Growth Plate Fracture

[luvmypups2]

Hi there,

I am new to this board. I am a mommy to Buster, 1 year old and we recently just got a puppy from the humane society last Saturday. We noticed that night that his right leg was a little shaky. He still runs around on hit, plays with Buster, runs up the stairs...and so forth. He is a bundle of energy, being only 8 weeks old.

We took him to our vet, who told us he may have a growth plate fracture, she recommended another vet, who sealed the deal and told us, that it is in fact a growth plate fracture. We are concered, because this she wants to see him every two weeks to check his leg. I'm all about having him heal, but I'm really not understanding this type of injury. Can someone explain more to me. She says it's just a small fracture and could heal, but it also may need surgery. I can't even imagine the cost. :( But....we took him and we're not giving him back. He's part of our family.

Please respond with any information that you have. I would appreciate it sooo much!

Thank you!

(his leg is slightly crooked right now...i imagine this will be permanent)

[nlisac]

What a sweet puppy! I'm so sorry to hear about his leg. I can imagine you're worried about vet bills, my dog is healthy but I always worry about something happening cause I will not be able to afford any kind of surgury. Getting her fixed put us way in the hole. Anyways, is it the kind of thing that is causing her pain? Will it keep getting worse? Stunt her growth? Cause if it won't affect any of those things is surgury 100% necessary? Something to look into maybe. Sorry I don't have any knowledge on the fracture itself. Hope it goes ok and that she won't need any surgury at all.

[luvmypups2]

Well, he doesn't seem to be in any pain at all. I mean, he favors it a little, but a very small amount. He wrestles with my other dog, never yelps or anything. The vet said, the leg may not grow properly, may be shorter then the other legs....it's up in the air. :(

I'm going to continue to take him the vet though. Just have to find a way for them to work with me on payments. I've spoke with some people that say it's a HUGE deal and others who say, it's not that big of a deal, he may just be a little gimpy his whole life.

[PatchO'Pits]

Where exactly in the growth plate, is the leg casted? Did they tell you it was Ok to let the dog play??? Was the second opinion from an orthopedic vet?

[luvmypups2]

No, his leg is not in a cast. I was telling my husband to contact the vet tomorrow and talk to her about some sort of cast to put on his leg to limit the movement. She told us to limit his exercise, but it's hard, he's a puppy and we have another dog in the house that likes to play. We've tried to keep playing to a minimum and make him lay on the couch and not go up the stairs, and so forth. But there are times, when all he wants to do is go, go, go!!