Broken leg may need metal plate, or amputation - Page 3 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

shelbysmom · 03-21-2015, 03:29 PM

Well yes the cast seems huge but it's his hind leg and the splint forces the leg into a tippy toe position right? Ali's was a front leg and it even seemed ridiculous. I have tried being clever with pills but it's a big fail. I just open her mouth shove the pill in and rub her throat until swallowed. I prefer liquid, though that's hard too! Archie looks great!

joyce evans · 03-21-2015, 05:00 PM

You can also try cream cheese if you have it. I'll be praying for your baby too! Yes use a stroller to keep him still. It will make your life easier during the healing process.

Kerryn915 · 03-21-2015, 07:27 PM

That looks terribley uncomfortable... How can he even walk in that?? It seems way too long... Hope that doesn't cause issues if he has to compensate differently... It seems he would have to bear weight on that bc it's longer than his other legs, which seems odd to me since he shouldn't be using that leg at all. When my boys leg was splinted the cast was the same length as the leg and he got the hang of keeping it up and hopping on his other 3. One time at our weekly cast change he was given back to me and I made them redo it bc it was too long and also not tight enough... I could tell it was going to allow some movement which is the complete opposite of what the cast is supposed to be for! I was a little upset about it bc he had to be lightly sedated and dropped off for the morning and then they ended up having to redo it and not needing the gas sedation. They seemed a little annoyed but the fact of the matter is that the vet tech that did it that day did an awful job and I couldn't afford to risk the healing process bc of a loose cast! If the leg is able to move under a bad casting job then it won't allow the bones to heal.

Schmidtey · 03-21-2015, 08:35 PM

The cast is very long (I freaked out a little when I first saw it) and they do have it formed into a tippy toe position. I think his has to be that long because he broke his tibia high up right by the joint. Since they had to pin it into the growth plate, they needed to splint it and extend it all the way to help heal. When we take him out to the bathroom (the only opportunity that we give him to walk around a little) he doesn't know how to maneuver. He either drags his cast behind him or starts trying to walk sideways and kind of walk in tight circles. I called and spoke to a nurse at the hospital and they said that was fine. They assured me that he would eventually adapt to the cast, and learn a way to get around.

In regards to the pills. I tried the wet food which he found the pill really quickly in. I tried putting it in peanut butter and putting it on the roof of his mouth... which he somehow managed to eat the peanut butter and then shoot the pill out of his mouth and it landed a good four feet away

. I placed it in the back of his mouth and tried to get him to swallow, which I thought he did, however when I let go of his mouth the pill popped out. I went through our fridge and found some cream cheese and he was able to eat that with the pill. We will see how long it takes him to catch onto that trick. When that one starts to fail I will try the mozzarella trick.

lisaly · 03-21-2015, 09:49 PM

I hope your little boy heals quickly. It's so heartbreaking seeing him with the uncomfortable splint and knowing all you've gone through. Thankfully, you have given him the chance of a normal life, and I pray that this surgery is successful and your little boy will no longer feel pain. I use slightly melted fresh mozzarella cheese, which Katie loves, to hide pills. Cream cheese or ricotta cheese also work.

Verbena · 03-22-2015, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmidtey

The cast is very long (I freaked out a little when I first saw it) and they do have it formed into a tippy toe position. I think his has to be that long because he broke his tibia high up right by the joint. Since they had to pin it into the growth plate, they needed to splint it and extend it all the way to help heal. When we take him out to the bathroom (the only opportunity that we give him to walk around a little) he doesn't know how to maneuver. He either drags his cast behind him or starts trying to walk sideways and kind of walk in tight circles. I called and spoke to a nurse at the hospital and they said that was fine. They assured me that he would eventually adapt to the cast, and learn a way to get around.

In regards to the pills. I tried the wet food which he found the pill really quickly in. I tried putting it in peanut butter and putting it on the roof of his mouth... which he somehow managed to eat the peanut butter and then shoot the pill out of his mouth and it landed a good four feet away

. I placed it in the back of his mouth and tried to get him to swallow, which I thought he did, however when I let go of his mouth the pill popped out. I went through our fridge and found some cream cheese and he was able to eat that with the pill. We will see how long it takes him to catch onto that trick. When that one starts to fail I will try the mozzarella trick.

