Help!

[Alan Garou]

Everybody, I desperately need help. My large Australian Shepherd, Django, has broken his foot. He can barely walk, and he can't put any weight on it. My parents are worried they might have to put him down. This is not an option! Please, what do I do?

[Ryudo Lee]

Take him to the vet.  They can set the bone, put a cast on it, and put him in a walker.

[superluser]

Everybody, I desperately need help. My large Australian Shepherd, Django, has broken his foot. He can barely walk, and he can't put any weight on it. My parents are worried they might have to put him down. This is not an option! Please, what do I do?

I'm sorry to hear that.  It sounds like you're having a really hard time with this. Here, have a hug. 

The first thing that you have to understand is that Australian Shepherds usually have leg problems.  I think it's typically hip trouble, but I suppose it might cause foot trouble, as well.  Anyone getting an Australian Shepherd should plan for this.  Border Collies have similar trouble.

But that's not what you came here to ask.

I'm sure you can take him to a veterinary hospital, and they can fix it, but it sounds like your parents don't want to pay for it.

Other than that, I'm not really sure.  My brother's wife is a vet, so I could call her up, if you like.  How is the foot broken?  Is it bleeding?  Do you know which bones have been broken?

Above all else, just try to keep your dog comfortable.  Dogs can get easily spooked by this sort of thing, and he may just really enjoy your company and sympathy.

[llearch n'n'daCorna]

You're kidding, right?

You're asking the forum what to do?


It's a no-brainer, I would have thought. Take him to a certified professional, and ask them. Sheesh. I mean, I know we have some of everything here, but specialist veterinary advice? Please.

I'm not trying to scream "idiot" here, I'm just saying - surely we're not your first port of call for problems?

[Blazehawk]

After proper vet care, maybe he can adapt...I had a dog when I was little that broke her leg twice and kept on going until she died of old age.  Here's hoping something works out for you.  lots

[rabid_fox]

Remember folks, some families can't afford big vertinary bills.

Ideally, you'd have him along to the vet ASAP and everything would work out spangly. Alternatively, if it's a particularly bad break that's been left for a few days, you might be looking at amputation because of damage to the tissue being irreversable - no biggie, dogs adjust quickly to that. Nightmare situation is not being able to afford the treatment. I really, really hope that doesn't come to it (though if it does, you've got at least a computer to sell, so it won't).

[llearch n'n'daCorna]

It's noted, however, the first thing you do is go to the vet and ask "how much"

The original poster didn't say anything about "we can't afford" - just "we might be going to put him down". On that basis, while being aware that some people can't afford big bills, I presumed that money wasn't the problem there.


Admittedly, it seems a bit silly to me to avoid the vet as, at least, a first call to find out if you -can- afford it... And I wouldn't expect a set limb and plaster to cost too much. After all, I've had two of -my- limbs set, and nobody offered to put -me- down because of it... :-]

[Kenji]

Sheesh. I mean, I know we have some of everything here, but specialist veterinary advice? Please.

If my friend still had time to come here, we would.

Anyways, yeah, anything pet related is always best solved by a veteran. I mean veterinarian.

[Alan Garou]

Well, it seems like the worst is over. It doesn't seem to be that serious, and he's at the vet's office right now. He has his blanket and favorite stuffed animal, and my parents and cat visited him while I was at school. He's probably only going to need a cast or minor surgery, the latter of which would cost between one and two thousand dollars. He's very happy, and he'll be home soon.
And for those of you asking exactly how he was injured, he was running around with another dog at the park and twisted his ankle a weird way. There's no swelling, bleeding, or discoloration, he just can't put any weight on it.

You're kidding, right?

You're asking the forum what to do?


It's a no-brainer, I would have thought. Take him to a certified professional, and ask them. Sheesh. I mean, I know we have some of everything here, but specialist veterinary advice? Please.

I'm not trying to scream "idiot" here, I'm just saying - surely we're not your first port of call for problems?

I am very disappointed in you, llearch. When I had posted, my parents had already made the appointment with the vet, who was having quite a busy day. I posted this topic because I was worried after having a talk about it with my father, and I was hoping for advice on treatment and general emotional support. I am not an idiot, and I am surprised that you thought that little of me.

[rabid_fox]

Ah, good. Resolution.

[llearch n'n'daCorna]

I am very disappointed in you, llearch. When I had posted, my parents had already made the appointment with the vet, who was having quite a busy day. I posted this topic because I was worried after having a talk about it with my father, and I was hoping for advice on treatment and general emotional support. I am not an idiot, and I am surprised that you thought that little of me.

Ah. From your post, it was "I haven't done anything, the dog is just running around hurt, can you guys help" type query - which is a totally different response to "we've already arranged a vet, but until he gets time to see the dog, do you guys have any suggestions?", wouldn't you say?

I mean, I'll admit I was surprised to get a thread that was, to all intents and purposes, the former request. Perhaps that was why my post was... less than optimal in tone.


I -did- state: "Surely we're not your first port of call for this?" and it turns out, we're not. Which is fine. I just had visions of "Hi, my house is on fire. Does anyone know what I should do?" type posts... :-/ Obviously I've spent too much time dealing with people who don't bother to think. :-(


Chalk it up to miscommunication on my part, and part friends?

[superluser]

"Hi, my house is on fire. Does anyone know what I should do?"

Hey, that was *one* time, it was cold out, and I didn't ask for advice.

[Alan Garou]

Chalk it up to miscommunication on my part, and part friends?

Okay, and I'm sorry for being so confusing.
WONDERFUL NEWS: The vet checked it out, and Django's on his way home. It ends up it's just a sprained ankle. He sends howls and licks to all of you.

[llearch n'n'daCorna]

Hey, that was *one* time, it was cold out, and I didn't ask for advice.

Oh, come on. It wasn't -that- cold...

WONDERFUL NEWS: The vet checked it out, and Django's on his way home. It ends up it's just a sprained ankle. He sends howls and licks to all of you.

*slurp* :-]

[superluser]

Oh, come on. It wasn't -that- cold...

It was 15 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 Celsius), and I was in my nightclothes!

[llearch n'n'daCorna]

You wuss. Harden up. :-P


*snicker*