August 2009 - Millie Drew and Otto Crimmins
Millie and 
Otto
SNAP!!
Two puppies, one day, two broken front left legs!
On the 11th of August, Millie (a 14 week old Labrador cross) and Otto (a 24 week old Poodle cross Burnese Mountain dog) were both admitted for orthopaedic surgery following fractures to their front left legs.
Millie had been rushed to see the emergency vet on Sunday the 9th of August after trying to jump across a small stream. Millie had misjudged the jump and had collided with the wall on the other side, in a very ungraceful manner! Two forms of pain relief were administered to make Millie comfortable until x-rays were taken.
Her x-rays revealed a supracondylar fracture to the humerus. The fracture required repair using special surgical wire, screws and plates to prevent rotation of the bone fragment. Post-operatively Millie would have to be kept on strict rest for a month, after that lead exercise only for a month. After two hours of surgery, Millie began her recovery and was able to go home that evening.
Otto’s story is slightly different. Otto was playing with his little sister at the time of his accident. Being a little embarrassed that he had been beaten up by a girl he initially was putting on a brave face and only slightly lame on his leg. As the days progressed, Otto’s lameness worsened. Again pain relief was initially administered until x-rays were taken.
His x-rays revealed a fracture to the anconeal process of the ulna. This is a bony prominence where the humerus fits into a groove on the top of the ulna, forming the elbow joint. An oblique ulna osteotomy was performed. This is where a small piece of bone is removed to relieve pressure and reduce the risk of arthritis. He too, would require a month of lead-only exercise and probably be lame for up to 4 months whilst recovering.
After under going such major surgery, both puppies were bright enough to be allowed home with matching support bandages and a strong form of pain relief that evening.
After a couple months of rest, both puppies can return to bouncing around and causing trouble.
This really was a case of SNAP!
