Answer

I suspect that this fee would be in line, if it included anesthesia and the hardware to be used in the operation. In some metropolitan areas, it may even be considered a good deal.

What is your alternative? Putting a cast on a fractured femur, while possible, isn't the best way to go, if you have a choice... use of the leg will be restricted to the point that he may need some sort of rehab after the cast is removed, if he doesn't have healing problems from the inability to completely immobilize the fractured bone.

Eleven years may present a healing problem, but that is greatly minimized by the internal reduction proposed...any movement of the fractured ends of the bone hinders bone regeneration. Properly done, either a pin or bone plate will render the fracture immobile and he would likely be using the leg within a week (depending on the surgeon's recommendation). You may have a charge for a minor anesthesia to remove the pin after healing, if that is the procedure done for repair.

He will not regain use of the leg without some sort of repair, and anything short of surgery to fix it is likely to be unsatisfactory to you, in the long run.

Rehabilitation? Probably none with surgery, impossible to say with anything lesser. Pain afterwards? Maybe a few days post op, but keeping most dogs 'subdued' for a couple weeks tends to be more of a problem. If you live in the 'winter zone' ( I'm in Phoenix) he may experience a little tenderness next winter with the cold, but it usually disappears the succeeding years.

I hope this is helpful, and best wishes all around.

Edited by XXXXX XXXXXXX, DVM on 1/29/2008 at 6:04 AM