Bath while leg is in cast - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Bellaross · 02-26-2015, 03:22 PM

My Bella has a broken front right leg. All is well fantastic doctors and if she needs surgery have a fantastic surgeon here from university of Tennessee. my question. She needs her face and head washed but I don't want to get cast wet. Any suggestions?

WafflesMom · 02-26-2015, 03:46 PM

We used Earthbath Grooming Wipes when Waffles had a broken leg. We still use them in between baths.

megansmomma · 02-26-2015, 04:17 PM

When did she break her leg and how long has she been in the cast?

ladyjane · 02-26-2015, 04:22 PM

Casting rarely works. If it is a front leg, casts only have a 5% success rate. And IF you operate after waiting, often a bone graft is needed.

I have dealt with many, many fractures over the years and I can tell you that ALL of them needed surgery. I have seen countless pups lose their legs over waiting.

I realize that money may be an issue as that is the only reason I believe a vet would just do a cast.

I strongly urge you to get your pup to a board certified specialist (one who does ortho surgery on small dogs) and get a second opinion. Your pup might be healing well...but I think you need to make sure. I would hate for you to be sorry later.

You mentioned UT...but do you mean the facility or that your vet went to school there...big difference.

As to the bath.....I simply would not bathe right now.

Bellaross · 02-26-2015, 04:23 PM

She got her cast on Valentine's Day. Hasn't bothered her a bit. Broke the radius but not the ulna. Doc says she is doing great

ladyjane · 02-26-2015, 04:23 PM

To find a board certified surgeon, go to:

www.acvs.org

ladyjane · 02-26-2015, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bellaross

She got her cast on Valentine's Day. Hasn't bothered her a bit. Broke the radius but not the ulna. Doc says she is doing great

Ok....so the xrays show healing? That is better that it is one bone.

Bellaross · 02-26-2015, 04:33 PM

I am very confident with her specialist surgeon for yorkie. I am confident in her doctor. First X-ray after casting is next Tuesday and I will abide by the specialist surgeon for Yorkies that taught at univ of tenn and board certified decision

Bellaross · 02-26-2015, 04:34 PM

I will get some wipes

ladyjane · 02-26-2015, 04:40 PM

Good luck.

ladyjane · 02-26-2015, 05:15 PM

Some links you may want to review. I don't know what type fracture it is All I know is that the small pups have a harder time healing due to a diminished blood flow in the lower part of the leg (if that is where it is).
I know you probably don't want to hear this based upon your posts, but I am just sharing in case you might want to consider listening. If not, we will just have it here for others to review.

Common long bone fracture in small animal practice ? Part 2

http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/projects/sa..._24/24mast.htm

On this last link is suggests failure rate is around 80% .. I have been advised by three different vets that it is as high as 95%

DISTAL FRACTURES POMERANIAN

From the site:

Casts and splints are generally no longer used to treat distal radial fractures in toy breeds, as the number of cases in which the break fails to heal can be as high as 80% (Muir 1997, Welsh et al 1997; Harasen 2003b). Surgical interventions that rigidly fix the bones are necessary to allow these fractures to heal.

Magnus · 02-26-2015, 05:33 PM

I use waterless shampoo sometimes for in-between baths. toplinepet.com sells them. Owner is a member here on YT (Mimimomo). I think she offers discounts to YT members.

Bellaross · 02-26-2015, 07:12 PM

I just wanted to know about bathing. I have read everything I can find on broken legs and what to expect. I read everything and I don't mind help but i also trust the surgeon and my vet to make the best decision for her. I know the realities of it all and believe me I listen because I want the best for my Bella
Sorry if I offended that was not my intention

Kerryn915 · 02-26-2015, 08:48 PM

If u are just washing the face I would suggest a ziplock back wrapped around and then maybe another bag over it and then wrap the whole body with a towel. just run the water very lightly while washing just the beard part. I did this with my boy when he broke his leg and as long as you run the water slowly and just use you hand to cup the water and wipe it works fine. Just be careful that your little one isn't to fussy as that could cause him to strain the leg. If he's used to being groomed it shouldnt be an issue. Mine doesn't even flinch when I wash his face. I just wipe the eyes with wipes and brush and that seemed to keep him pretty fresh. Works good for the rear end too. I always had a plastic covering over the cast so that when he peed on the pad he wouldn't get urine on it. Good luck!!

Kerryn915 · 02-26-2015, 08:53 PM

Sorry I realuze now tha you have a girl !

