Hi looking fro some advice as first time puppy mum. I have a 6month old westie who hurt us back leg three weeks ago, he was in the car with myself and when putting him down after lifting him out of the car, I'm not sure what he done. Took Murphy to the vets straight away and he was given a painkilling injection and to bring him back the next day, he was still the same not bearing any weight on it, so back down another injection and then back the following day for an x ray. X ray came back showing no signs of broken bones so was given metacalm for him to take and go back a week later, a week later and still very lame, vet decided to send x ray to orthopedic surgeon and see what they thought, another week later and results were back he has fractured his growth plate in his knee  so back to vets the following day, same vet thought he was walking better which he is but then still lifts it a lot, so now to try and rest him for another week and go back for another x ray, when they will  decide if he needs an operation.  My head is totally swimming, not knowing what is best for my poor wee puppy, i have just read an old topic on the forum and it was also a westie puppy there puppy had its leg bandaged straight away, i am now really concerned for whats best. Any info would be great xxxx

I'm sorry to hear your boy is suffering so much. Hopefully the vet will soon make a diagnosis and start treatment soon.... do you have insurance?

Welcome to the forum x

Are you sure you have the right diagnosis - I've never heard of a growth plate fracture to be honest (always learning something new) ** but what I do know is Westies, like many other of the small breeds, tend to have patella luxation which can cause them to limp - you'll often see Jackies doing a couple of paces, and then hop.    There is surgery to correct this - so the patella sits in the groove better but it doesn't always work as well with some, as with others.    And I'd not rush into surgery - I had one of my Bassets who went down some back steps too fast (my fault) and came up limping.   My then vet said patella and booked her in for surgery.   I rested her off (can't remember if she had anything like Metacam), took her in for the surgery and was surprised to have a call back saying he'd palpated the area again and felt it didn't warrant him doing surgery after all.   She stayed sound ever since.

Your dog is young and I'd, with rest and if needed, pain relief, let him get a bit older before pitching in for surgery to be honest.   But I'm no vet, and you have presumably seen the x-rays etc.

**  I googled and found this article, amongst others .... http://www.vetsurgerycentral.com/growth_plate.htm
My current Basset had premature CLOSURE of the growth plates, ulna, both sides, which has left him with a bit more 'turn out' than ideal with his front legs, but at least they are even!!   This is known in my main breed.

What does the orthopaedic surgeon think?  They are the specialist, after all.

I haven't been to see the surgeon yet he has left a message today I will contact him tomorrow to see what he thinks