very hopeful for a good recovery for him.
I truly wish you the best of luck with Max. He's an adorable boy and I hope he has a great outcome. I hope I've been able to give you some insight with Chase's story that may help you in deciding what course to follow with Max. My prayers will stay with you and your little guy through this very difficult time. Best to you both.....Jim

I am so sorry to hear about all that Max has gone through. I hope that things work out in the end. :(

How is that sweet boy doing today....I feel so bad for him with two broken front legs...What a sweetheart you have, Let us know....

Jim how is Chase getting along today....Just checking on him....

Lissette, Chase is doing fine today. I think he's getting a little bored since he can't get out to play with the others just yet. His bandage comes off at the end of the week and next week his staples come out. So, until then. it's very limited activity. I'm trying to make up for it by babying him and giving him his favorite food (meat, meat!!). I may be creating a monster :p but that's ok for now...just trying to keep him happy.
I was just popping in to check on Max...no updates yet. Best to ya', little man. We're all pulling for you. :)

Any updates on Max?

Nothing has changed with Max yet. We have just one small scab that needs to heal. He's still in a good mood. During the day he has started laying on top of my cocker spaniel to take an afternoon snooze. Unfortunately, we are in a holding pattern until his scab comes off. I'm hoping that the surgery can be done when his scabs come off. Max gets along really good on the carpet. He hops on his back legs and seems to not be in paid. When he goes on the linoleum because he slides all over, I usually pick him up. Max goes everywhere with me. I don't want to take a chance that he gets hurt being home with the other dogs. I'll keep updating as time goes on. Thanks for all your prayers and good wishes for Max. :rolleyes:

Thanks for the update on Max. It sounds like he's not letting this hold him back..bless his heart. They are so resilient and don't seem to let things get to them as long as they're loved, and I can tell he is much loved. Prayers that he heals soon so the Dr. can fix his legs. Looking forward to future updates...Jim

Im am glad Max is getting along. Both you and Woogie man have been on my mind.Jim, how is Chase doing ?

This is scary to me. My littlest one is a jumper. She weighs 3 lbs and jumps from the back of chairs, the couch or anything she can get up on.

She has a strange way of jumping. She always lands on all four feet. It looks real different from any dog I've ever had. She is a climber too. Just now we caught her on the TV table about 3 feet from the floor. She jumped off before we could get her. I don't know how she got up there. She had to have jumped.

I hope she doesn't hurt herself.

Nothing major has changed with Max. His gangerine has cleared up finally. He has figured out how to get on the couch without any help. He will not get off the couch or my bed. He now actually wakes me up in the middle of the night if he has to go to the bathroom. He is really getting good with only two legs. I brought him outside for a few minutes and he hopped away. I was right next to him, but he really motored away.

He has now been given the designation as a Service Dog. I suffer from depression and anxiety and having him with me wherever I go is very comforting.

I also wanted to let folks know that at lot of the financial aid orgranizations are out of money. I have been on the internet for a couple of days now looking and talking to people. Because in order to fix Max's legs it will cost $2500 and I need a down payment of $1500. Until I get that together, Max will have to wait on his surgery.

That's all the news I have for now.

;)

Wow
 

OH NO, will the vet let you make payments. That baby needs his broken legs fixed. Have you spoken with any rescues in the area? Anyone have any ideas on how to help this poor baby......

Oh boy...not sure about it, but it doesn't sound like this type of surgery should wait very long....I know funds aren't there, but there's gotta be a way :confused: :confused: Have you talked to the Vet about a payment plan???

I sure hope you do not have to let poor Max wait! He deserves to have his legs fxed as soon as possible.

Have you been to this page: Voices for Animals - Veterinary Expense Assistance Programs A CareCredit card is often a good way to go. How about another Credit Card? There are Credit Cards out there for just about anyone. I would even risk high interest before I would let my poor dog go without necessary surgery. Delay could cost him his legs!

American Animal Hospital Association
Phone: 866/4HELPETS (866/443-5738)
Fax: 720/963-4404
Please email inquiries to: info@aahahelpingpets.org
"Through the AAHA Helping Pets Fund, veterinary care is possible for sick or injured pets even if they have been abandoned or if their owner is experiencing financial hardship."

Angels 4 Animals
Phone: 916-941-9119
Fax: 916-290-0598
Email: staff@angels4animals.org
"Our services range from financial aid to complete treatment to those pets and pet owners in need."

Care Credit
A credit card company for health care, including veterinary care. "With a comprehensive range of plan options, for treatment or procedure fees from $1 to over $25,000, we offer a plan and a low monthly payment to fit comfortably into almost every budget."

Help-A-Pet
Phone: 630-986-9504
"Our efforts focus on serving the elderly, the disabled, and the working poor."

IMOM
For pet owners facing veterinary expenses they can’t afford, IMOM provides online fundraising to help cover expenses.

The Pet Fund
ALL applicants are REQUIRED to contact The Pet Fund by phone BEFORE applying for funding.
Call 916-443-6007.
"The Pet Fund is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit association that provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need urgent veterinary care."

Tails of Hope
Tails of Hope is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization based in Lake County, IL. Our mission is to help assisted living candidates and the terminally ill place their pets through foster care and adoption.
United Animal Nations’ LifeLine Grant Program
Phone: (916) 429-2457
Fax: (916) 429-2456
E-mail: info@uan.org
The LifeLine Grant Program provides funding to Good Samaritans, animal rescuers, non-profit organizations and pet owners to help them care for animals in life-threatening situations. Learn more about our various LifeLine Grants and find out the eligibility requirements by visiting the website above.

This is so sad! Another example of why we need to anticipate the need!!!