Broken Radius | The Health of the racing Greyhound

Kim
Guest

Broken Radius May 12, 2016 17:16:22 GMT 10

Post by Kim on May 12, 2016 17:16:22 GMT 10

Hi Tom

I have an 8-month old dog pup that has broken his radius in a paddock accident; the break is above the wrist but not close to the growth plate, nor are the plate and screws that have been put in place to align and help repair the broken bone.

The break was clean break with no fragments.

The vet feels it may be best to leave the plate and screws in place for the rest of his life, but this will be reassessed in a few weeks after a follow up check-up and x-rays etc. - could I ask you please, what are your thoughts on this? I have heard that plates left in place hinder the dog when running and that another break can occur at the end(s) region of the fixed plate. I have also been told that sometimes bone cancer can occur because of plates and screws left in situ.

Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter

Kim

Tom Meulman
Administrator

Posts: 1,183

Broken Radius May 12, 2016 20:22:19 GMT 10

Post by Tom Meulman on May 12, 2016 20:22:19 GMT 10

Hi Kim,

While you have to be guided by your vet in this regard my own experience is that in the long term for a racing greyhound it is best if any plates or pins are removed as soon as practical in regard to the healing of the bone that has taken place.

This I believe is even more important with a pup that still has a bit of growing and a lot more maturing to do, and while fortunately the fracture is not near a growth plate, the inflammation caused by the plate and screws does affect the structure of the bone and can in some instances be a constant source of low level pain to the dog when natural remodeling takes place in the bone structure as a result of the stresses of chasing the lure around a tight circuit.

The biggest drawback to having the plate and screws removed is of course having to go through the whole surgery bit again with all the problems and dangers this can represent, including additional recovery time, and the difficulty with a greyhound that is desperate to run to ensure the bone has sufficient time to strengthen after the removal of the plate.

Cheers,
Tom

Last Edit: May 12, 2016 20:31:08 GMT 10 by Tom Meulman

Everything that happens to a greyhound can only happen because of an action or inaction by its carer, so don’t blame the greyhound when it all goes wrong.

Kim
Guest

Broken Radius May 13, 2016 1:58:37 GMT 10

Post by Kim on May 13, 2016 1:58:37 GMT 10

Thanks Tom, very informative.

I have spoken to a few people whose pups have gone through a similar experience, and they said their’s came back just fine and raced. But in truth, this was never about him ever racing, and maybe I should have been more specific in my original post; when I said running, I meant as other dogs do i.e. in a field or along the beach etc, for whatever his future prognosis is, he has a home with me for life and I want him to enjoy it as much as possible and as comfortable possible on four good legs - or if not four, three good ones and one as decent as possible.

Once again many thanks.

Kim