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Tails from the ER

How to Help a Puppy Heal...Without Losing Your Mind!

7/15/2014

5 Comments

 
Picture
Moose broke his leg after playing too hard with a litter mate. He's on the mend now.
I did the easy part. I put a cast on "Moose's" hairline tibial fracture, dispensed him lots of good pain medications and kissed him on the head. I reminded his mom to bring him back next week to have his leg examined to be sure the cast doesn't need to be changed.  After all, he's going to grow A LOT and that cast could get too small. 


Finally, I gave his mom strict instructions to be sure he "rests' for 4-6 weeks while his fracture heals ("No running, jumping, playing or access to stairs" - said my discharge instructions). As I closed the door to the exam room, I thought, "How in the world is this lovely woman going to get a 13 week old Bernese Mountain Dog puppy to "rest" for a month and a half?!?

I've diagnosed plenty of orthopedic injuries in dogs from torn ligaments in knees to back problems from bulging discs to fractured bones. But I've never actually had to LIVE with a dog who is healing from this type of injury and requires exercise restriction or cage rest for long periods of time.

For pet parents who have had to keep their pet confined as they heal from an injury, what are YOUR tips for keeping them calm and comfortable for weeks on end, without losing your mind? 

Thanks for sharing your wisdom!

Please comment below.


5 Comments
Turn the tv to Nat Geo or Animal Planet, my dogs love it, even my puppy. link
7/15/2014 06:43:05 am

Lastly, massage the dog. It is incredibly relaxing for them. Massaging shold be done toward the heart. Ask your vet or a canine rehab spec. How to properly exercise the remaining un-injured limbs. They need motion too! All these ideas should be checked with your vet before you attempt them. Who am I? I have been raising Golden Retriever puppies with my Mom for the past 40 years. I have just now switched to Olde English Bulldogges. My poor husband is allergic! Happy Healing to Moose! :) CathyCornette@facebook.com

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HeathER Vet
7/15/2014 01:34:15 pm

Thanks for the tips, Cathy! I love rehab and massage as healing techniques. And what's not to love about Golden Retrievers and Old English Bulldogs! (Skin allergies, I suppose... but they are great dogs!)

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Megan
7/15/2014 01:35:05 pm

Put him in a playpen or keep him kenneled while he heals only let him out for potty breaks. That's what I had to do with my bullet for his back injury back in June the he was on the verge of rupturing his disk we had to put him on a steroid and keep his.movement limited so.we had to kennel him for 4-6 weeks

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Sharon
7/15/2014 01:36:41 pm

Lots of chews, lots of human company!

Reply
Courtney
7/16/2014 02:37:30 pm

Food toys work really well! My favorite is the bonbal by toys r us. My dogs actually eat all their meals from various food puzzles to slow them down and keep them busy while I study! (Vet school is tough on the pets too sometimes!) Challenges the pups to get to the kibble, cookies, peanut butter, etc.! Those and teaching new tricks are good ways to keep them mentally stimulated! Good luck!

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