Broken leg :(

[Solo1]

Unfortunatly our border terrier had an accident on Wednesday. Tilly was chased by our neighbours dog (Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy - just wants to play but he's so big Tilly just runs for it whenever he comes charging), Tilly shot under a car which was stationary at the time and as she's so small the driver (my mum, oops) didn't see and reversed the car!

Well, thankfully mum is an ex-veterinary nurse and spotted a broken leg straight away and we whizzed her down to the vets. She had surgery yesterday and all seems to be well - though she has an external fixator which is where the trouble comes in. Tilly is a very active, playful dog, and we're worried about trying to keep her still. We have a cage for her (mum used to breed German shepherds and it's their travel cage) which we're lining with carboard so her fixator doesn't get caught, but really, how do we keep her still?! Is sedation an option? She is such a friendly girl she'll just throw herself around, despite any discomfort.

 

[Spudlet]

Oh bless her You can get various toys meant to challenge them mentally - good old Kongs are great, and you can get others, such as Nina Otterson (sp?) puzzles which will tire her brain out without requiring too much movement.

I hope she feels better soon!

 

[Solo1]

I shall look into the toys, thanks Only problem is if she chews a bit off and starts flinging it around, her favourite game...

Pain does not hold her back, she was struggling to get out my arms at the vets to meet new people even though she was in shock. She's too friendly for her own good!

 

[ChesnutsRoasting]

What a nightmare for you. I've got a border terrier and was thinking what I would do if a similiar thing happened to me. Spudlets suggestion is good, my terrier loves a good chew - rawhide, raw bones, rubber toys etc and the time he spends chewing does tire him. You could speak to the vet regarding sedation, at the end of the day if she must be immobile but insists on fidgeting in her cage then that may be the only answer.

 

[FinnishLapphund]

I'm sorry to hear about your poor Tilly's accident and I hope her leg heals as quickly as possible.

Most of Nina Ottosson's boredom breakers/brain-exercising toys, are only suitable to be used under supervision, you hide a treat inside it and then they have to figure out how to get it out. Once it is empty, you either remove or refill it.
I have some of Nina Ottosson's toys, my dogs favourite is Dog Tornado Wood, info + scroll down for a short video of the toy being used.
Her toys are sold in the UK, e.g. swellpets, petplanet and mutleyandmog .

In case anybody is curious, I also have Dog Brick Wood, Dog Smart Wood, Dog Pyramid Plastic, Qulan Plastic and Dog Treat Trapper, but I haven't found the later being sold in UK.

As I recall, Prose's Stella enjoys this boredom breaker Boston-terrier-challenge .


Then there is always the advice about stuffing the Kong full of something, put it in the Freezer and give it to her Frozen. Lots of good recipes ideas on this thread Kong filling ideas please!


In case it could be an option for your Tilly, I also want to mention that I've had stubborn bitches who has refused to accept that they were convalescents that should stay home and rest, while the other ladies was taken out for their usual walks. Convalescent always "won"

and was taken out on a walk in a pram, on appropriate places she was lifted out of it, to sniff around and to go on the toilet and after a short while, she was lifted back into the pram.

Good luck with Tilly.