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Help with decision for surgery


Sent to Pet Experts July 01, 2006 11:28 p.m.

My 6 mo old Golden Ret was hit by a car on 6/29. He has a broken front right leg, just above the elbow, pretty jagged. There is only ONE specialist, an orthopedic surgeons group, in this area, and the vet on call advised a very expensive procedure, to place a permanent plate with several screws in his leg.
#1 Will his leg grow ok? He's a 6 mo old puppy. (golden ret)
#2. What about nerve damage, can I be guaranteed this will work, as it will cost me about $3000?
#3) Why won't just a plain cast do with this kind of break? I had a poodle years ago who just wore a cast. This vet told me that's a small dog, not this one. Little did she know it was a standard breed! Also, she said a person can use a cast, but not a dog! How true is that statement.
#4 This vet on call wanted to do several EKGs before surgery. Is that really a necessary extra expense? (she said his heart may be bruised the ER Clinic said NO, his gums were good and hearbeat good....) We did one on Friday, now do we do another one.(EKG)$$$
#5- Our . puppy was literally running around today on the 3 good legs, and doing well for the first time in 48 hours, with his splint of course, from the emergency clinic we took him to on Thursday night. What will happen if we don't do this plate thing for his leg? What are our options? Surgery is scheduled for Monday the 3rd of July right now. Any advice would be much appreciated. This orthopedic group has a great reputation, but I don't like the gal vet on call- very arrogant, and didn't answer my questions to my satisfaction. She can't do the surgery, so I'll be happy to have another surgeon, that's for sure. What options are true? What are exagerated, based on the need for help with this terribly fractured leg?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status: Closed   Value: $15   
Answer
July 01, 2006 11:53 p.m. (24 minutes and 59 seconds later)
ACCEPTED Check Mark

I'm really sorry for the stress you're going through, but remember, this little guy survived what many don't! You're very lucky and so is he (especially to have you asking all the right questions)

Remember, I (nor anyone here) has seen your dog and making any decisions without seeing the damage, the location of the damage and extent, is really best left up to the doctor who did see him.

1. His leg should grow fine. Especially with the procedure they advise. In fact, I'm thinking they're recommending them so his leg DOES repair almost like the accident never happened.

2. There is never a guarentee. Did the person who hit the pup stop? His insurance should pay the vet bill. If it was a hit and run (that's even sadder), tell the vet you can't afford the treatment, at least all at once and ask him to work with you.

Good vets are going to put the animal first and try very hard to cooperate with you.

3. Yes, it's a bigger dog who is expected to get heavier than a poodle. Also, the weight impact is different than with people, the physics are just not the same.

4. You already had an EKG done? I'm with you on this one. I'd really question the need for another one. Ask them to put their reasons in writing (sometimes that discourages unnecessary pursuit of procedures).

5. Dogs can do well with three legs, even just two in some exceptional circumstances, but this is just a pup and he sure deserves all four legs if possible.

Untreated breaks have many complications, including throwing bone growth off in his shoulders, neck and spine problems; things that will be ongoing expenses and probably painful, arthritic condtions later on (not necessarily that much later either).

Sometimes when someone (arrogant) rubs us the wrong way, we question everything they said. Plus you're feeling pressured. Not the way to proceed with this! They let him go home, so I'm wondering about that too.

I'd probably have a 2nd opinion come Monday and explain every thing the way you just did here. How about your own vet? How about the vet for anyone you know ? Referrals and recommendations are great ways to find a good doctor no matter what species.

In the meantime, please keep the pup a little calmer and more restricted. Not putting too much weight on the leg and letting the splint do most of the impact control.

Here is a place to begin more research about the fracture (I'm not sure where exactly it is, but you'll find your way around the site and get to it I'm sure)

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/fracture-of-the-humerus-in-dogs/page1.aspx

check back with me and let me know what they do, what you do and how it goes ok?



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