We have a broken leg... - Page 8

**dobermansrule** · 07-03-2008, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by errica

Apollo is home and doing well. He's not thrilled about being unable to do anything, but so far he's being a good sport. He has 2 weeks of strict crate rest with only potty breaks. The surgeon will recheck him then and see how it's healing.

So far it's been $2500. There will be a few follow up appointments and another surgery in a few weeks to take the pins out, so probably another $1000.

That bottle is LONG gone!

Athena is quite upset, she went over to the empty crate this morning looking for him. It was heart-wrenching. She hasn't seen him yet, I figure if he wants to nap now I'll let him and then I will let her see him tonight. (with him in the crate, through the door!)

This is the advice that I am having the hardest time with, for a few reasons. First, my vet told me two weeks ago that as long as they played well together, nothing too aggressive, etc. that they are fine alone together. Then I asked the surgeon if I needed to keep them separated or crated when I'm not around from now on (obviously AFTER he is completely healed-for now I KNOW Apollo has to be kept quiet and still) and the surgeon laughed and said that there is no reason not to leave them alone together. He said that it is ridiculous to keep them separated, as they are pack animals, and cruel to leave them crated while I work.

I have had dogs in the past, friends and family have dogs and I have never heard of anyone crating their dogs every time they aren't home, or keeping dogs separated from each other. Is this something that is unique to Dobermans for some reason? The biggest reason we got Apollo was so that Athena had someone to hang out with.

as you see, dobies are very boisterous players. Take our boy Quincy - he is 21 months and smallish at 74 lbs now. He loves to run at me and body slam me and if I am not braced I am on my back looking at tongue and nostrils. And he'll jump behind me and can jump so high he nibbles my ear on the way up/down. Point being, they are high energy and find ways to release that energy and it isn't always the way we would like.

dobegal · 07-03-2008, 06:57 PM

Good positive thoughts are sent your way.

zeus and me · 07-03-2008, 06:59 PM

glad apollo is on the mend!!!

Brodysmom · 07-03-2008, 07:21 PM

Poor baby !
Get well soon !
And I would have had the surgery too. I had to cast a leg of one of my dogs before had to go to the vet 3 times in a week , 1st, it was chewed off, then, after the swelling went down it fell off, the 3rd time it was on too tight cut off her circulation..ugh..

Scoob · 07-03-2008, 07:45 PM

Wish Apollo a good, safe and successful recovery!

Scoob

**BlackandTans** · 07-03-2008, 07:55 PM

Soo sorry to hear that!! I hope that everything goes well for you....

dragonflyz · 07-03-2008, 08:11 PM

I am so sorry to hear about your puppy. He looks sooooo Sad in those pictures. I had a similar thing happen to my kitty, no one knows how or what happened to her. She has a tension wire and screws put on her broken leg and she healed well. Good luck and we wish him a fast recovery.

**dragonman** · 07-03-2008, 09:12 PM

Crates are not cruelty. As for leaving them alone together it really depends on the dogs. Puppies should not be left unattended with a full sized dog. Also, puppies are explorers and can get into anything, especially eating things they shouldn't.

Mariah and Drago are great together. Drago has been wonderful with her but when she was just 20 pounds (Apollo's age) to Drago's 88, one swat could send her flying and perhaps injuring her. It's a learning curve for the animals and not one to be undertaking without supervision.

Mariah is now 6 months old and 57 pounds. The two of them play well together and I'm less concerned now letting them be outside together while I'm here. I've also left them together in the house for a few minutes to run to the store now that Mariah has stopped making everything in the house her toy. LOL

However, if I'm going to be gone for any length of time (over an hour or so) then the two of them are happy to take a nap in their crates. I think eventually the two of them can hang out in the house for longer periods of time perhaps when Mariah approaches 1 year of age. But I will always keep a close eye on them for now even though the two of them love each other dearly.

Good luck, Tracy

feverone · 07-03-2008, 10:42 PM

Well I feel very bad for your puppy.... but ??? Why was he left unattended??? Puppies should NOT be left alone at that age to run around your house.... You learned a Hard lesson, and sadly Your puppy is paying for it.... I'm sorry if I'm comming across as HARD but! I am a breeder and as a breeder that is one of my fears , is people assuming that a little puppy will be fine loose in a house (and with an adult dog to boot) Would you leave a child of maybe 3yrs old alone??? I think not... so why is it different for your puppy?
Good luck in the future with him.
JMHO

Monica · 07-05-2008, 03:15 PM

I am so glad he made it through the surgery ok- he looks so sad I want to cry!

I hope things go ok at home between him and Athena and that he recovers quickly!