i have a gyp that had her tendon cut completely into by a big boar 2 yrs ago. i went thru the same deal as metioned but she chewed the stitches out had to take her back in and have it re done, i had one of those big deals(lamp shade

) on her neck but some how she got around it to chew the cast and stiches out.
i would recomend making an extra long one for your dog dont take a chance on him chewing it out. it took my dog over a year to get right again, but now you wouldnt know she was ever hurt.
what did it cost you to have it repaired, i spent about $500 on my dog, thats having it re-done and all.