Broken Puppy

[Robtouw]

Can't wait until I get the all cleared from his surgeon in November! That goofball got in trouble this am. I let him off leash to stretch for a few minutes.....within two he was trying to tease my Arab into racing along the fence! Jumping and barking like a total fool! I think other than having a slight limp, he has forgotten that he is healing! It is terribly difficult to keep a 6 month old puppy from playing and running! My hubby also plays with him and forgets to make him stay calm and no jumping. He is finally beginning to turn his feet back inwards to a more normal position. He had been doing what I call a cowboy kick with toes pointed outward, leaning to the right to keep weight off of his left leg. If he knows we are watching he limps and does not walk with his foot flat to the ground, when he is excited, playing or outdoors he walks pretty normal with a slight limp. I am anxious to see what physical therapy entails!

 

[Jakesmum]

I am so happy to hear he's doing so well!

 

[Robtouw]

I am trying to keep posting on this thread just to establish a helpful time line for anyone that may have the same experience. Cruiser is finally walking pretty normal on his leg with his feet turned in the correct position. He is walking, jumping, climbing and running and back to acting stupid as usual! He does have a weird gait to his stride that he did not before the accident. His left leg kind of turns outward a bit in a clumsy motion when he is at a slow walk, but not noticeable at a run. His final set of xrays are scheduled for November 9th. I am hoping the surgeon gives him the all clear for normal activity. We were told that if it heals well and there are no muscular attachments or tissue attachments to the plate we may not have to remove it but will need to have yearly xrays to monitor it.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Yay!

 

[neomama]

Prayers are going out to you and Cruiser

 

[musicdeb]

Good to hear he's doing better.

 

[Robtouw]

Today's the day! Finally we are driving up this afternoon for the post xrays to see if the femur has totally healed. I have my fingers crossed and am praying for good results. If I don't get this goofball back to walking, playing and romping soon, his pent up energy level will kill us! Its been horrible trying to keep a 6 month old puppy from playing hard with no climbing, jumping, romping and no walking over 5 minutes! It has been nearly impossible!!

 

[shodanusmc]

Hope all goes great for you guys. I know how hard it is to keep a pup quiet. One of your Yorkie Boys broke his left front leg at 5 months, and his right front leg at 10 months. One time he jumped from my brother in law's arms, and another time the dog sitter dropped him. Both times, clean brake and needed a tiny plate and screws. Healed perfectly, no limp, just as if it never happened, but he does have $3,000 into each leg. He will still need to take it easy for a few more months.

 

[goldilocks338]

Good luck!! I couldn't imagine trying to keep a puppy from playing... I was going crazy trying to keep Romy off of his foot for 2 weeks when he had stitches in his foot and he was over a year and a half old.

 

[musicdeb]

Good luck! Let us know what the vet has to say.

 

[Robtouw]

Had a great vet visit! Xrays were amazing! His femur is nice & solid, and has grown almost 2 inches and you can't tell there was a break, except for the metal and pins that are visable. There is a little concern about the way he turns his feet out, but the vet says it may be due to his compensating for the pain while healing and should eventually correct itself. The bone itself is growing in a more curved way to compensate for the pins. He got the green light to go back to playing, jumping and romping, thank GOD! His vet usually leaves at 1 on Fridays, but made a special appt at 3 just for us! After a lot of playing, then exam he asked if he could take Cruiser out to their playground/agility center to play. He said he usually gets a lot of adult mastiffs but not many puppies. He and Cruiser spent almost 40 min playing and having a great time! I felt guilty when I interrupted to say we needed to go because we had a 2hr drive home. Dr. Keller looked like I had just taken away his favorite toy! I would recommend VSRP in Cary, NC, especially Dr. Keller any time! They were all wonderful!

 

[Smart_Family]

Yay! So good to hear!

 

[Confused68]

So sad! I'm glad he's ok and you were able to get some great help with him! What a wonderful surgeon!

 

[ruthcatrin]

Wooohooo!

 

[musicdeb]

Great news! Cruiser can run and play!

 

[Robtouw]

Cruiser had his checkup on Saturday Feb 2nd. Weighed in at 145lbs @ 9.5 months. His left foot is cowhocked a bit, not extreme. His doctors believe it is from leaning to the right to compensate for the pain on his left side while broken/healing and are pretty certain it is permanent. He functions normal and has no issues with supporting the rear, just looks a bit funny otherwise everything was just fine! The bone has grown more than 2.5 inches since the surgery and it is difficult to find the metal in the soft tissue. Cruiser does act like his leg aches in bad weather, just like we do, poor guy! He spent the time at the vet smooching all the ladies and nuzzling boobs. Can't figure out how to stop the boop nuzzling! He's a true male!

 

[ruthcatrin]

Glad to hear he's ok! and LOL at such a boy! Did the vet recommend anything specific to help with the bone aches?

 

[tb44]

So glad to hear he is doing great!! Do you have new pics of him?

 

[Robtouw]

No the surgeon did not recommend anything other than a heating pad to help with the bone aches. He explained weather related aches the same way my physician described mine. Cruiser limps a little in extreme cold but still goes out without prompting but doesn't stay out in it too long. He's a funny boy, we had a nice freeze with a good bit of ice on the grass after raining. He made it clear ice is great to snack on but he did not like it on his paws! I'll need to take some new pics!

 

[ruthcatrin]

Yah well, I was hoping for something new lol. Glad to hear he's coping though!