Question:
We have a basket wicker chair in our home and my pug, Polly, always sits with me in it. Well a week ago she was getting down to play and got one of her legs caught in the holes of the chair. She was mementarilly hanging by it until I sat up to get her out. She was yelping and holding it straight out. I loaded her up and immediately took her to the vet.

The vet examined her and said he didn't feel like it was broken, but wasn't for sure. He gave her a shot for the pain, and some pills for future pain and inflammation. He called the next morning to ask about her. I said she isn't any worse, nor is she any better. He said if I felt like it to bring her in to be x-rayed and he'll go from there. With the x-ray at my preferrence, I didn't know what to do.

After talking with several people I was convinced to give her a couple of days to see how she responded. Well, a week had passed and she still won't use the leg to walk. When she plays she will occasionally put pressure on the leg but only for a second.

I'm confused should I take her to the vet a week later, where I can pay another examination fee, x-rays, and treatment? Just for the vet to tell me he doesn't know. Or since she occasionally will put pressure on the leg will she use it when she's ready.

I will pay for another vet visit if necessary, but I'm not making a ton of money. A vet visit is realistic financially, but would make things very hard for the rest of the family. I would appreciate any advice. Thank You

Answer:
I would suggest getting a second opinion from another vet in your area. If a vet says that they do not know, then they are probably new at their job, or just don't care enough (this is my opinion only). :(
Is your puppy able to straighten her leg at all? Such as when she is laying down or anything?

Hope your puppy gets well soon.

Answer:
she can straighten her leg. she can bend it and straighten it.

Answer:
She may have just torn a muscle or ligamet (don't know how to spell it). But I did a search for a lower income vet in your area. This may help.
Pet Helpers Inc.
Charleston SC
843-795-1110
Web: www.pethelpers.org

Answer:
I would also take her to a different vet for a second opinion. The first one doesn't sound experienced enough to me.

Good luck and please post with an update.

Answer:
Hmm.. It depends. If you expected him to know if it was broken or not without xrays, then of course he wouldn't. Unless it's a reallly obvious break, you can never know if it's a soft tissue injury or a fracture. You need the xrays to be sure. If the xray shows a broken bone, then you'll have to pay for it to be fixed somehow. If it doesn't show a break, it's likely that it's a tendon/muscle/ligament thing, which will probably heal over time.

Don't assume the vet doesn't know what he's talking about when you say no to the xrays.

Answer:
Without an x-ray, only an open fracture, and possibly a transverse fracture can be diagnosed without an x-ray. A simple hairline fracture, or even a spiral fracture has no significantly different external appearance from a serious soft tissue injury.

Answer:
I would definately take her to get an x-ray. If it was a torn muscle or ligament, sprain or strain I would think that the pain medication and rest would have helped. Often x-rays can help identify if there is a small break or fracture. I think it would be best to rule out potential future problems by having the x-ray done now. For example if one of the numerous, tiny bones in a foot were to be broken, it would be impossible to identify without an x-ray. If it goes untreated it may heal in a poor position and be the cause of greater expense in the future. Good luck!

Answer: