Rocco's injury

[jordanln97]

We're at the vet now with rocco, and they think its a fracture above his knee. As of right now, they think our optins are leaving it to heal itself, pinning it (surgery), and a cast up to his abdomen. What should i choose?

 

[addictedtochins]

What about amputation? That seems to be the usual option and I know they do fine on 3 legs. I'm sorry

 

[Laurie]

Chins do quite well with amputation Jordan, but Steven has also had a chin with his leg pinned.

 

[jordanln97]

We decided to put him on a painkiller with a calcium supplement and wait 4 weeks. If he hasn't started healing by then, it gets amputated. It was broken in three places above the knee. Sounds like a bad idea, but I have faith.

 

[Lynn & The Chins]

Please be sure to put him in a VERY small cage or carrier so that he is not tempted to move around a lot or quickly. No shelves, hammock or anything else on or into which he might attempt to jump.

Ash had a chin with a broken pelvis. Here is his thread about Tia:

http://chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13392&highlight=broken

 

[Ash]

Without being set, the bone isn't going to just knit itself back together in the right places. especially not if it's broken in 3 different spots.

Tia's injury was left as it was because there wasn't any way to set her bones at the pelvis and the injury was already kind of "old". How long before you took Rocco in did he break his leg? What made the vet decide to let it try and heal on it's own?

 

[Essentia]

Do you have copies of the xray so we can see how bad this break is? With it broken in 3 places this isn't something that is going to heal on its own. The leg needs to be amputated, or at the very least surgery needs to be done and it needs to be pinned.

Chins do very well with amputations. This chin is probably in excruciating pain, and with these bones flailing around inside it isn't doing anything for the pain, or the healing. With an amputation the chin will be recovered in a matter of weeks instead of months/years.

 

[Stackie]

I am surprised a vet would leave 3 spot break and just "wait and see". I would amputate it now for the chin's sake. A break in 3 places is not going to heal back correctly and be just fine. Even if it does heal, your chin may not even be able to use the leg properly. Arthritis would most likely set in and become very painful for the chin for the rest of his life.

Amputation would give your chin a chance at a normal and pain free life.

 

[Mt. Zion Chins]

It is almost unbelieveable that a vet would 'wait and see' with a broken leg/foot. I don't mean I don't believe you - I find it hard to believe that a vet is that stupid. Please take your chin to another vet and insist on amputation. The poor chin has suffered way too much and needs relief now and I believe amputation is the only way now

 

[Essentia]

Any update?