How Long To "rest" A Broken Hock

[RobinM]

Ollie had a career ending right hock break late August. As of late Nov x-rays, it was still fusing.

 

Vet said NO off leash for at least 6 months. I am curious if she was thinking 6 months from the time they saw the x-rays or 6 months from the break.

 

I will ask her but I was wondering what others who have had dogs with broken hocks have done.

 

I will do what is best for Ollie, of course.

[Guest PhillyPups]

I tend to err on the side of caution, I would do 6 months from the vet visit.

[Guest mountain4greys]

I tend to err on the side of caution, I would do 6 months from the vet visit.

 

That was my first thought also.

[scullysmum]

My bridge boy Scully's recovery was much shorter, if I remember rightly about 8 weeks...but he did only break the inner maleolus and dislocate the hock, so maybe not such a bad break, he was also only 2 years old

[RobinM]

My bridge boy Scully's recovery was much shorter, if I remember rightly about 8 weeks...but he did only break the inner maleolus and dislocate the hock, so maybe not such a bad break, he was also only 2 years old

 

 

Ollie was just shy of 3 when he broke his hock too. He turned 3 in mid September.

[Tallgreydogmom]

I would say 6 months also. I have two limping around from broken hocks years ago. They were brood mama's when their racing days were over. I've had them both up to OSU for consults. The bones are fused at this point so we carry on with half a Rimadyl twice a day.

 

They both are loves, the hocks do not bother them as much as it does me. They are much better in warm weather than this cold weather.

 

Hugs to Ollie and your furbabies

[Guest MZH]

An orthopedic specialist told a friend to rest her girl for 12 months after he saw her, not after the break. It was a bad break but he was right; it healed fine. She had to leash walk her even though there was a fenced-in yard. Best to rest as long as possible, or as long as the doc says.

[greysmom]

Interesting responses. Toni had almost the same thing along the same time frame. She was out of her cast by October, so about 8 weeks post-break, and back at the farm for adoption soon after. When she came into the adoption program no one said anything about her hock, even the doctors that saw her initially, despite the fact her rear leg is considerably bowed and obviously didn't heal straight.

 

She was running around on it with no restrictions in January. She did have some pain when she had to stand for long periods, but that has gone away completely. I do have some Rimadyl for her if she over-uses it. She hasn't needed any in several months.