Update on chest hole and walking question

Hallie

Hallie is walking, running, and even trying to jump. Her hole is completely healed and everything but we are having a little trouble with one of her legs. Her legs were entirely intact (the sockets too) but on the one side of her pelvis that suffered the worst break she's not using that leg. For anyone who doesn't know 6 weeks ago Hallie got hit by a car and she suffered 3 pelvis fractures and a really nasty chest injury and we also just found out she also had a broke rib! The 3 fractures were on each side and one in the middle of her pelvis..it's been 6 weeks and I can touch her back side, legs, chest, basically everywhere without her being in pain. Will she always have the limp she has now? It's a very slight limp and it's caused from her not wanting to put down that one leg. She's lost a significant amount of muscle mass on the the leg she's not using and because it's so weak she has stability problems on floors other than pavement or carpet. She's got a pretty good scar from the hole and it's flaky and discolored but the vet said that's normal. The vet is just dismissing the limp but I'm wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience with their dog.. Will she start to use that leg? and is her limping due to her being in pain or simply not being able to use the leg?



Here's a shot of her legs, see how much bigger one is?

BooLette

I don't know how I missed this since I am an avid DF lurker.

It's good to see that she healed up so nicely and quickly! From my experience with hip fractures it all depends. It is still really early too, so she might heal up just fine. I know this isn't a dog, but my father fractured his hip and eventhough it healed alright he still to this day has a limp, and it pains him terribly on rainy days.

I hope she does heal up without the limp. She is such a gorgeous gem! I just love her eyes. They are so soulful. Good luck!

FaithFurMom09

My parents chihuahua got ran over by a car and his leg bothered him the rest of his life.

Hallie

Thanks! The limp doesn't bother me but I really don't want her to be in pain for the rest of her life! She is fine with me poking and squeezing her leg and hip, she doesn't even flinch!

kamsmom

I don't know about the limp but I do have a greyhound that broke her leg. She was casted for about 8 weeks and could only be leash walked even to go to the bathroom. It was about the 10th week that I started letting her play with the other dogs but it wasn't until about 4 months later that I let her run. During all that time she lost alot of muscle mass.
I have kept her exercising for the last 6 months and she is just now starting to get some of her muscle mass back. Good luck to you!

chriley58

Is there somewhere you could take her to swim? Even have her walk around in a bathtub to strengthen her leg. It will take time to build lost muscle mass back up. I haven't had a dog go through this, but I have a daughter with hip dysplasia. She has had three major hip/pelvic surgeries followed by casting. It took months for her muscles to function properly after coming out of the cast. Hydrotherapy is a terrific way to build muscle without a lot of pain.
It also may take her a while to want to weight bear on that leg. She also may have scar tissue that is pulling and making her hesitant to weight bear. She may always have a slight limp but for the most part, based on my daughter, the pain is minimal. Rainy, cold days are the worst!
BTW, Hallie is just the sweetest looking little girl. There have been several beagles in my family but none as pretty as Hallie.

MoosMom

she is looking great! I would imagine as time continues to pass she will get stronger and that leg wont bother her so much. I would say if it gets worse or you just don't feel like there is an improvement the vet should take another peek and may even be able to give you some physical therapy exercises to help.

Agilityfiend

My boy was hit by a car a few years ago and had his right femural head removed. I do competitive sports with him and was worried about how well he would hold up afterwards.
It has been roughly four years or so and he still does not have the same muscle mass that he used to, but he gets around perfectly and still actively competes in agility. He is 7 now.
We did alot of therapy in the water. That is your best bet to build some of the muscle back up. In the tub, like someone else said, but make sure you have a slip proof mat on the bottom. I don't know if you have access to a beach at all, and it's a bit cold now, but the best advice I got was to take him down and walk figure 8's in the water by the shore. The combination of the sand and the water does wonders for the muscles and normal use of the leg.
Hope that helps, good luck with her.

Hallie

Thank you!

I may look into water therapy if I can find an indoor pool that would allow me to work with Hallie, or if the vet knows of any places. It's freezing here so I don't think much outside work is possible as far as water goes, she is doing great with walking though. When she runs she really goes down hill fast. Thank you so much! I could care less about a limp it's if she's in pain that concerns me, no one wants their little girl in pain!

Thank you! I've spoke the vet and he's suprised she's already able to run. Most dogs hit by two cars don't even make it this far. The way the vet sounds she's right on track so maybe I'm expecting too much?

That is very encouraging as I was going to compete with her as well. It has only been 6 weeks so maybe I just haven't waited long enough. I may try the bathtub thing, I think it could help her. I was really worried about how her endurance would be effected later on, she was an extremely active dog before and of course now she's limited. Hopefully with time she'll improve. Thanks!