So to start this off I will give you background on the incident. I handle a dual purpose narcotics K9. At a recent training exercise my partner was in the air approximately 3 feet and came down landing on his wrist awkwardly, and immediately fell over yelping, and began to limp. I took him to my vet, who took x-rays, and stated it was just a bad sprain, nothing was broke.

Fast forward to my follow up exam, three days later. The vet now stated he was concerned that some tendons may have been damaged, and was going to send the xray report to a specialist. I spoke with the specialist on the phone after he reviewed them. He stated that he was concerned my partner suffered a Carpal Hyperextension on the underside of his paw and needs to see him this week.

The specialist told me that I would have to retire the dog, as he could never return back to be a police working dog. I asked for an explanation, and he stated the bone would have to be fused, and he wouldnt have full range of motion anymore. I just graduated class about 3 months ago with him, I am just beside myself right now.

Has anyone experienced this injury? He seems to be putting weight on the leg, and limping only slightly now, but it has only been fours days since the accident. Just breaks my heart to think he won't be able to return to work with me.

I am a retired veterinarian.
I will tell you that predictions of what will happen in the future are dicey at best.
The "tincture of time" will heal MANY things thought un-heal-able, especially in the young. Rest, good food and time have made fools out of many orthopedists.
Don't loose heart.

Thanks for the support,he is a very strong, solid muscle 3 year old import GSD. If any dog can heal from it he can.

Do you happen to have any experience observing Carpal Hyperextension? He does not whimper or act in any kind of discomfort when i feel the area of his paw, joints, or anywhere on that leg. I can see very slight swelling on the this paw though. I see his walking slightly improve everyday. He still has a slight limp tough.

I was a large animal person. Lots of tendon injuries in horses.
Rest=healing. Perhaps immobilization of the carpus would be a way to protect tendons so it would heal, ---or, that leads to weak muscles and increases the chance of re-injury when the cast comes off? I just don't know. Some horses with bowed tendons were cast, all were at least wrapped for support. 35 yrs ago tendons were "fired", i.e. burnt with pin-pricks in a pattern, a dot every cm, hurt so damn bad the horse wouldn't use the leg, when burns healed sometimes the tendon was good. Barbaric, but life-saving for some. Pre-PITA.
I would talk to your nearest vet school and get a prescription for PT for this condition. Get their ideas, their prognosis,their time-frame. Swimming? maybe could be safe exercise.
I just wouldn't give up hope, not at all, no matter what they say.

Thanks for your help, unfortunately my best friend has substantial ligament damage. The only possible solution would be to place a plate in his leg and partially fuse the bone in his leg. I was also told even with the surgery he could never return to working dog status.

Having only worked this dog for six months, it is devastating.

Wow, that's terrible Mike. I am sorry to hear that news.

"Substantial ligament damage" says whom? Do you know the name of the ligament torn by any chance?
How lame is the dog? Does he have to jump to do his job? Can he wear a boot to offer support? Is the injury to the "wrist", the carpus? How much does he weigh?

Not trying to be nosey, I am just curious. Also, predictions in medicine -- The injury is not even 1 month old.
I do not wish to offer false hope about a subject in which I am not an expert but
I would not be ready to throw in the towel quite yet based on what you have reported.

I am decidedly not any kind of expert in this field, I have no veterinary training, but just from what I am reading in your posts in this thread, I think I would be after a second opinion.

If you were willing to share the part of the country you are in, I'm sure our board members could be helpful in directing you to the very best canine orthopedic specialists.

 Quote: mike jones

Thanks for your help, unfortunately my best friend has substantial ligament damage. The only possible solution would be to place a plate in his leg and partially fuse the bone in his leg. I was also told even with the surgery he could never return to working dog status.

I am curious as to why they are saying your dog wouldn't be able to return to working dog status? Many years ago my sister's Rott jumped off a second floor balcony, don't know why, and did a lot of damage to both of his front "wrists". They had to fuse some of the bones, but after everything healed up he went back to basically life as usual as a running partner and Schutzhund dog.

I doubt it would be a good idea to do a lot of FR/Sch style jumping, the landings might be a lot to take over time, but I would think it would be worth at least trying to put the dog back into service and see how it goes, before they just write him off.

I am not a medical professional by annnnyyyy means, but if you were my son and this was your dog, I'd be telling you to "reprogram" your mindset as to show the doc what can happen with a healthy, well handled dog who is given the opportunity to overcome an injury.

If you give up on him, the future you've outlined is most certainly in his future.

If you keep an open mind and give it time, we have no idea what this dog will be able to do. He is ALREADY showing you he isn't a wimp and doesn't give up easily.

Best of luck, and sending positive, healing vibes to you and your partner and dear friend.