Hi All!

Wow what a great community! I was wondering if there's anyone out there who has been through what we're going through right now? Here's our story:

My name is Mary & I have an almost 3 year old chihuahua, although I believe he is mixed with min-pin (& as I understand it, min-pins are a mix of Italian greyhounds and dachshunds, which explains a lot). When most people see my dog, they describe him as a tiny deer. He weighs about 4 lbs but his legs are long and skinny (I'd estimate around 7 or 8 inches long). In October of 2009 Siga jumped out of my lap and broke both bones in his front right leg, there was no question that the bones were completely broken apart. Siga needed surgery & the vet put 6 pins connected to an external apparatus into his tiny leg. He was completely "repaired" by the first week of December. On January 10, 2010, someone was sitting on the floor holding him when he jumped out of their arms & he broke his leg again in the same place as before, yet this time the damage was not as severe. Due to my fears of putting him under the knife yet again (& unfortuantely an attempt to keep costs lower than before) with the approval of his vet we decided to try and use a splint to heal his bones. Yesterday (about 1 month after the second break) Siga had x-rays done again. His bones are actually not growing back together and the ulna is depleating. I've asked the vet if Siga has bone density issues & she said "no, he has healthy bones, he just has small bones." Also, whenever I ask her how likely it is that Siga will break his leg again she says there is no garantee, which is understandable but I feel that she is basically saying " this will happen again & at any point." If Siga has the surgery again, they may have to do a bone graft to build up the ulna again, but I've heard that bone grafts are an extremely painful recovery for humans, is the same true for dogs?

Siga absolutely loves to run, and he's fast! Am I being unreasonable to consider amputating his leg? I've read over and over that dogs who've lost a limb can do just as much as other dogs who have not lost a limb. However, my dog has not experienced the catostrophic or terminal damage of a bad accident or cancer. Please give me some honest & thoughtful advice!

Wow Mary! What an ordeal poor Siga has had to go through already!

I'm really not sure what to tell you… except to get advice from an orthopedic surgeon, if you haven't already. Siga is so young and doesn't have cancer to worry about… I would probably worry about amputating his leg, with the remaining one already having had a break… If you're thinking about vet costs… well amputation will probably cost alot, so you might as well put those funds towards fixing the latest break. That's just my opinion…

I don't envy you for the decision you have to make. Keep us posted and good luck with whatever you decide to do!!

Angel Jake's Mom

Just so everyone knows what is going on, here is some info:

Abstract
Ununited fractures can be divided into: (1) those in which there is still some attempt at repair of bone—delayed union; and (2) those which are in a fixed state of physiologic inertia—nonunion. The etiologic factors are local and not systemic. In cases of delayed union conservative measures may succeed in stimulating metabolism of bone at the site of fracture, but not in cases of nonunion. Operative measures, preferably the use of an autogenous bone graft, are necessary in the latter cases. Operation should not be undertaken in the face of draining sinuses or of evidence of inflammation. The bone graft should be as large as possible and must be held firmly clamped to the fragments. Multiple chips of bone packed about the site of fracture are of great aid. Fractures of the neck of the femur can be dealt with successfully without arthrotomy in cases in which fibrous union has occurred. The method consists in overcoming the shortening with traction, securing anatomic alignment, and inserting a large piece of autogenous bone, such as a fibular segment of such length that it extends from the trochanter well into the head. This procedure could be called “blind” insertion. It probably is not suitable in cases in which no fibrous union is present; then open operation is preferable. Fractures of the lower end of the humerus are the most difficult of all humeral fractures to deal with and are best treated by the “onlay massive” graft.

I would say, based on this amputation is a good alternative. But, I would make sure I did my best to try and build him up nutritionally so that this HOPEFULLY doesn't happend again, to his other leg.
Hugs!~

Ok Everyone, I wanted to give you an update. Yesterday Siga had his surgery, and I still was anguishing over my decision. However, after I talked to the surgeon, he told me that it was good to have the limb removed because it was getting worse, and reiterated that it was not healing at all. I physically felt the relief from that!

I was afraid that when I saw him I would not be able to keep my composure, and I wanted to be courageous for him. However all the people at the animal hospital were telling me how happy he was this morning and what a love he'd been. When I saw him I was not sad or scared.

Anyway, on to the real important stuff: Siga! He's doing great! A little groggy from all the drugs but he wants to walk around (he is suppose to be confined for 14 days). I took a video and sent it to my friend who showed it to his friends, one didn't even notice that Siga is now a tripawd, that's how natural he is! He's having a little trouble getting his balance, especially when he's trying to get comfortable.

I cannot say enough how thankful I am for all of your support, confidence and advice! No regrets! I guess it's time for Siga to start a blog and talk about his new crazy adventures!