Help, chin likely broke back leg temp. splint/cone help?

[chinmom]

Today our beloved chin man of 5 years got his foot caught in his wheel and tried to jump. We are pretty sure his leg is broken. Needless to say we are going to be changing cage/wheel types after this incident.

It's 4th of July weekend and the only vets that see chins are closing for the weekend. He is in "ok" spirits. Better than I thought. His rear leg got a minor scrape and is hanging. I was worried about his hip but when he tries to hobble, he can hold the leg up with his hip. I am assuming that he likely broke his leg near the knee or foot. He is eating tiny water soaked raisin pieces and sleeps a while then tries to hobble around. We are very close with him and you can tell he knows we are taking care of him . Poor little guy.....

The vet was out until Monday due to the holiday so I talked to the nurse. She told me that I can attempt to splint it and should likely make a cone/collar to prevent him from chewing it. It is likely that he will chew it? I don't really want to wait to find out but I know that a splint/collar is going to make a really grouchy chin man....

My question is...... what do I use to make a splint, what is the best position to splint it in, is that the best thing or should I just do a collar and let him hold it in position? My other question after that, is what do I use to make a collar and what size to make it? Can he choke by resting on this collar? I am so worried. I know I will be up all night checking on him. I keep worrying that he's not going to be alive everytime I look at him even though it's just his leg.

The vet is going to call me on Monday. Any ideas of what to watch for as it turning into an immediate emergency would be great. I have read about surgery, not always successful. At what point do we decide that we should have it amputated? I sure hope chin man does not have to have this done. How long will it take for me to know? I'm broke so I want to try to splint/collar him and see how he does.

Thank you all in advance for hopefully some quick responses on the splint/collar fabrication/positions and what to look for.

[Sharon69]

I would take him to the vet or emergency vet clinic immediately. If he is showing he is hurt, most likely it could be bad. Most chins don't like to show you when they are in ain or sick. Better safe than sorry to take him to the vet! Hope he gets better!

[chinmom]

There are no emergency vet clinics anywhere in our town that see chins. I called the one vet office that was just closing for the holiday weekend. After talking to her my immediate options are limited unless I am interested in putting him down. That is not an option to us. They told me to temporarily stabilize him for the weekend. I hope that SOMEONE can help me with the best/safest way to at the least collar him so he does not chew on his leg. Anyone?

[RodentzRule]

I would say the best way to make a spling is to put a wooden lolly stick (or you could use tounge deppressers, anything like that) on either side of the leg and then use a bandage or any cloth you can find and tie it tightly around his leg to keep the sticks in place, this should support his leg. I would wait and see if he chews before you put on a collar, good luck

[Jennicat]

I woudn't try to splint it yourself, the vet nurse sounds crazy. It's easy for a broken bone to be really messed up by someone who doesn't know the correct way to splint something. :\

[fuji9991]

Try and search for options out of town a broken limb requires medical attention immediately. Look for rescues in your state they may know someone.

[nik8806]

Any news on the little guy???