Advice

[BlueBelle]

Our daughter in laws 4.7lb Yorkie fell down some stairs and broke both bones on her left front leg just above the wrist/ankle on Sunday. It was set and splinted at an emergency vet clinic. Today she took her to the orthopedic vet (who had done her LP surgery) and he said it isn't lined up correctly and she needs surgery and a plate and pines need to go in. And then he mentioned that some time down the road the tendons can get too tight and the plate may need to be removed. She asked well what if we don't have surgery and we just splint it? He said well it won't heal properly and she will most likely be lame. He also mentioned that when he operated on her before during surgery her heart rate was irregular. Now my daughter in law is concerned about putting her through 1 or 2 more surgeries. Anybody had any experience in this area?

[Sbyork]

I had a show puppy break both of the bones in her front leg about 8 months ago. I have the worlds best vet, we decided to put her under and set the leg, looking at xrays along the way to make sure it was lined up. She was a crazy puppy who came home running and 6 weeks latter removed the cast and she was perfect.
I chose NOT to plate the leg because a friends show puppy had the same thing and she went with the plate and she still has problems,
If you can find a vet that will take the time to set the leg properly , I think it would be your best bet,
I have 30yrs showing and breeding yorkies and am a CVT. Sometimes the old tried and true methods still work the best!
saprklingbluyorkies.com

[ladyjane]

I have seen many disastrous problems with pups that did not have surgery to repair bad breaks in their legs.

My advice is to go to a board certified orthopedic surgeon and follow his/her advice.

Please keep in mind that all pups are different...you cannot compare one to another. What worked for one may not work for another and vice versa and each case is different.

[chattiesmom]

You have gotten some very good advice from both sbyork and ladyjane -- it just depends on which way your daughter feels most comfortable. If it were me I would get a second opinion from a board certified orthopedic surgeon. I would be sure to take along a report of the problems that she had with the irregular heart rate so that the ortho could properly evaluate her as a surgery candidate.

If it were up to me, I would rather live with an adult with a limp than take a chance if her heart issue poses a significant risk. Either way she will probably have some pain and problems with arthritis as she ages. Been there, done that and I have pain 24/7 .

Good luck and please keep us posted!

[BlueBelle]

Well, they decided to go ahead with the surgery and they are doing it today. They thought about it and they had researched the ortho vet when he did her knee and decided he was good then, so no reason to think otherwise now.
Prayers are always appreciated.
Marcy

[Mitzis Mom]

We all will put our hands and paws together and pray for the best possible outcome!

[BlueBelle]

Thanks to all the M's for the prayers.

[Lizzie07]

I hope the surgery goes well. I have Italian Greyhounds too and it's a breed that seems to suffer a lot of leg breaks. I've had numerous fosters that have had broken legs. IMO, the plate is the surest way of guaranteeing that the leg will recover well. My 16 yr old IG who passed in Feb had had her leg pinned when she broke it as a puppy. The pin rolled and her show career was ended as her leg was kind of scooped backwards. When I got her, I did discuss with a vet fixing the leg, but it was too iffy, plus she already had arthritis in the knee due to the break. The joint, even though she was only three, was already badly deformed.

Another IG I have, whom I got as a senior has had two leg breaks. One front leg and one rear leg. She had splints only, if that. Both those legs are deformed from healing badly.

All the IGs I've seen who were treated by an ortho and had plates have had beautifully healed legs. I've heard of legs that have healed well that were treated with splints and pins, but I've also heard and seen quite a few that didn't heal well.

[143julz]

Just checking in to see how surgery went, hope all goes well....please post an update

[BlueBelle]

Just got the word that Ellie did well in surgery. Her heart actually did better this time then when she had her LP. She is awake and moving around in her cage at the vets. They are going to let her go home later this afternoon as she is such a Mommy's girl. When she had her LP they were going to keep her over night but she was fussing so much they decided it was better to let her go home so this time they just planned on it if all went according to plan.
Thanks for the prayers and well wishes.
Hugs to all, Marcy

[kay6688]

Glad to hear that the surgery went well! Hugs & Prayers for a speedy recovery!

[Amazing Yorkies]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I have seen many disastrous problems with pups that did not have surgery to repair bad breaks in their legs.

My advice is to go to a board certified orthopedic surgeon and follow his/her advice.

Please keep in mind that all pups are different...you cannot compare one to another. What worked for one may not work for another and vice versa and each case is different.

I agree, I've seen a neighbor's yorkie not set right and had to remove the leg since it didn't heal right

Ooops just noticed the surgery! Prayers for a speedy recovery!

[Patti]

Glad the surgery went well.

[ladyjane]

I believe they made a good decision. I will pray for a speedy recovery for little Ellie!

[shodanusmc]

Heres to a fast recovery and best of luck