Broken leg - please reassure me :-(

[Bool]

Got a new puppy who is now 7 months old. I and the kids adore him. Just adore him. I am working from home so he is my constant companion. Today one of the neighbours wanted to take him for a walk with his teenage daughter. They love him too. When he was out he was running with the daughter (she is about 17) and they entangled legs and my dogs leg broke. He is at the vet - had an x ray and it is broken right through both bones. Right front leg. He will stay there tonight on opiate painkillers and will see the surgeon tomorrow. Please reassure me he will be ok. It’s my first dog and I love him to pieces. Can’t stop bursting into tears. Feel so silly. Do you think they will operate tomorrow? How quickly will they prioritise it? He needs it pinning. He sees the surgeon tomorrow for an assessment. When will he be home? How long to mend etc. Thanks x

I have no answers for you but from what you say I gather he is medicated for the pain and they'll decide tomorrow the best way forward.

You're not being silly to be upset and worried x

On a positive note he is young and healthy and with tlc and medication he will probably bounce back in no time

Yes he is on painkillers and will stay at the emergency vet tonight because they have staff that will keep an eye on him. He will see surgeon tomorrow but I have no idea if they will operate quickly or not. It just breaks my heart he won’t know what is happening.

What breed is he? I'm sure he'll be fine
He'll likely need an external fixator - is he insured?

Hi! He is a cavapoo. The surgeon has seen the break. It is a clean break across both bones. They have booked him in tomorrow for the op. The fact the surgeon has now seen it and said they can operate tomorrow - that has put my mind at rest a bit. He may be home tomorrow night depending on the pain. At least with a bit of certainty now I have stopped crying! Thanks for the handhold.

My first dog broke his leg in a similar way, had it pinned and plated and lived until the grand old age of 19! He was a smaller breed though so less weight on the leg and we treated him for arthritis in the leg when he was older. Vets are very good now.

Oh bless him! Fingers crossed for a quick recovery though I do hope you have him insured as otherwise surgery and recovery/physio could be extremely expensive.

The good thing is that he's young and likely to bounce back much quicker than an older dog. Do you have a crate or quiet space for him to rest in when he's home?

Isnt is horrible when they hurt themselves. I hope the op goes well and he is home tomorrow.

He’ll be fine
I work in a specific animal rescue that deals with lots and lots of broken legs. Clean breaks can be fixed with pins quite routinely.
He’s a small dog too, and young which will all help with his healing.

You’ll need to find ways to occupy him whilst he recovers, get some puzzle feeders, lickimats etc.

Front or back leg?

Oh that sounds horrible.

Having had to keep my dog on restricted exercise for several weeks at a time I would start to think practically about where he will sleep and rest so he can recover.

Thank you so much all for your kind words. That is really reassuring to hear about you dog @QuestionableMouse. And @RunningFromInsanity thank you for your reassurance. That’s a great idea about getting him some things to keep him occupied. I will do that now so they are ready when he gets home. It’s my first dog and I am shocked how emotional I was. Thank you to all of you x

Yes agree with bitey shark. He'll look terribly sad for about a day and then he will be an energiser bunny who can't remember why he's in a cast or has a cone of shame... Use these valuable moments to ensure you have enough brain engaging feeders/toys and practical solutions for accessing various places in the house!! Your breaking heart (been there!!) will turn into' what fresh hell is this!!!! ' soon enough. And best of all, you'll be so grateful for it!

Ps @RunningFromInsanity it is his front leg. I guess that is a small blessing at least as he does like to stand on his back legs!!!

Sympathies tho OP. I'm a mess when my girl gets sick or injured. It'll all be OK.

Bones heal - he will be fine poor little chap

@BiteyShark and @Artykitty666 yes he has his bed area in the kitchen and we have a stair gate to stop him running around so will make sure that is all ready. And I am working from home anyway so will keep a sharp eye. And kids are on half term for 2 weeks. They will also give him a lot of love. Going to buy some of these toys now. X

@Artykitty666 was in a right mess!

Please follow your surgeons instructions this particular type of break of the front leg in poodles and poodle crosses is very tricky, a clean straight break is worse than a angular one. If you follow the instructions it almost certainly will heal, but you must do what you are told a exercise.

@Lonecatwithkitten ah I didn’t know that. The vet said it was a standard op and the fact it was a clean break was actually a good thing. I am not sure if it is straight or angular - just that it is clean - which she said is better.

You need to think up lots of games and training to keep his brain busy whilst he is immobile. He will get bored and frustrated and it will help if his mind is kept occupied.

You can get puzzle toys to put kibble in.

Kongs and other toys filled with treats or wet food are good. We use Primula. They last longer if you freeze them.

Chew toys are great.

You can train him to do things like leave food you drop, put his chin on your hand, etc to relieve the boredom too.

Our terrier was immobile for 6 weeks as a young dog. I put her crate in the middle of the kitchen so there was lots going on around her.

He’s going in for surgery today. Didn’t sleep so well thinking of him in a strange place. He will be so confused. Am hoping he will be back home tonight. Apparently will depend on his pain and how he seems post op. Am thinking I should crate him again the first few nights. Will see how forgetful he is that his leg hurts.

I think you might need to prepare yourself for strict rest for several weeks.

To avoid jumping and running about when mine has been on strict rest I emptied a room out (all our rooms are downstairs) and had just a mattress on the floor so I could sit with him and he could mooch about without injuring himself. Think about how you can avoid any jumping as well as how to take them out to toilet on a lead.

I'm sure he'll be fine at the vets, between the opiates and the general loveliness of vet nurses. Don't be worrying on that score.
Good advice from BiteyShark. Arranging somewhere people can sit with him on the floor sounds like a really good idea, I assume jumping down off sofas etc is particularly to be avoided. Yes to the crate, to keep him out of trouble.

He had the op this morning and woke up fine. Op went well. He is staying at the vet tonight though because his pain was still high and he needed injections. I wanted to see him tonight but they advised against it as he would get too excited and they want him to sleep. Also because he would then pine for me all night. They are right. So we are ready to have him back home tomorrow. The kids have been fully briefed. Told the seriousness. They are ready and responsible. He will need to be caged for 6 weeks. Only allowed out for 5 x 5 min walks a day on a lead in the garden. Cuddles only on the floor. Can’t wait to have him home. Have ordered lickimats and the kids will spend half term thinking up creative options! Googling what he can and can’t eat every time! Thanks all. Feeling more relaxed tonight and have eaten something.

@BiteyShark I love your approach. How much we love these animals x

@ErrolTheDragon yes I told the vet nurse tonight to give him a big kiss and cuddle from us