my puppy broke his non weight bearing has anybody had this experience and what should I do . The xray actually showed it was fractured and they said I could split it or not and I chose not to but I can't seem to keep her calm in a cage and I'm losing my mind someone please help
Re: help.. broken toe Oh dear, that must be very stressful!! You poor thing. Which toe is it? What has the vet advised? If the toe was immobilised would your pup be able to come out of the cage? Is your pup on any painkillers? I've broken a toe and it was unbelievably painful...
Re: help.. broken toe He said either splint or not. Should heal either way. But he gave sedative s and said cage confinement for 4-6 weeks. I know splints can cause sores and ulcers and bacteria or yeast growth. I dont know what to do. no pain killers because it will mask the pain and make her more active on it. its the outer right front paw toe. The good thing is its a non weight bearing so no surgery is needed. just wondering if I should splint it and who has had this problem b4. ( Not to mention I have ave a 3 yr old lab to
Re: help.. broken toe If splinting want make any difference to healing or to the need for confinement then don't worry about splinting If your pup is confined then he won't be getting the chance to over-exercise and so I personally don't see the value in not providing painkillers. The toe will be very painful for your puppy. I myself would be insisting on pain relief. That may settle your puppy down - a bonus What has the vet advised re. exercise? I guess he is allowed short on-lead trips out to the garden? One thing you could do some research on is how to keep a confined dog occupied. You can still do a lot of training (tricks etc) to keep him occupied mentally There are a few threads about this. I have to run off to work now but maybe do some searching on this site and the Internet generally for ways of keeping a confined dog (or a dog recovering from surgery) occupied Hope that helps a bit. I know it'd be very very stressful for you right now and you have my total sympathy.
Re: help.. broken toe Great point and good idea. Thank u so tired can't think out of the box. Thank you
Re: help.. broken toe Much sympathy. I've been managing a young, super lively lab on crate rest since last November. I was quite driven to distraction at first! Here are a few things I posted. Best of luck. [quote author=JulieT link=topic=4350.msg52625#msg52625 date=1391691150] We experimented with different routines until we found the durations and frequency he tolerated. This is Charlie's routine: 6am Out to the garden on a lead for a pee, playtime and cuddles, physio exercises 7.30am 25 – 30 min lead walk After walk: settle down in his pen with a 8in1 chew Mid morning: clicker train any new physio exercises Noon: Physio exercises then 15 – 20 min lead walk Mid afternoon: Playtime 4pm 25 – 30 min lead walk After walk - settle down in pen with a small rice – or similar - chew 6pm Physio exercises, then 10 – 15 min lead walk Frozen Kongs after the 6pm walk Cuddles and back and leg massages mid evening, more frozen kongs 10pm 5 – 10 min lead walk When Charlie isn't doing any of the above he is in his pen, or in the kitchen if someone is working in there. If I let him have the run of the house, he would drive me mad with his constant nagging, chewing and general refusal to settle. In terms of time fillers, I can't claim credit for them - I think every one of these has been suggested on the forum and I've just collected the ones that work for us: 8in1 filled rawhide (small - only one a day) Anco roots Pizzles Frozen kongs Hard packaging with kibble inside An entire newspapers scrunched up in one big pass the parcel with a bit of kibble in each sheet Frozen rice hedgehogs filled with soaked kibble Kong goodie bones (I fill these with sea wraps - sticks of sweet potato wrap in fish skin) Kong wobblers Kibble hidden between the balls of a trixie cube The best quiet game is he has to lie very still (if he moves, we don't play) and catch a soft ball (we use the trixie cube balls) and give it back to me. He loves it, and will play it for ages. [/quote]
Re: help.. broken toe Really sorry to hear of your problem. Poor dog, and poor you. Dogs do adjust to crate rest to some extent, so he should become calmer in a day or two. Lots of helpful ideas posted already - you can also buy puzzle toys which some dogs enjoy The Nina Ottoson range are quite good.
Re: help.. broken toe I'm sorry I have no experience of this but just wanted to send you some support....it must be incredibly hard and I'm sorry for your situation.how did it happen? Best wishes Angela x
Re: help.. broken toe So sorry to hear this, I can only imagine it is very difficult. Don't have any more advice to give except to hang in there, you will get through it. Do you have anyone else who can help with puppy care so that you can have a break now and then? Might be good to get a sanity break!
Re: help.. broken toe Lucan broke a toe last year, outside one on a back leg, he too didn't have painkillers but our vet didn't advise cage rest, she just told us to let him do what exercise he wanted but on grass only and try to keep him as quiet as possible. He limped around for several weeks but it healed ok in the end. Admittedly his toe was straight and not too swollen so probably not as bad as your pups. Hope it heals quickly and good luck with the cage rest.
Re: help.. broken toe Thanks everyone for your responses. I took her back to the vet. I forgot my neighbor is a vet tech for many years. She highly suggested a splint because it should heal faster. I haven't had any problems so far with the splint but I can tell shes in pain because of the panting. ww whento the vet since its been in a week and she gained 4 pounds which me she will need the splint exchanged soon once she grows a littke more. RE: pain. I had her on buffered asprin for a week twice a day and the vet just prescribed Rimadyl. Except she has been on asprin and said she cant start the rimabyl until tomorrow per the vet tech....she was not to convincing. Does anyone know how long I have to wait to give rimadyl after the last dose of asprin???? She remains crated with frequent toy time and mommy time. But I need to make her comfortable for her to sleep good. any suggestions ????
Re: help.. broken toe I'm afraid I don't know how long to wait - but best to go with your vet's advice. Aspirin is not the best painkiller for dogs - there are many better ones (i.e. anything prescribed by a vet). The Rimadyl should help once she gets started on that I'm sure that all the cuddles are helping too
Re: help.. broken toe Sorry to hear of your situation. Try using a Kong (or similar) stuffed with low fat cheese and a few pieces of her daily kibble (slightly reduce normal daily kibble quantity to avoid overfeeding), this often keeps a dog happily occupied for some time, both physically and mentally. I would also cover her crate with a blanket (door end uncovered) which along with her bed and a few toys/Kong will create a cosy, calm and safe den. You can also try placing the crate in a room that is quiet away from any children, the tv and the daily hustle and bustle, this may help keep her calm and less hyperactive due to reduced stimulation. Now and again pop back to see her in order to reassure her that you are still around but do not get her too excited, if this does happen turn your back and walk away until see calms down. When she remains calm praise her calmly. If she wimpers try to ignore her as it is likely she will stop after a few minutes. Regarding pain relief, I am not a vet, however in my opinion there is no reason why any dog should be in pain, there are many types of pain relief and anti-inflammatories e.g. Metacam.
