Hairline Fracture on the back? Plus broken toes? - Maltese Dogs Forum : Spoiled Maltese Forums

**Madeleinesmommy** · 01-22-2013, 10:59 AM

About 3 weeks ago I took my dog outside to potty. She was excited and wanted to run through the snow. When she came in the house she was having difficulty walking and was crying in pain. After taking her the vet and trying the first treatment or painkillers and anti-inflammatory shot, she did not improve. So she went back to the vet for X-rays. The source of her pain was near her tail and after the vet looked at the X-rays they didn't really see anything but believed she has a hairline fracture on her lower back near her pelvic bone. She received another shot that is like a steroid but not. She is doing 100% better. She is supposed to be resting but I'm having a hard time getting her to stay still and not play.

Anyone ever experience anything like this? If so has this been a chronic issue.

Another thing is that she had been licking her right paw non-stop. After at least 8 vet visits and second opinions and third opinions my new vet ( whom I love) wanted to X-ray her food. And the X-Ray showed two broken deformed toes meaning she probably broke her toes as a puppy and the bones grew weird which is giving her a chronic licking discomfort issue. I'm so mad at the other two vets that said she had a psychological issue when in fact she has a major issue. She's never had issues walking or showed any pain ( besides what happened above ) they said we'll just have to manage her pain and discomfort for the rest of her life.

**DoctorCathyG** · 01-22-2013, 11:48 AM

Madeleinesmommy---I'm so sorry you're having to deal with that. I don't have experience with any of these problems. And thank goodness your third vet FINALLY listened.

I'll be sending good thoughts. I hope everything heals up well on her back. And have you tried giving her bully sticks? i know that it entertains my dogs and keeps them quiet for at least a little while. good luck!

**Ladysmom** · 01-22-2013, 12:50 PM

I'd suggest you crate her since the vet recommended rest. If you have a stroller you could put her in that when you are home so she can be with you. That's what many of our SMer's have done while their dogs have had to recuperate from knee surgery.

**Yogi's Mom** · 01-22-2013, 01:12 PM

Iam So Sorry,for your little one and you.
Prayers for you both from Pa. Nickee & Yogi*

**Grace'sMom** · 01-22-2013, 03:38 PM

I'd ask for a referral to a specialist.... she may not have pain now, but what about later on in life?

I'd just want to be reassured from a specialist (ortho vet?).... Maybe they could do surgery and rebreak and reset the bones. Sounds horrible but... what if the malformed bones cause future issues?

Like others said - keep her confined. Grace is wanting to bounce all over right now but I don't want her to get injured so she is kept in her xpen, her laundry basket, or carried. She's bored, but it won't be for forever

**michellerobison** · 01-22-2013, 04:53 PM

When I nursed a kitten with a broken pelvis and leg, ,he was too little for pain killers so I brewed chamomile tea for him, extra heavy brew, it made him sleepy and he rested..Doesn't totally zonk them out but they do sleep more and aren't as restless.
I had to keep him as still as I could so the bones would heal and you know how kittens are.... did that for a couple weeks...

**Madeleinesmommy** · 01-23-2013, 10:17 PM

*Cannot believe I put " They X-ray'd her food" lol. I meant foot.

I've never tried Bully Sticks so I'll have to look for them. I'm always unsure of what treats to get her unless I've had a recommendation.

I would really love to solve the issue and not just deal with the pain " her foot " that is. I'll have to look into an ortho vet.

She gets annoyed that she cannot play with her best buddies but is being pretty good about it. She has one bad tendency and that is to roll around on the floor on her back like a wiggly worm and I've been trying to put a stop to that.

Her fur on her bothersome foot is red-brown from her licking it constantly.

I'm so happy that I did take her to the third vet for the 9th opinion because the other two vets told me she had "psychological issues" and when I saw the X-ray I felt so awful that she has deformed toes.

But on the plus side, since she had full body X-rays , the vet said her legs, knees, and the rest of her body looks EXCELLENT!