I am sorry to hear about your baby. . .i would get a pill popper. It looks like a syringe. I find it is the best way to get the pills in.. I use it for Galen and my kitties. You don't have to worry about pills being spit out.

You put the pill in the popper. You shoot the pill to the back of the throat. Close mouth and gently massage neck. They will swallow it. . You can get the popper from the vet.

Sending good thoughts to your pup

kimp5 · 03-27-2015, 12:37 PM

I went through this 2 years ago. Jess broke her front leg (radius and ulna) near the joint. The vet cast it and that didnt work then said amputation. I said no way she is a year old. So we did plates screws and bone grafts. My surgeon said NO Walking..none. So I put her in a crate that I lined with moving blankets and foam.
I got a stoller from wlamart. I got a purse carrier that had open legs to carry her around in. She peed on a pad. I got some tranquilizers from the surgeon for when she was stir crazy. She developed some weird habits (like trying to bury her food bowls with carpet, ) but they went away. I didnt let her walk at all for 6 weeks.
A few steps, that was it. It was really hard. We played mind games to keep her engaged with finding food in our hands etc.
Well at the 6 week checkup the surgeon said "I dont know how you did it but the ulna healed as well as the radius which he never expected. We went another 3 weeks of limited activity. She know runs around like any dog. We dont let her jump much (couch to carpet thats low) but she is fine!

dmartinez0984 · 04-02-2015, 06:20 PM

hello, i have a female yorkie who was 6 months old and fell off my sofa and broke her radius and ulna in her right front paw. my vet had put a cast on her and said to wait 30 days to see if it can heal on its own(which i kick myself every day for doing because i should have went to a surgeon to begin with) well of course after 30 days the leg wasn't healed and i went to see an orthopedic doc who did surgery on her and put plates in her leg to hold the 2 bones to see if then it would heal. and it didn't help her leg the ortho doc said i had waited to long and shoulve have come to see them first thing. but at the time i didn't have the money and was praying it could heal on its own. so after going through the surgery and getting a second opinion from a different surgeon i had to make the decision to amputate her leg. i have to tell you though that even though she is missing a leg she doesn't skip a beat. she is feisty as ever wants to play all the time. and i doubt she even misses her leg. She runs around like any other dog and she is much happier now then she was going to all the appointments week after week . it was a long trying time for us but we made it through. My sophie is such a trooper and so brave. and the reason i share this with you is because if god forbid you have no choice but to amputate just know that it will be ok. dogs are resilient and they learn to adapt very quickly. and you will love your dog that much more for going through such a tough time and coming out strong with an unbroken spirit. i will keep you and your dog in my prayers and hope your lil one heals. take care.

sandy simpson · 04-02-2015, 07:33 PM

Prayers for this precious little Yorkie. I am so sorry you have to endure this. Accidents happen and I will pray that all goes well with the decisions you must make for your little dog. Yorkies are so fragile and yet they like to run like whippersnappers and it is hard to keep them calm. Blankets and soft pillows and nothing he can jump onto even if you have to put a fence around the couch or move it. Make the environment safe and low to the ground. Like we did when we had a baby. No climbing, jumping or running.

maggiefromnj · 04-04-2015, 06:20 PM

I hope the poor little guy does well. It is soooo hard to keep them calm when all they want to do is play.

As far as pills, I have been giving Maggie 1/2 a pill of Rimadyl for her knee. I use rotisserie chicken breast which is fairly moist. It is easy to squish a blob of chicken around the pill so the pill is on the inside. She love that chicken so much she just gulps it down. No chewing! I give her a few extra bites without pill too. Sometimes the pill is the first bite, sometimes not, I mix it up in case she catches on. Its been close to a week and she hasn't spit it out yet!

