If we are friends on Facebook, then by now you know that my dog Arri has been limping around for the past few days. I let her out to run around in the backyard on Friday afternoon – five minutes later she was trying to get back inside by leaning her entire body in earnest against the back door (it wasn’t working, the glass panel is just too sturdy).
She came hobbling in, looking as pitiful as Ralphie when he almost shot his eye out in A Christmas Story. I thought she might have twisted or sprained her foot chasing after squirrels, and I didn’t want to overreact and take her to the emergency vet. The pain seemed to be localized to just one of her weight-bearing toes (is that what they’re called for dogs? Toes? Or is it pawlets?). So I carried her to the couch and make her stay there for as much of the weekend as possible (refer to picture on my previous post).
By Saturday she had figured out how to hop, and fast, too. If there was a picnic to attend that day, she would have won the three-legged race, sans sack. By Sunday she was jumping up and down off beds and couches, and going up and down the stairs looking very happy with herself. Hopping, yes, but mostly normal. Well this morning, said weight-bearing toe was blooming like a rose bud: Bright red and looking very delicate indeed. After work, I took her to the vet for a proper checkup. I’m glad I did! Check through these photos to see why (click on a photo for a larger version)…
Dr. Pittman at the Fountain City Animal Hospital did a thorough checkup on Arri – definitely a bump on the toe, but not sure how bad. X-ray is a go.
Arri gets bonus points for exemplary cooperation
Dr. Pittman tests Arri's leg
Arri waited nervously for the results. Would it be back to chasing squirrels? Or 4 weeks of couch rest?
Arri anxiously watches the vet door
The results came back: Bad news? Definitely a broken bone. Good news? It’s a clean break, so it should heal nicely.
Ouchy! (It's okay, Arri's as tough as a dingo)
DOG BONES!
Because Arri hadn’t eaten since this morning, Dr. Pittman was able to reset Arri’s toe that night. A little doggie anesthesia, some straightening and Arri was good to go!
My favorite part? Arri’s awesome hot pink splint with accenting blue hearts! She was a very happy camper when she came out to meet us. And she’s given up hopping in exchange for a promising career in tap dancing – just one foot of course.
A happy reunion: A hot pink splint with blue hearts!
Weather-proofing
We even got a smart little IV bag with a draw string – whenever she needs to go outside, the splint gets covered to prevent moisture damage.
Ready to go home and eat some pain meds
We will go back to the vet next week for a splint check and possible redressing, then a second X-Ray in a month. By then, the vet is hopeful that Arri’s bone will have calcified and be well down the road to recovery.
For now, Arri’s happy to be home, fed & medicated. Fingers crossed she doesn’t start chewing on the bandages, or she’s going to need a neck cone! (That would just be too pitiful)
Back home, fed, medicated & rapidly passing out
Elfawin in 24bit
The ELWIN 