[tinkerbells mom]

I am so glad I found this forum. If this question has been asked, I apologize.

My min pin was attacked on the 19th by my neighbors dog. My daughter had let my dog out to go to the bathroom and my neighbors dog got out the front door and charged at her. I wasnt here, but from what my daughter and the neighbor said, he flipped her, breaking her front right leg

Of course it being Sunday when it happened, none of the vets were open and the 2 that had emergency hours, was unavailable. I had to take her about 45 minutes from here to a emergency vet that was open 24 hours, but I still was charged a outrageous office fee being that it was on the weekend.

My neighbor told me she would take care of the bill. When I got there and it was all said and done it came to 454.00. The check she gave me was blank, with all her info in it, when I called her with the total charges she told me she did not have that kind of money in the bank. I knew I couldnt fill the check in, because they have that telecheck service and it would have declined it anyways.

So, thankfully my bank was right across the road and they allowed me to withdraw the money, which suprised me, because most ATM's have a limit. She came over the next day and paid 300 and the following Friday she paid the rest.

(I dont know why I am telling you all this, but I guess Ill tell you that to tell you what my real question is)

I have had to take her to the vet every week since this has happened. So far it has been basically a free charge as they are only checking the splint.

My concern is, will my dog have a normal life again? My vet tells me that it is rare that she will heal properly without surgery. She is bandaged up tight, but she said normally the bones will grow outwards and the leg will either turn outward or the toes could begin to curl in.

This is devastating to me. I know my neighbor will not front another bill, she acted like it killed her to pay what she did pay. She read the bill and was so concerned on all the "unnecessary" lab work they did on her.

I was a nice person, I did NOT call the cops, because they would have likely put her dog down, and when it was all said and done, she said it was lucky he didnt attack my daughter.

I have money in my savings but I dont want to front a high vet bill, and the process not end like it should. Thats what happened to my moms cat, they said the surgery would help it, when it ended up dying anyways.

I do NOT want my dog to lose a leg, and the thought is just devastating to me.

Does anyone have any experience with broken bones on small dogs and the outcome?

HELP

[Yogi]

Just to point out first, you do not have a miniature Doberman. The Zwergpinscher is in no way related to Dobermann's Pinscher.
The issue of broken legs in Miniature Pinscher is common as they are a mix of a smooth coated Dachshund and an Italian Greyhound, the latter being prone to leg breaks. Too many people are incessant on getting a small breed that they do not understand or no the difference in a properly bred Miniature Pinscher from one that is small and cute. These are terriers and as such should be a solid 11 to 12 inches and weight appropriate. Part of this is viewing the dam and sire for proper leg development to avoid possibilities pertaining to fragile broken structure that lends itself to easy breaks. With proper treatment often calling for pinning of the bones, the leg can heal just fine. Good luck.

[Lara's mom]

If you have any more expenses as a result of that woman's dog attacking yours, take her to small claims court. When your dog causes damage to another dog you have to take full responsibility. If she isn't willing to do it, you may have to force her hand. The part about her saying that you were lucky that the dog didn't attack your daughter makes me nervous.