Schmidtey · 04-12-2015, 12:48 PM

Hi, I just wanted to give everyone an update on Archie. He has been doing fairly well. I take him in every week to get his cast changed and the vet tells us that the surgery site is looking good and he hasn't developed any sores under his splint. They don't know how the bones are healing as he hasn't had any x-rays since the surgery. At his 6 week check up they will take new x-rays so we are hoping and praying that the bones are healing. The hard part now is keeping him still. He is still just a puppy so he has so much energy! Taking him around the neighborhood in his stroller has been working fairly well to entertain him, however he throws a fit anytime we walk by other dogs and kids playing in their yards. He doesn't understand why he is strapped down to a stroller when everyone else is having fun.

Thank you everyone for keeping Archie in your thoughts and prayers. Also, thank you for sharing stories of your own yorkies going through similar surgeries. It helps to hear other's stories, and to know how resilient your babies have been. It gives me hope during Archie's recovery period.

ladyjane · 04-12-2015, 06:46 PM

Thank you for updating! Glad things are going smoothly...

Continued prayers for your baby....

03-21-2015, 05:00 PM	#32
joyce evans YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: houston Posts: 1,519	You can also try cream cheese if you have it. I'll be praying for your baby too! Yes use a stroller to keep him still. It will make your life easier during the healing process. __________________ Hannah's Mom

04-02-2015, 07:33 PM	#39
sandy simpson YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: santee, california Posts: 2,123 Blog Entries: 1	dog Prayers for this precious little Yorkie. I am so sorry you have to endure this. Accidents happen and I will pray that all goes well with the decisions you must make for your little dog. Yorkies are so fragile and yet they like to run like whippersnappers and it is hard to keep them calm. Blankets and soft pillows and nothing he can jump onto even if you have to put a fence around the couch or move it. Make the environment safe and low to the ground. Like we did when we had a baby. No climbing, jumping or running.

04-12-2015, 06:46 PM	#42
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,490	Thank you for updating! Glad things are going smoothly... Continued prayers for your baby.... __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

03-21-2015, 07:27 PM	#33
Kerryn915 YT Addict Join Date: May 2014 Location: Fishkill, ny, USA Posts: 487	That looks terribley uncomfortable... How can he even walk in that?? It seems way too long... Hope that doesn't cause issues if he has to compensate differently... It seems he would have to bear weight on that bc it's longer than his other legs, which seems odd to me since he shouldn't be using that leg at all. When my boys leg was splinted the cast was the same length as the leg and he got the hang of keeping it up and hopping on his other 3. One time at our weekly cast change he was given back to me and I made them redo it bc it was too long and also not tight enough... I could tell it was going to allow some movement which is the complete opposite of what the cast is supposed to be for! I was a little upset about it bc he had to be lightly sedated and dropped off for the morning and then they ended up having to redo it and not needing the gas sedation. They seemed a little annoyed but the fact of the matter is that the vet tech that did it that day did an awful job and I couldn't afford to risk the healing process bc of a loose cast! If the leg is able to move under a bad casting job then it won't allow the bones to heal.

03-21-2015, 08:35 PM	#34
Schmidtey Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Lehigh Valley Posts: 24	The cast is very long (I freaked out a little when I first saw it) and they do have it formed into a tippy toe position. I think his has to be that long because he broke his tibia high up right by the joint. Since they had to pin it into the growth plate, they needed to splint it and extend it all the way to help heal. When we take him out to the bathroom (the only opportunity that we give him to walk around a little) he doesn't know how to maneuver. He either drags his cast behind him or starts trying to walk sideways and kind of walk in tight circles. I called and spoke to a nurse at the hospital and they said that was fine. They assured me that he would eventually adapt to the cast, and learn a way to get around. In regards to the pills. I tried the wet food which he found the pill really quickly in. I tried putting it in peanut butter and putting it on the roof of his mouth... which he somehow managed to eat the peanut butter and then shoot the pill out of his mouth and it landed a good four feet away . I placed it in the back of his mouth and tried to get him to swallow, which I thought he did, however when I let go of his mouth the pill popped out. I went through our fridge and found some cream cheese and he was able to eat that with the pill. We will see how long it takes him to catch onto that trick. When that one starts to fail I will try the mozzarella trick.

03-21-2015, 09:49 PM	#35
lisaly Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 5,892	I hope your little boy heals quickly. It's so heartbreaking seeing him with the uncomfortable splint and knowing all you've gone through. Thankfully, you have given him the chance of a normal life, and I pray that this surgery is successful and your little boy will no longer feel pain. I use slightly melted fresh mozzarella cheese, which Katie loves, to hide pills. Cream cheese or ricotta cheese also work.