02-26-2015, 03:22 PM	#1
Bellaross Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Prospect ky usa Posts: 30	Bath while leg is in cast My Bella has a broken front right leg. All is well fantastic doctors and if she needs surgery have a fantastic surgeon here from university of Tennessee. my question. She needs her face and head washed but I don't want to get cast wet. Any suggestions?

02-26-2015, 04:17 PM	#3
megansmomma Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: S. W. Suburbs of Chicago, IL Posts: 12,235	When did she break her leg and how long has she been in the cast? __________________ “Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.” Mark Twain

02-26-2015, 04:22 PM	#4
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,469	Casting rarely works. If it is a front leg, casts only have a 5% success rate. And IF you operate after waiting, often a bone graft is needed. I have dealt with many, many fractures over the years and I can tell you that ALL of them needed surgery. I have seen countless pups lose their legs over waiting. I realize that money may be an issue as that is the only reason I believe a vet would just do a cast. I strongly urge you to get your pup to a board certified specialist (one who does ortho surgery on small dogs) and get a second opinion. Your pup might be healing well...but I think you need to make sure. I would hate for you to be sorry later. You mentioned UT...but do you mean the facility or that your vet went to school there...big difference. As to the bath.....I simply would not bathe right now. __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

02-26-2015, 04:23 PM	#6
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,469	To find a board certified surgeon, go to: www.acvs.org __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

02-26-2015, 04:40 PM	#10
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,469	Good luck. __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

02-26-2015, 03:46 PM	#2
WafflesMom Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 39	We used Earthbath Grooming Wipes when Waffles had a broken leg. We still use them in between baths.

02-26-2015, 04:33 PM	#8
Bellaross Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Prospect ky usa Posts: 30	I am very confident with her specialist surgeon for yorkie. I am confident in her doctor. First X-ray after casting is next Tuesday and I will abide by the specialist surgeon for Yorkies that taught at univ of tenn and board certified decision

02-26-2015, 04:34 PM	#9
Bellaross Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Prospect ky usa Posts: 30	I will get some wipes

02-26-2015, 05:15 PM	#11
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,469	Some links you may want to review. I don't know what type fracture it is All I know is that the small pups have a harder time healing due to a diminished blood flow in the lower part of the leg (if that is where it is). I know you probably don't want to hear this based upon your posts, but I am just sharing in case you might want to consider listening. If not, we will just have it here for others to review. Common long bone fracture in small animal practice ? Part 2 http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/projects/sa..._24/24mast.htm On this last link is suggests failure rate is around 80% .. I have been advised by three different vets that it is as high as 95% DISTAL FRACTURES POMERANIAN From the site: Casts and splints are generally no longer used to treat distal radial fractures in toy breeds, as the number of cases in which the break fails to heal can be as high as 80% (Muir 1997, Welsh et al 1997; Harasen 2003b). Surgical interventions that rigidly fix the bones are necessary to allow these fractures to heal. __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

02-26-2015, 05:33 PM	#12
Magnus Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 3,192	I use waterless shampoo sometimes for in-between baths. toplinepet.com sells them. Owner is a member here on YT (Mimimomo). I think she offers discounts to YT members.

02-26-2015, 07:12 PM	#13
Bellaross Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Prospect ky usa Posts: 30	I just wanted to know about bathing. I have read everything I can find on broken legs and what to expect. I read everything and I don't mind help but i also trust the surgeon and my vet to make the best decision for her. I know the realities of it all and believe me I listen because I want the best for my Bella Sorry if I offended that was not my intention

02-26-2015, 08:48 PM	#14
Kerryn915 YT Addict Join Date: May 2014 Location: Fishkill, ny, USA Posts: 487	If u are just washing the face I would suggest a ziplock back wrapped around and then maybe another bag over it and then wrap the whole body with a towel. just run the water very lightly while washing just the beard part. I did this with my boy when he broke his leg and as long as you run the water slowly and just use you hand to cup the water and wipe it works fine. Just be careful that your little one isn't to fussy as that could cause him to strain the leg. If he's used to being groomed it shouldnt be an issue. Mine doesn't even flinch when I wash his face. I just wipe the eyes with wipes and brush and that seemed to keep him pretty fresh. Works good for the rear end too. I always had a plastic covering over the cast so that when he peed on the pad he wouldn't get urine on it. Good luck!!

02-26-2015, 08:53 PM	#15
Kerryn915 YT Addict Join Date: May 2014 Location: Fishkill, ny, USA Posts: 487	Sorry I realuze now tha you have a girl !