Katdogs Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 My sister's little dog Eddie took a leap from a much higher spot than he should have. Everyone in the family is devastated that they couldn't catch him in time, it was just one of those dreadful accidents. The ortho specialist vet says that he's got good bone density, is young and fit and healthy, so he's having pins/plates put in tomorrow in both legs ($$$OMG). He will need to be kept off his feet for at least three weeks. Has anyone else been in this situation? How should my sister do the practical things, like keep him off his feet, do toileting, should they feed him anything different, how do they keep his brain busy? He's a lovely dog for just sitting and cuddling, but he's only a year old so used to zoomies and keeping track of three or four people at a time, so they're worried about boredom as well as the practicalities. Doesn't he need some sort of exercise to keep the bowels working? I'm sure the vet hospital will give lots of advice but I know from my own situation with my Orijen cat that practical nursing advice for home is the hardest to absorb when you're in a stressful situation - so any helpful tips from DOLers will be greatly appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bisart Dobes Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 1. Which state do they live in ?? 2. Which specialist ?? & what surgery ? I wouldn't worry about boredom - this is a major surgery and will take the dog at least 2 wks to recover. Pain killers will be in force for probably 7 days and then once the bandages are off and wounds totally healed you should get them to take him to a rehab centre to get the best use of his legs again. Dogs seem to cope really well in recumberance and adapt really quickly to whatever their situation is. Pain management and wound healing will take the better part of 2 weeks. Good luck to them and their little boy - if they are in Vic I can recommend a fabulous rehab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gracie Monsta Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 Crate and lots of chew things. We used a towel to make a sling and placed it under Gracies chest to take the weight off her front legs. She is a big girl so it took two of us to hold her up for toilet breaks. I kept the crate in my bedroom away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Most of the time she spent sleeping due to the pain meds (first 2 wks). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katdogs Posted January 10, 2010 Author Share Posted January 10, 2010 (edited) Bisart: NSW, specialist at Parramatta. It's the day-to-day care that's worrying - especially toileting and feeding. I don't know how long he'll be in hospital/vet after the surgery - are you saying it might be a week or two there, before he comes home? GM: I had nightmares last night about this happening with Stevie - it would take two people to hold her up too! Poor little Eddie is only Iggy-sized so a sling from a scarf or big tea-towel might be enough. Thanks. Edited January 10, 2010 by Katdogs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bisart Dobes Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 Bugger - I don't know any rehabs there - will try and find out for you. If he's little they could carry him out and then hold him under chest to support his front - some dogs are weight bearing in as little as 3 days but with both legs I'm not sure. The specialist will tell them whats probable. I would do the sling thing GM put above - it allows you to stand upright and not end up with a broken back by the end of it all . Depends on the surgery and how the dog copes with it but I would say that 3 days at vet would be expected - as I said they will tell them expected timeline. Get them to write down all the questions they have because you forget to ask when the emotions take over. Sending healing thoughts his way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gracie Monsta Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 Gracie was in for 4 days with the fracture, she came home with morphine patches on, pain killers and valium to keep her quiet. After care was just to make sure the wound looked nice and healthy, no swelling etc. We were given a 2 page essay on what had been done and a list of do's and don'ts. Feeding was just what we normally fed her but I cut it back a bit to allow for the chew things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bully Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 Poor Eddie Pele broke the 4 bones in her front foot as a 9 month old puppy. That was only 1 foot. I don't envy your sister with 2 broken legs Crate and lots of chew toys and stuffed Kongs. Put all his meals in Kongs to keep him occupied. Pele had to have a bucket on her head 24/7 because she wouldn't leave the bandages alone Good luck with the poor little boy, and for a speedy and full recovery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 How awful for everyone - poor little Eddie . No advice, I'm sorry. Just wanted to send good wishes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BooBooBear Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 Just sending love and a speedy recovery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormie Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 Poor little Eddie... A few years ago at our previous clinic we saw a little Iggy puppy that had jumped off their back verandah and snapped both her front legs. We pinned both her legs and she coped amazingly well - within a few days she was literally walking around on her two hind legs!!! Her owners crated her and just took her outside to toilet on lead and did a really good job with her. Once the pins were out she was pretty much back to normal and as far as I know, had no further difficulties. I had some video somewhere of her walking on her back legs, will see if I can find it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rappie Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 The specialist that you're seeing is fantastic so you're in good hands and I'm sure he'll answer any questions you have. There is a physiotherapist that does some work from that practice if it ends up being required. I remember an Iggy with bilateral distal radial fractures being in hospital while I was at uni - if I remeber correctly, she had a giant beanbag in her cage and with sufficient attention from many vet students she was happy to just lounge around. Keeping his brain busy is a good idea. Toileting will need some care, but in a young healthy dog as long as food and water go in, pee and poop should come out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katdogs Posted January 11, 2010 Author Share Posted January 11, 2010 Surgery has gone very well and Eddie has wagged his tail! He's done so well this afternoon he's going home tomorrow morning! My sister is very grateful for all the tips and suggestions. She can handle children from newborn to teenagers in all moods and injuries/conditions, but hasn't had to nurse a dog before. Rappie, I think the physio at Parramatta is the same one I saw with my cat when she was paralysed - Helen Nicholson. She's brilliant! I learnt sooo much about how to handle and massage Rocky to keep her more comfortable. I'd have no hesitation in going back to Helen for advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grace Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 Good news Eddie is doing ok and will be home tomorrow. I hope he has a speedy and pain free recovery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rappie Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 Rappie, I think the physio at Parramatta is the same one I saw with my cat when she was paralysed - Helen Nicholson. She's brilliant! I learnt sooo much about how to handle and massage Rocky to keep her more comfortable. I'd have no hesitation in going back to Helen for advice. It is Helen and you're quite right she is brilliant, and lovely to boot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 All good wishes for Eddie . . . . . and for his mum . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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