03-27-2015, 12:37 PM	#37
kimp5 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Boston MA Posts: 890	I went through this 2 years ago. Jess broke her front leg (radius and ulna) near the joint. The vet cast it and that didnt work then said amputation. I said no way she is a year old. So we did plates screws and bone grafts. My surgeon said NO Walking..none. So I put her in a crate that I lined with moving blankets and foam. I got a stoller from wlamart. I got a purse carrier that had open legs to carry her around in. She peed on a pad. I got some tranquilizers from the surgeon for when she was stir crazy. She developed some weird habits (like trying to bury her food bowls with carpet, ) but they went away. I didnt let her walk at all for 6 weeks. A few steps, that was it. It was really hard. We played mind games to keep her engaged with finding food in our hands etc. Well at the 6 week checkup the surgeon said "I dont know how you did it but the ulna healed as well as the radius which he never expected. We went another 3 weeks of limited activity. She know runs around like any dog. We dont let her jump much (couch to carpet thats low) but she is fine!

04-02-2015, 06:20 PM	#38
dmartinez0984 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2014 Location: springfield, mass, united states Posts: 36	hello, i have a female yorkie who was 6 months old and fell off my sofa and broke her radius and ulna in her right front paw. my vet had put a cast on her and said to wait 30 days to see if it can heal on its own(which i kick myself every day for doing because i should have went to a surgeon to begin with) well of course after 30 days the leg wasn't healed and i went to see an orthopedic doc who did surgery on her and put plates in her leg to hold the 2 bones to see if then it would heal. and it didn't help her leg the ortho doc said i had waited to long and shoulve have come to see them first thing. but at the time i didn't have the money and was praying it could heal on its own. so after going through the surgery and getting a second opinion from a different surgeon i had to make the decision to amputate her leg. i have to tell you though that even though she is missing a leg she doesn't skip a beat. she is feisty as ever wants to play all the time. and i doubt she even misses her leg. She runs around like any other dog and she is much happier now then she was going to all the appointments week after week . it was a long trying time for us but we made it through. My sophie is such a trooper and so brave. and the reason i share this with you is because if god forbid you have no choice but to amputate just know that it will be ok. dogs are resilient and they learn to adapt very quickly. and you will love your dog that much more for going through such a tough time and coming out strong with an unbroken spirit. i will keep you and your dog in my prayers and hope your lil one heals. take care.

04-04-2015, 06:20 PM	#40
maggiefromnj YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: nj Posts: 497	I hope the poor little guy does well. It is soooo hard to keep them calm when all they want to do is play. As far as pills, I have been giving Maggie 1/2 a pill of Rimadyl for her knee. I use rotisserie chicken breast which is fairly moist. It is easy to squish a blob of chicken around the pill so the pill is on the inside. She love that chicken so much she just gulps it down. No chewing! I give her a few extra bites without pill too. Sometimes the pill is the first bite, sometimes not, I mix it up in case she catches on. Its been close to a week and she hasn't spit it out yet!

04-12-2015, 12:48 PM	#41
Schmidtey Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Lehigh Valley Posts: 24	Hi, I just wanted to give everyone an update on Archie. He has been doing fairly well. I take him in every week to get his cast changed and the vet tells us that the surgery site is looking good and he hasn't developed any sores under his splint. They don't know how the bones are healing as he hasn't had any x-rays since the surgery. At his 6 week check up they will take new x-rays so we are hoping and praying that the bones are healing. The hard part now is keeping him still. He is still just a puppy so he has so much energy! Taking him around the neighborhood in his stroller has been working fairly well to entertain him, however he throws a fit anytime we walk by other dogs and kids playing in their yards. He doesn't understand why he is strapped down to a stroller when everyone else is having fun. Thank you everyone for keeping Archie in your thoughts and prayers. Also, thank you for sharing stories of your own yorkies going through similar surgeries. It helps to hear other's stories, and to know how resilient your babies have been. It gives me hope during Archie's recovery period.