01-22-2013, 10:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
Madeleinesmommy Maltese Guru Name: Hannah Dog's Name: Madeleine "Maddie" Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 272	Hairline Fracture on the back? Plus broken toes? About 3 weeks ago I took my dog outside to potty. She was excited and wanted to run through the snow. When she came in the house she was having difficulty walking and was crying in pain. After taking her the vet and trying the first treatment or painkillers and anti-inflammatory shot, she did not improve. So she went back to the vet for X-rays. The source of her pain was near her tail and after the vet looked at the X-rays they didn't really see anything but believed she has a hairline fracture on her lower back near her pelvic bone. She received another shot that is like a steroid but not. She is doing 100% better. She is supposed to be resting but I'm having a hard time getting her to stay still and not play. Anyone ever experience anything like this? If so has this been a chronic issue. Another thing is that she had been licking her right paw non-stop. After at least 8 vet visits and second opinions and third opinions my new vet ( whom I love) wanted to X-ray her food. And the X-Ray showed two broken deformed toes meaning she probably broke her toes as a puppy and the bones grew weird which is giving her a chronic licking discomfort issue. I'm so mad at the other two vets that said she had a psychological issue when in fact she has a major issue. She's never had issues walking or showed any pain ( besides what happened above ) they said we'll just have to manage her pain and discomfort for the rest of her life.

01-22-2013, 12:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ladysmom Maltese Guru Name: Marj Dog's Name: Bailey and Lady at the Bridge Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina Posts: 17,360	I'd suggest you crate her since the vet recommended rest. If you have a stroller you could put her in that when you are home so she can be with you. That's what many of our SMer's have done while their dogs have had to recuperate from knee surgery. __________________ http://www.myladysdogbows.com/ http://www.facebook.com/pages/MLadys...s/182366213341

01-22-2013, 01:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
Yogi's Mom Maltese Guru Name: Nickee Dog's Name: Yogi Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Uniontown,pa Posts: 2,321	Iam So Sorry,for your little one and you. Prayers for you both from Pa. Nickee & Yogi* __________________ The Love of My Life,Yogi*

01-22-2013, 03:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
Grace'sMom Maltese Guru Name: Tori Dog's Name: Grace -maltipoo, Gus - poodle mix Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: USA Posts: 2,932	I'd ask for a referral to a specialist.... she may not have pain now, but what about later on in life? I'd just want to be reassured from a specialist (ortho vet?).... Maybe they could do surgery and rebreak and reset the bones. Sounds horrible but... what if the malformed bones cause future issues? Like others said - keep her confined. Grace is wanting to bounce all over right now but I don't want her to get injured so she is kept in her xpen, her laundry basket, or carried. She's bored, but it won't be for forever __________________ Grace (Dec. 4, 2011) & Gus (Dec.15, 2009) my lyme journey blog: purplelymegirl my lyme video (updated link): Tick,tick,tick... Time to see Lyme

01-22-2013, 04:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
michellerobison Maltese Guru Name: Michelle Robison Dog's Name: Amber, Emily,Lil Bit, Rylee, Sasha and a cat named Harry Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: N.W. Ohio Posts: 7,072	When I nursed a kitten with a broken pelvis and leg, ,he was too little for pain killers so I brewed chamomile tea for him, extra heavy brew, it made him sleepy and he rested..Doesn't totally zonk them out but they do sleep more and aren't as restless. I had to keep him as still as I could so the bones would heal and you know how kittens are.... did that for a couple weeks... __________________ Mommy my bows are too tight... When bad grooming happens to good Malts... Jewellery, Doggie Goodies, Handmade tiles,cool flying pictures http://www.picturetrail.com/michellerobison Vote for Southern Comfort Maltese Rescue , Chattanooga, TN http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/c...hallenge.faces

01-22-2013, 11:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
DoctorCathyG Newbie Name: Cathy Dog's Name: Sprite & Ellie (maltese). And Gruffi (german shep mix) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: fort collins, co Posts: 11	Madeleinesmommy---I'm so sorry you're having to deal with that. I don't have experience with any of these problems. And thank goodness your third vet FINALLY listened. I'll be sending good thoughts. I hope everything heals up well on her back. And have you tried giving her bully sticks? i know that it entertains my dogs and keeps them quiet for at least a little while. good luck!

01-23-2013, 10:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
Madeleinesmommy Maltese Guru Name: Hannah Dog's Name: Madeleine "Maddie" Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 272	*Cannot believe I put " They X-ray'd her food" lol. I meant foot. I've never tried Bully Sticks so I'll have to look for them. I'm always unsure of what treats to get her unless I've had a recommendation. I would really love to solve the issue and not just deal with the pain " her foot " that is. I'll have to look into an ortho vet. She gets annoyed that she cannot play with her best buddies but is being pretty good about it. She has one bad tendency and that is to roll around on the floor on her back like a wiggly worm and I've been trying to put a stop to that. Her fur on her bothersome foot is red-brown from her licking it constantly. I'm so happy that I did take her to the third vet for the 9th opinion because the other two vets told me she had "psychological issues" and when I saw the X-ray I felt so awful that she has deformed toes. But on the plus side, since she had full body X-rays , the vet said her legs, knees, and the rest of her body looks EXCELLENT!

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