If the leg can be aligned and a cast put on the dog I would consider doing that as a first option. If the leg doesn't heal you can always go in and do the surgery.
I would ask the vet what would have been done before the surgery for plating was available to treat such an injury if the owner did not opt for amputation.
You can read here that there is more than one way to treat a bone break
http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/health/brokenbones.htm
If financing the care would help see if
www.carecredit.com will let you finance it.
And if the cost is really too much, and the vet cannot tell you if there is nerve damage to the leg, which might require its removal later, you should know that dogs can do fine on three legs.
I think the reason they are doing the EKG testing is that there are inherited heart diseases known in Goldens so they don't want to find out a little late that is the problem.
I do think you can see what the vet thinks about using a cast to keep the leg immobile and then only amputate if the leg has nerve damage or won't heal. Sure surgeons always want to operate as the best way to go on this sort of injury but you may find some compromise is possible if you just can't afford the surgery.
Hope this helps you!
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