Broken Bone - What to do??

[John Wang]

Boomer was at the dog park today playing with another dog when a 50+ pound lab T-boned him by mistake (chasing a tennis ball), fully fracturing his front right radial. "Luckily" it's not near a growth plate, the fracture is clean and we were able to get him to the vet before they closed. (Props to my fiance who sprinted a mile+ uphill to get her car while I carried him to the main road..)

Right now we're faced with three options- splint, pins or a plate. Tomorrow we meet with an orthopedic surgeon to discuss the options, and I wanted to get some insight from anyone who's experienced this.

We're with PetPlan on their $100 deductible, 100% coverage plan. I'm a little worried because I signed up with them February 28th, however they only just sent me paperwork (I had to call and request them to send it today because I realized I hadn't gotten any confirmation) and the welcome packet has additional paperwork I was supposed to send in to them to finalize everything.. so I'm concerned this accident won't be covered. But the policy on my account online still shows that it was initiated in February, so here's hoping. His visit to the vet ran us $800. Can't call them because they're closed.

So yes, any help would be appreciated. Boomer's trooping it, though he peed himself (and on me) while I carried him to the car. He isn't whining anymore, ate a little and we're keeping him crated to prevent too much movement until we can get our consultation.

UPDATE: PetPlan will cover 80% of his surgery, minus our $100 co-pay. I didn't read their stuff clearly. Still, better than not having insurance at all.

Boomer's sedated and scheduled for a consultation & surgery on Thursday, we'll pick him up Friday morning and start his rehab..

Attached a picture of him at the vet. Can't believe how big he's gotten!

UPDATE 2:

Yesterday we took him to the specialist. He checked out his x-rays and decided that a plate or pin would not be necessary since the fracture was less than 50% displaced, and his ulna was intact. He realigned it a little more (apparently if it's less than 50% displaced, they usually won't try to set the bone.. I find this unsettling) and put Boomer in a padded splint and a Cone of Shame. Total cost out the door was just over $350.

We will need to have his bandage changed every week for six weeks, with an X-Ray at 3 and 6 weeks to see how it's doing. Minimum heal time is 3-6 weeks before we can take off the splint.

Almost a happy ending- the doctor said that if his growth plate was damaged (no way to tell except for physical inspection during his splint maintenance in 3-4 weeks) his bone in the leg will stop growing, meaning he will have a limp for the rest of his life as the rest of his legs grow to their full size :| Fingers crossed that they weren't damaged... ugh. Because his other bone was NOT damaged, it means his leg may actually grow SIDEWAYS as one bone stops its growth and the other one continues. ughhh

UPDATE 3 (5/6/14)

This update is just for people whose dogs might have broken a bone. April 30th marks the end of Boomer's cast needs, we had X-Rays taken at the Vet on the 28th, and on the 30th we visited the specialist who confirmed Boomer's leg is "fully" healed (no longer requires the cast). His legs seem to be doing fine, he limps while he walks but in the last six days, his limp has been going down to where he can almost walk normally. He gets tired easily on our test walks, but is thrilled to be able to go outside now. Just yesterday we tested the stairs and he still has no difficulties going up or down! Ironically, the accident was April 1st ~4pm, and his cast was removed April 30th ~4pm. Exactly one month on the dot.

COSTS: I am estimating the total cost was about $2,060 including the emergency visit, visit to the specialist, x-rays, medication, anti-biotics, bandages, anesthesia, etc.

Our total out of pocket cost thanks to Pet Plan (we've received 2 checks so far!) will be approximately $172. $100 deductible, and 20% co-pay fee of visiting the specialist for his initial re-setting and cast.

Our plan is the gold plan from Pet Plan, it costs us about $42/mo, 100% coverage, $100 deductible. Extremely thankful we took this one, his cost of care is equivalent to almost FOUR years of insurance. Keep that in mind!

Final update will come when Boomer no longer limps, and will confirm whether or not Pet Plan has paid forth all our claims.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Do you have a baby stroller?  A wagon?  If you see one at a yard sale or where ever, pick one up now 

[John Wang]

We're seriously considering some type of wagon. Problem is he gets so excited when he sees other people and dogs that he'd probably leap off. Maybe stick his crate on top of it like a rolling prison :P

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

So sorry about this accident and hopefully Boomer will be fixed up real soon.  Sending paw hugs and and good thoughts for a speedy recovery.  Poor baby.  So fortunate you able to get him to the Vet so quickly.

[Robin and Libby Louise]

Wow, scary!  No great advice here, just sending wishes for a full and speedy recovery!

[Pat and Traveler]

Poor Boomer--and poor you, to have such an ending to a beautiful day!  Hope the insurance is in effect, and Boomer has an easy recovery.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Poor Boomer! Thinking of you guys and wishing a speeding recovery for him!

[Pam Thomas]

I am afraid I would have been yelling call 911. I almost did when my cocker spaniel was dying. I would have been in jail. I have hear good things about orthopedic treatment on dogs now. Have progressed a lot. Good luck and healing thoughts to your Boomer.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Poor buddy! No advice, but I do have KUDOS!  Kudos to you for buying pet insurance. PERFECT example of a fluke accident that could have cost you thousands out of pocket :)

[Christy&Riley]

Sorry to hear the news! I'm not familiar with insurance but I can definitely sympathize with a broken leg. We only had Riley a week before she got a fractured back leg. Here's the background....

Riley wouldn't settle down one night so my husband thought a walk on a leash would tire her out. At 12:30am he wakes me up to tell me that he broke her leg. The streetlight went out as he was ducking under a tree overhanging the sidewalk. Riley darted in front of him and he didn't see her so he stepped on her leg. Every time she tried to get out of the way he stepped on her. Three times in total. He felt absolutely horrible!

So anyways, Riley fell asleep while we were trying to figure out what to do and no bones were sticking out so we figured we could wait until morning. She was so good at the vet they didn't even need to sedate her to take an x-ray. Thankfully, no surgery was required but they rigged a splint that she wore for 3 weeks.

Every time during those three weeks we took her outside we had to tie a plastic bag over the splint to keep it dry. (And because she was a puppy we were going outside constantly.) She also wanted to bite the bag as we were trying to tie it so that made it even more challenging. She adapted quickly in getting around with the splint so that was a big bonus. Another challenge was that the end of the splint was pointed so it would rip through the bag once she started hauling around outside. Eventually we took extra rubber liner for a cabinet shelf and taped it on the bottom of the splint so it wouldn't break through. We also started using pony tail rubber bands to hold up the bag instead of trying to tie it as it was faster. I also tried using trash bags with "handles" so there was something more for tying.

 

With all that said...(sorry)...my biggest recommendation would be to invest in a waterproof boot that just slips on and off over the cast or splint. I found some online but it was too late. I've even heard of people making their own out of rubber coats, etc. It appears the dogs adapt easily to the situation. For us it was just the plastic bag that became our nightmare. 

Hope Boomer feels better really soon!

 

Below is a picture of Riley with her splint. :-)

 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Glad you have coverage. I think I would take the surgeon's advice as to the best way to repair the break.  Boomer has a long, long life ahead of him and needs the best repair possible.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Poor baby, what a sweet puppy. I am sure he will get better following surgery very quickly. Great to hear about your insurance which is good news. I am very very thankful of it since Boris had his surgery as the bills have been paid direct and I just keep getting letters in the post showing what has been settled. Hopefully in your case it wil also be paid direct to the vet hospital too.

[Christy&Riley]

Oh, what a cutie pie!