My Whippet Has Broken A Bone In Her Leg

[lukkylady]

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two weeks ago, our 2 yr old whippet Zoe was in the park with us, having a quick run before dinner

she spotted a cat, and took off after it, and she went down into a near dry river bed into boulders and damaged her front leg

xrays show a broken ulna, and some ligament damage

shes currently in a splint, and painkillers, and will be in the vets weekly for a splint change

she also slashed her inner thigh and broke a tooth

theres a chance she may need an op, if splint doesnt work, and vet spoke about arthritis when shes older

shes our first whippet, and we knew there were dangers when she was running, but never imagined that this would happen

we just hope she recovers well enough to be able to enjoy running again, even if needs to be limited

ive read of similar injuries on here.

was just wondering if anyone had any advice, or things we should be doing or looking out for?

 

[Tigernidster]

Poor you and poor Zoe. What a dreadful thing to happen.

My whippet broke a toe aged 5 months and she was bandaged up to and over her elbow. She ended up with the most dreadful pressure sore on her elbow - it took weeks to heal and she is scarred for life. I believe the vet was irresponsible in rebandaging her when this was apparent and, hindsight being a great thing, I also blame myself for not being more assertive in her treatment. You live and learn.

 

[rls22]

So sorry to read about your girl.

One of our boys broke his rear left leg when he was just 12 weeks old.

Be very careful not to let her go anywhere unsupervised - so she can't jump on any sofas, run up stairs etc. Try and get her to have as much cage rest as possible, visits to the toilet must be on the lead etc.

When the splint comes off see if your vet will be happy to refer you to a dog pyshiotherapist and hydro pool. Diego came on in leaps and bounds through his weekly swims and the massage techniques the physio showed me.

 

[Hula]

Sorry to hear about poor Zoe . Hope her leg heals up well with no operation needed .

( I too had a whippet called Zoe , she was a little darling )

 

[rls22]

Also, get in touch with Dorwest Herbs and see what supplements they recommend that can help.

I gave Diego these while he was recovering http://www.dorwest.com/prodinfo.asp?number=SYM15C

And he continues to get one of these every single day and will do for the rest of his life http://www.dorwest.com/prodinfo.asp?number=GC which should help the joints and cartilage that has been damaged and should help reduce the effects of arthritis as she gets older.

 

[lukkylady]

thanks for replies

and will look up that herbal site, sounds like a good idea!

 

[rls22]

And I am sure she will make a wonderful recovery. Diego has a rather bent hock to look at, but he is the fastest of all our dogs now and get an hours free running every day.

It was a long hard slog to get him to this stage, but he's worth it !

 

[lukkylady]

i have emailed the herbal site, and will tell you of any recommendations!

 

[fallenangel]

I have a whippet with fragile bones that's break easily she had done both front legs by a year old and now most toes. she was in plaster that's much we used to take her out in a baby buggy to stop her getting board stuck in a cage all day. with supplements and exercise its helped to strengthen her bones and she is now 4 ad runs about like a nutter with the others. she can't be pined when she has a break as her bone are weaker than average so her front legs both bow out and she looks like a clothe peg. shes always given glucosamine and devils claw and after her last bump has a limp on her front leg but shes in no pain and loves life and still toy fights and plays with the others. we do watch her but shes happy and loves life so we let her have one and its done her the world of good. you will have your hart in your mouth the first few times you let her free run again but she will

 

[Whippets4eva]

Awww bless her :wub: she does look sorry for herself

Wishing Zoe a speedy recovery :huggles:

:luck: :luck:

 

[Macha]

I would look into the possibility/advisibility of some type protection for her paw and support for her leg after she comes out of the splint; I've seen that with ligament damage humans often wear a support for up to 3 months on the limb concerned. I don't know much about this, just saying it's worthwhile making enquiries.

 

[TillynPip]

So sorry to read about your girl.
One of our boys broke his rear left leg when he was just 12 weeks old.

Be very careful not to let her go anywhere unsupervised - so she can't jump on any sofas, run up stairs etc. Try and get her to have as much cage rest as possible, visits to the toilet must be on the lead etc.

When the splint comes off see if your vet will be happy to refer you to a dog pyshiotherapist and hydro pool. Diego came on in leaps and bounds through his weekly swims and the massage techniques the physio showed me.

Couldn't agree more with this. Our dog broke her left hind femur two years ago in an RTA, clean break on this thickest part of the leg so should have healed well but she got out and loosened one of the pins so it had to be re-pinned. Second op wasn't successful so a third op was required when an American technique was used. A special pin and synthetic bone was flown in from USA which did the job and the leg healed. Unfortunately, well away from the break site, a small piece of bone had died through lack of blood supply (trauma) and, after everything she had been through, the leg had to be amputated. This whole process took from January to August and was one of the most distressing periods of my life - not to mention Tilly's and I live with the guilt every time I look at my lovely girl.

Watch Zoe like a hawk - time consuming and sometimes frustrating but well worth it. The best of luck to you both and let us know how she fares.

 

[peppermint lady]

so sorry to hear your whippy has broken her leg

fingers crossed she has a speedy recovery :luck:

shes lovely :wub:

 

[lukkylady]

just an update

vets werent happy with the splint, and decided to go ahead and operate.

vets phoned and said the operation went on longer than they anticipated, and operation wasnt as successful as they had hoped.

they removed bone fragments, and pinned the bone, which they were happy with, but they also had to pin were the ligaments were stretched & damaged? as still wasnt stable enough with just the one pin.

they are hoping that this will help, and to be checked again in 3 weeks time.

and maybe a chance another op is needed

coming home tomorrow

 

[posh totty]

And I am sure she will make a wonderful recovery. Diego has a rather bent hock to look at, but he is the fastest of all our dogs now and get an hours free running every day.It was a long hard slog to get him to this stage, but he's worth it !

oh no i must have missed this??? so sorry to hear he was poorly and lovely to hear he is fine now x

 

[posh totty]

just an update
vets werent happy with the splint, and decided to go ahead and operate.

vets phoned and said the operation went on longer than they anticipated, and operation wasnt as successful as they had hoped.

they removed bone fragments, and pinned the bone, which they were happy with, but they also had to pin were the ligaments were stretched & damaged? as still wasnt stable enough with just the one pin.

they are hoping that this will help, and to be checked again in 3 weeks time.

and maybe a chance another op is needed

coming home tomorrow

good luck!!!!!! i hope all goes well and she has a fast recovery xxx

 

[TillynPip]

Keeping our paws crossed for you. Keep us posted

 

[Esty]

Wishing you and Zoe lots of luck :luck: What a horrible thing to happen. Makes you realise it only takes a split second, but we can't stop them running - it's what they were born to do!