I am new to the forum, but a long-time user of phpBB forums, so I hope this will be a rewarding relationship. I have been seeking advice on my options for my 10.5 yo Min Pin, who landed badly jumping from a chair, and fractured 3 metacarpals. We are at about 10 weeks post, and he still is splinted, perhaps due to an error on the part of the Vet's office, and a particular Vet (who is no longer there), having had x-rays at 6 weeks, and not at 9.5 weeks, when we were advised to see the Orthopedic I had been talking to, since the first week. He is in no pain, that we can discern, but I don't think he is putting much weight on his peds, due to the shape and bandaging of his splinting.
Here is the material I prepared in talking with some vendor resources, because I thought I should be ready to accept that Eddie will have a "bum foot", and may need a permanent splinting situation...we want to avoid surgery.
I hope this becomes a great resource, and I can become an active participant.Our 10 year old Min Pin fractured 3 metacarpals approx. 10 weeks ago, #'s 2-4, and has been splinted since that time. His x-rays at 6 weeks showed Proximal 2 and 3 had fused (?) with Distal 2, leaving Distal 3 seemingly unattached, and P and D 4 were less displaced.
We have been trying to avoid surgery, both for the cost and the trauma, and Eddie is perfectly content and pain-free with his splinted right leg, running on grass 15 - 20 mins. a day. If the malunions make it so that the paw will never be weight-bearing, is there a product you make that can help Eddie? Of note, his splint and paw are not articulated, but rather very straight, and I have not seen products that replicated that position.
Facebook exchange on HandicappedPets.com - this image is on the Facebook page, too...
Steve KellerHandicappedPets.com
August 16 at 11:45am ·
Will the Walkin' Bootie Splint be helpful in cases involving 3 metacarpal fractures? Our Min Pin, Eddie is 10.5 years old and the injury happened 10 weeks ago, and he has been splinted since then, redressed each week, for the first six and then again at 9.5. His foot looks pretty flat when wrapped with the straight splint, so I don't believe it is weight-bearing. Here is a pic, to give an idea of his current condition. Thanks, Steve
HandicappedPets.com Hello Steve,
The bootie splint will not be small enough for a dog Eddie's size. Looks like the best option would be the Walkin' Front Splint size XXS. We hope Eddie's recovery goes well! http://www.handicappedpets.com/walkin-front-splint...
Steve Keller Sorry for a repost, but this page seems a bit fickle. I appreciate the response and the recommendation, but I would really like your opinion on the weight-bearing issue, and the associated positioning of the paw. It seems the pic I posted is gone, to...See More
Like · Reply · August 17 at 11:46pm · Edited
HandicappedPets.com A special splint that will be non weight bearing,can be custom ordered from Animal Orthocare 703-474-6204. Ours will have the weight put on the paw and toes due to the design. That being said, we have had many dogs in our splints with broken toes/lower limbs. It would be completely up to your veterinarian on which way to go for Eddie.
Like · 23 hrs
Steve Keller Thank you for the thorough response! Best, Steve Keller
Like · 22 hrs
Write a reply...
HandicappedPets.com Hello Steve,
The bootie splint will not be small enough for a dog Eddie's size. Looks like the best option would be the Walkin' Front Splint size XXS. We hope Eddie's recovery goes well! http://www.handicappedpets.com/walkin-front-splint...
http://www.handicappedpets.com/walkin-f ... int#photos
The 2 videos of Ed's gait before and after are accessible here...
DSCF0055.AVI
https://app.box.com/s/63vtp1p9yt7ps79m0pqw55og1r31lqm4
DSCF0247.AVI
https://app.box.com/s/wzoicyk6tzmbxbigr0jxims82mvpu3i5
Best,
Steve Keller
Marketing-By-Web-Design.com
My herd has used the HP front and rear splints, and I LOVE them. They're washable and durable. We've also done custom splints due to contractures, which were necessary but can take some trial and error, and they weren't as well-made as the HP ones. For the nothing it's worth, I wouldn't think your baby would be in a splint forever, although it might be long-term.