puppy with fractured leg - feel so overwhelmed and down

[janmk]

My 17 week old pippy has been on rest for threee weeks after a small fracture and then on reprat xrays to chexk healing we find there has been a new more complex one. She had surgery yesterday and is on crate rest for 6 weeks min. I am heartbroken , on pins and anxious as. We go on holiday shortly after the xrays and I am so unsure of what is to come, finding crate rest hell for the pup and me and unsure if the sitter will have her 😞.
Has anyone been through similar ? 6-8 weeks feels like forever and I am scared for another setback !

Just a thought, but might the vets have someone experienced who could board her for you?

Deep sympathies on the crate rest. I once had to crate an injured kitten and he really did not agree with the idea (he was inclined to bounce off the walls and land on the injury), so I can imagine a puppy would be even worse. Can you at least take her around showing her the world from her crate in the back of the car?

I won't ask how she did it. Puppies are idiots.

Where did you buy the puppy from? Was it a reputable breeder and did you see the mother?

Honestly, OP I would cancel the holiday if you can. Although, I know it's probably not want you want to hear...

Your puppy is really frustrated and stressed. That will get worse the longer she is in the crate - particularly at the age she is now (this is when they enter their 'I'm a tosser' phase). You going away is going to exacerbate that.

I had to crate one of my dogs for a few weeks once. It's exhausting on both the individual and the dog. On the days I had no choice but to go into the office, he was awful. He cried. Defecated in his crate (despite being house trained). Made himself sick with stress. Scratched himself raw with stress etc.

Our puppy did the same, not sure why reputable breeder/seeing mother is considered relevant. Puppies have accidents, as do grown dogs.

Crate rest was challenging but we got through it. We also rigged up a high line in the garden that we could attach her lead to, so she could be outside and watch the world go by without endangering herself or the healing process.

It's difficult but you'll get through it. Keep doing reward based training as much as you can (assuming she's ok to do sit, down, stand etc.).

Honestly, OP I would cancel the holiday if you can

Actually, that's a thought -- does your pet insurance cover that? Some will let you recoup lost holiday costs.

I can't remember whether I ticked that box or not, now I think about it.

I had to crate rest my puppy, numerous times, due to a very incompetent vet. Used many different things to keep pup as amused as possible and engaged as young dogs should be. Drove to numerous locations and parked up, got pup out to sniff or sit and watch the world go by. Snuffle mats, kongs, licky mats with meals soaked and divided between. If you're in the south west I'm happy to help with boarding while you're away if stuck and the dates work.

My puppy broke her leg at 12 weeks old. She had it pinned with a cage on the outside of her thigh. It was a rough 6 weeks I won't lie. Keeping her crate rest was near impossible. I did have her out with me on the sofa or little wanders around the house. They just didnt want her to walk too much on it but she acted like it wasn't broken!!! I don't think it's fair for a dog sitter so have that burden and you puppy will want you anyway. My girl is 7 months old now and I'm so glad we got through it. I also purchased one of those dog pushchairs so we could still take her out with us. Are you holidaying in the uk? Maybe she could still go and have a pushchair? Just make sure you ask the vets and get all the meds you need. My vets are a chain so they are all over the country. You'll get through this period. It is hard but it will pass xxx

Thanks for your replies . My holiday is abroad with family and I would stand to lose 5K - and also it is hopefully at the end of her rest period so i am thinking finding a quiet home to board or someone to come in may help . I am so worried it wint fix or break again tho . it is making me ill .....

thank you for your kind words and offer - we are midlands but much appreciated ❤️❤️

Yes I agree - saw the breeder and mum . Think we have just had very bad luck ! thank you for your comments and tips . x rays are 6 weeks - whats the best i can hope for then ?

Please don't be afraid to message if you need to OP, am genuinely happy to help. In the interim, try and find a practitioner that offers Indiba therapy, it greatly assists healing.

thanks- will look it up . I am not sure how to message on here. Not used it for a while .... x

Oh gosh, what a worry. My dog broke his back when he was 6, crate rest for weeks and had to wear a special harness to support his legs as he learnt to walk again. You'd not know it happened now though. It's really hard work on crate rest so you have my sympathy. I think your best bet is to stay speaking to boarding kennels about the situation and scope out some options.

Our (now 3-year-old) boy did this when he was 10 weeks old by falling off a sofa (complex twisted fracture that needed surgery at a specialist vet hospital). It was an awful 8 weeks, especially as he HATED crate rest and would scream and jump on his hind legs to get out. My daughter even had to climb into the crate with him (soft crate) to keep him calm - she even slept with him in there 😂 But we soon gave up on the crate and just kept him on a lead inside the house to stop him from jumping and carried him around everywhere. He healed completely and now is a super fast runner and a talented agility dog 👍I wouldn't trust anyone else to take care of him while he recovers though.

what a positive story ! I feel i have no choice but to get someone else to help tho due to the holiday and no cancellation option. We are at least 7 weeks post surgery however so possibly a bit more freedom by then ? I feel like I will be on pins at her jumping anywhere after this ! Did you have xrays at 6 or 8 weeks ? Did they give you free reign after that ?

applogies to all for my re quoting - not sure how to use this app to reply ??

Thanks - and once again good to hear positive news . Was booked for a home board options but unsure what is best now . As it will be Easyer hols will be tricky x

I have considered the stroller - but on her last walk before injury she was very nervous so I dont know how it will go ! wpuld she freak out and hurt herself ?

I think we had x-rays after 6 weeks but actually they weren't initially that positive in our dog's case because the vet said although he sees signs of healing, it wasn't actually healed and he even suggested further surgery (which we refused). We gave it another few weeks - limiting him by keeping him on a lead at all times indoors and outside and carrying him around/keeping him on our laps as much as possible and then magically when we went for a further check-up a few weeks later, the vet gave him the all-clear.

Our dog wanted to run and jump everywhere very soon after surgery though and I think that's why it hadn't healed by the time the first x-rays came around. Plus, it was his hind leg that was broken and he was jumping on it trying to escape the crate which defeated the purpose of the crate.

ahh - again a positive post . Im going to suffer the wrayj of the bouncing dog I am sure . I am gutted I didnt take out more insurance too ! I cant believe the costs .
Its good to hear from others that have gone through similar .

i have pm'd u

Sorry just replying. The stroller I had had two clips either side so was easy to attach her safely in and still give her room to move. Put in chews and treats. I am so glad we had her insured for upto 10k as we only had her 4 weeks and it's cost over 4k so far 😭

thank you - she hasnt been put much - weather and corcumstances but we will try .
She is 4 days post surgery and just had a wild hour . the grandparents dropped the kids off and she was nuts in the crate so got her out to chew a none on my knee but she was so wriggly and nuts and i hVe convinced myaelf we hVe undone her surgery🙈🙈