Splint for Labrador with Achilles rupture?

[Theresahairbrushinthefridge]

Does anyone have any experiences of getting a custom made splint instead of surgical options?

No experience with dogs, but I do know a human who had a snapped achilles tendon repaired by a plaster cast followed by a splint boot thing, and it healed perfectly.

They are saying it won't heal without surgery but we don't feel that the rehabilitation would be successful. Months of cage rest and then very carefully building up exercise. She's a skittish, bouncy, insecure dog who would hate being kept away from family. She will very likely do the other tendon too as she has a strange way of running.

Very complicated. Hours of agonising over what to do.

I am not a vet but an fully ruptured achilles tendon will not heal without surgery as far as I know.

Why are you concerned about rehab?

Generally dogs take ok to cage rest and she will be with you and her family during this time.

Cage rest can mean many things - I have had dogs on cage rest and it was fine to have them on a lead next to me in the room I was in for hours whilst I did desk work or watched tv etc.

They are obviously not allowed to run around and do need to spend time in their cage but there are loads of things you can do eg a bone to chew will keep the occupied for quite a time or interactive games you can get buggies and take them out and about so they are not bored.

It need not be an impossible task many of us have had to do it with their dogs and pretty soon it becomes a distant memory.

How long are they saying for cage rest?

Cage rest doesn’t mean they have to be crated away from you... it means confined so they’re not moving.

Most of the cage rest my dog has had has been in a corner made by rearranging my furniture so he was beside the couch and we could sit next to him and interact with him.

Even if you attempt conservative treatment you still need the cage rest and gradual increase in exercise.
However, due to dogs (and cats) anatomy the snapped end of the tendon needs to be located and reattached to correct the anatomical changes which conservative treatment can not do.