Guest NHgreys Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Red broke one of her back legs during her last race at the beginning of 2006. GPA had it repaired shortly thereafter. We noticed this morning that you can feel something like a pin under the skin starting to poke out from the bone. If the hardware is migrating somehow, would she need surgery to repair it? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rh8234 Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Can't give you a definitive answer, but I'd get Red to a vet ASAP for evaluation. If the hardware is indeed loose, I would be concerned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 I, too, would get Red to the vet soon. If that moves, it could cut a ligament, etc. More than likely, it would require surgical repair. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 They can migrate--most likely not a big deal to remove--but, yea, gotta come out now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MyBoys Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 (edited) One of my boys had a broken hock that was repaired with pins, a pin worked it way through the skin so it had to be removed. It was not a big issue but I felt better knowing he was not in any kind of pain from the pin moving. Edited November 18, 2009 by MyBoys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Get to a specialist, asap. If it's been awhile, the hardware can be removed. Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NHgreys Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 We have an appointment with our vet on Friday - can't get in any sooner due to work. Not sure if we have any specialists in the area - the vet that works with GPA's broken leg pups is down in Mass, about 1.5 hours from here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LynnM Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 (edited) Any general surgeon with a basic grasp of orthopedics can remove the hardware (as long as they the right tools... available on Ebay or Home Depot if you're improvising). Yes, the screws will break over time. If it doesn't bother the dog, then it's not an urgent issue. You can have it removed when he's under for some other elective surgery (like a dental). Ask the vet for the plate and any good screws if your adoption group still handles broken leg dogs. They can be re-used! Lynn Edited November 21, 2009 by LynnM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyKarma Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 My first Grey had the hock screw back out a few years after her repair. Very easy surgical procedure to remove the screw. We actually autoclaved a set of bits so we would have the right one for the head of the screw. It healed over fine. Quote CAROL & Molleigh (Queen Molly)My Angel Girl (Slippy's Molly) ~ Thank you for sending me your namesake ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sja5032 Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 We have an appointment with our vet on Friday - can't get in any sooner due to work. Not sure if we have any specialists in the area - the vet that works with GPA's broken leg pups is down in Mass, about 1.5 hours from here. Dr. Dunn by any chance?? Meaning the vet who does GPA's. He is wonderful and if you vet cant give good answers definitely worth the trip. He may also be willing to look at xrays if they are sent to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NHgreys Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 x-ray's last week show wires that are attached to the pin working their way up to the skin. the vet is worried about the skin breaking open (if she were to hit it up against something) and then there would be a big risk for infection. the vet called down to VCA in Northboro, Mass but they couldn't find Red's records so they need to do some digging. they might be able to just go under the skin and snip the wires. we'll see....we're still waiting to here back - broken tail with our other girl this morning so we've been preoccupied! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LadyChester Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 Take Red back to see Dr. Dudley at VCA Northboro! She is outstanding and if she did the original work, it is best for her to do the follow-up. 1.5 hours away or not, get Red to Dr. Dudley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diane4114 Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 Take Red back to see Dr. Dudley at VCA Northboro! She is outstanding and if she did the original work, it is best for her to do the follow-up. 1.5 hours away or not, get Red to Dr. Dudley. Dr. Dudley is the vet this group uses for their broken leg GH's. Quote Willow( Hi Tech Popandgo ) CGC #31965 Calico Salad x MayPop 8-9-93/9-24-07 Austin( Nodak Austin ) #55202 Chrisse's Twelve x Lotsa Liz 2-25-96/2-15-05 Matt( Kelsos Metaphor ) #90695 Oswald Cobblepot x Kelso's Movita 8-10-00/2-28-14 Buddy (Aljo Class Act) #78137 Action By Design x Miss Classy 12-8-98/8-29-09 Sonny (Onaim Excalibur)#97927 Flying Train x Rough Diamond 9-7-01/1-9-2016Hunter (SS Snow Roll) #35135 Craigie Whistler x Lightning Snow 10-4-2005/9-23-17 Leo (Yolo Empleo)#72060 4-13-18 Fiesta Paraguas x Mega Bien Hecho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 Ouch! Well, my non-Greyhound had a surgical procedure which involved cutting his tibia and rotating his joint, then screwing and plating it back together. Not only did he get a bone infection from it, one of the screws snapped off. I suppose, had he not been very, very ill from the infection, it might have been a "simple procedure," but the second surgery to remove the hardware and drain the joint of infection cost as much as the first surgery. Then there were $750 worth of antibiotics...it was a true nightmare. Your situation doesn't sound as dire. I'd want a board certified orthopedic surgeon to work on my dog, however. There are plenty of them in New England. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NHgreys Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 Our vet spoke with Dr. Dudley and they do not feel it is all that urgent to do anything right this moment, considering it will require anesthesia. We are to keep a very close eye on the area to make sure the skin doesn't begin to ulcerate from the inside-out. And we are to vet-wrap it during any activity that could potentially injure that area - which for us would be hiking (not happening any time soon). Our vet offered to do it, but we'll likely go through either VCA/Dr. Dudley or our e-vet CAVES (they have done emergency and ortho surgeries for our local GPA). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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