front leg disabled at mid elbow joint;

[mbrig51]

i have a maltese that i rescued about 7 months now. she is about 7 yrs old so she knows no other way.lshe has a deformed right front leg from birth, a birth defect. it didn't get fixed at birth and the bone seems not connected to the mid joint so it essentially just hangs like it is broken and she instead hops on her other front left leg and back legs. i was thinking of some attachment to the top of the leg that would come down like a spring or something like that. a harness connected to the other top leg, shouldar to support the one for the deformed leg.
one vet said the leg would never be able to be repaired at this stage and is shorter than other leg as is one of her hind legs. any suggestions. i am in new york area.

[GabrielDeafBlindPupFamily]

AmbrrNanaDog was in a toenail to neck cast (wrapped around her neck ((requiring constant monitoring by me as I was nervous to death the cotton wrap underneath the cast which acted as padding and which was constantly wound round) would strangle her)), around shoulder and down leg) It was a torture of sorts, but short term.
Your pup should get a 2nd opinion about leg. If it cannot be fixed, no point putting that beautiful little lady in a brace - a stiff, hinged brace would do no good, as she has no 'connection' between top and bottom of leg.
I am thinking others will say amputation, and before you faint, please know this gives a quality of life to so many critters (sorry critters...) and she can live a full healthy, happy, active life. She's small, so it would be even easier, than say a 100 # dog...
Is there a bone specialist around you that you could get a 2nd opinion from?
She is just beautiful... Simply beautiful...
What is her name?

[critters]

What a cutie!!! Hmm. If repair isn't possible (and I agree about the 2nd opinion), I'd think a custom splint might help, but I'd also think it might be a lifetime thing. As you've heard, tripods usually do VERY well, so I wouldn't discount the option. Look down in the tripod forum for more info.

[mbrig51]

hi thanks for your response
jelly is her name and she is about 7 yrs old so she has been this way a long time. i have had her about 7 months. she doesn't seem to mind it and she is light enough to get around. she takes her time when we walk. she manages to jump into the car seat and can go up stairs. i carry her in her bag much of the time. so many people have stopped me to ask what is wrong. can you fix it, etc. so i began to think maybe there is some way. my vet wouldn't consider the amputation, thought it would be a lot for her to endure. so that is the story. i was thinking some creative and inventive apparatus that would be like a harness and she could put her leg into a fitting that would support the leg with a spring operation.
i could talk to another vet down the road.
thanks,
maura and jelly

[Cindidoxiemom]

Maura,
Let us know what you find out. Perhaps you will find a new way of treating this. If you find an answer for Jelly, come back here and let us know. She is a beauty!
Hugs,
Cindi