Jake's Medical Fund
Tax deductible
Jake is a playful, loveable 2 yr old. He came from a background of extreme neglect when the family moved and left him behind without even food or water.
Jake was likely hit by a car at some point earlier in his young life. His left front leg needs amputation. His right hip needs FMO (Femoral Head Osteotomy) surgery.
OPTIONS:
Repair broken leg-not an option: We were hoping to repair his leg. This would save on costs and quality of life, but the leg break is too close to the wrist joint to create a stable joint. The ligaments have been stretched too much also so he would have other issues IF it could be saved.
Fuse bones together-not an option: The problem with fusion is the ligaments and tendons are so stretched, having been left for over a year without medical care. Probability is so high the leg will need to come off within a few years anyway. The other big issue is the damage to the bone that occurred so if it was fused, the leg would be shorter than the other. This would compound arthritic changes even more and distorting the skeleton creating/increasing areas of pain & discomfort.
Amputation: Only option left. Jake hobbles on the front leg if he uses it so it will be actually easier for him without it.
PLAN:
Amputate front leg then do FMO surgery.
The reasoning for amputation of the front leg first is to reduce the weight off the hip from a non functioning leg.
Then once amputation is healed healed enough, the FMO surgery can take place.
The head of his femur is not in socket. He is bone on bone in the right hip from what was likely an injury caused by being hit by a car.
The FMO creates a different set of circumstances and needs. The head of the femur is cut off so the part of the long strong leg bone that fits into the socket is gone. The muscles now have to hold the leg in place. This takes time to rebuild the muscle mass as the bone is gone so the one hip looks "flattened" and not as bulked up as the other. This will be a bit less noticable as Jake is furry, & once the coat regrows following surgery!
That his front leg was never treated, compounds his pain (and our frustration) as none of this would have been necessary had he received care promptly. I truly wish there was some miracle to implement here so the front leg could be repaired as close to "new" as possible. Likely if he had gotten treatment when it first happened, none of this would be necessary. :(
POST-OP PROGNOSIS:
Rest assured, that with the proper rehab, very few will be able to tell this was ever done. The dog is not limited by this procedure if rehab is done correctly. The vet will tell you what to look for, that the dog will never be able to run hard all day again, stamina will be limited, etc. BUT if rehab is done right, it is much better than the pain of bones rubbing so the dog does all he wants to do.
Range of motion exercises, scar management and working on strengthening the muscles will be included in his rehab.
SCHEDULE:
Surgery #1: The first surgery could happen on 8/2/17 and Jake would need to be taken over on 8/1 for the fentanol patch to be applied. He would likely stay 2 nights then be able to come home.
Pain management and wound management is needed as it is likely he will develop a seroma (a pocket of fluid that may require drains) despite the leg being removed.
Surgery #2: If healing goes well, the second surgery could happen 8 to 12 weeks later, anywhere from Oct - Dec 2017.
Rehabilitation: Jake will need to be leash only following the FMO surgery for 6 weeks. Once the wound is fully healed, swimming and/or use of an underwater treadmill is an excellent way to build strength and help improve muscle mass.
COST:
Amputation will run $1500- $2000.
FMO Surgery will run $1500- $2000.
Total funds needed: $3000. - $4000.
Jake was a wonderful patient and won hearts at the vet's office too! He has such a sweet disposition for having managed so much pain over such an extended time.
Jake is one tough "cookie" and has the character of a survivor. I have no doubt this dog has a purpose he is meant to fulfill.
Jake was likely hit by a car at some point earlier in his young life. His left front leg needs amputation. His right hip needs FMO (Femoral Head Osteotomy) surgery.
OPTIONS:
Repair broken leg-not an option: We were hoping to repair his leg. This would save on costs and quality of life, but the leg break is too close to the wrist joint to create a stable joint. The ligaments have been stretched too much also so he would have other issues IF it could be saved.
Fuse bones together-not an option: The problem with fusion is the ligaments and tendons are so stretched, having been left for over a year without medical care. Probability is so high the leg will need to come off within a few years anyway. The other big issue is the damage to the bone that occurred so if it was fused, the leg would be shorter than the other. This would compound arthritic changes even more and distorting the skeleton creating/increasing areas of pain & discomfort.
Amputation: Only option left. Jake hobbles on the front leg if he uses it so it will be actually easier for him without it.
PLAN:
Amputate front leg then do FMO surgery.
The reasoning for amputation of the front leg first is to reduce the weight off the hip from a non functioning leg.
Then once amputation is healed healed enough, the FMO surgery can take place.
The head of his femur is not in socket. He is bone on bone in the right hip from what was likely an injury caused by being hit by a car.
The FMO creates a different set of circumstances and needs. The head of the femur is cut off so the part of the long strong leg bone that fits into the socket is gone. The muscles now have to hold the leg in place. This takes time to rebuild the muscle mass as the bone is gone so the one hip looks "flattened" and not as bulked up as the other. This will be a bit less noticable as Jake is furry, & once the coat regrows following surgery!
That his front leg was never treated, compounds his pain (and our frustration) as none of this would have been necessary had he received care promptly. I truly wish there was some miracle to implement here so the front leg could be repaired as close to "new" as possible. Likely if he had gotten treatment when it first happened, none of this would be necessary. :(
POST-OP PROGNOSIS:
Rest assured, that with the proper rehab, very few will be able to tell this was ever done. The dog is not limited by this procedure if rehab is done correctly. The vet will tell you what to look for, that the dog will never be able to run hard all day again, stamina will be limited, etc. BUT if rehab is done right, it is much better than the pain of bones rubbing so the dog does all he wants to do.
Range of motion exercises, scar management and working on strengthening the muscles will be included in his rehab.
SCHEDULE:
Surgery #1: The first surgery could happen on 8/2/17 and Jake would need to be taken over on 8/1 for the fentanol patch to be applied. He would likely stay 2 nights then be able to come home.
Pain management and wound management is needed as it is likely he will develop a seroma (a pocket of fluid that may require drains) despite the leg being removed.
Surgery #2: If healing goes well, the second surgery could happen 8 to 12 weeks later, anywhere from Oct - Dec 2017.
Rehabilitation: Jake will need to be leash only following the FMO surgery for 6 weeks. Once the wound is fully healed, swimming and/or use of an underwater treadmill is an excellent way to build strength and help improve muscle mass.
COST:
Amputation will run $1500- $2000.
FMO Surgery will run $1500- $2000.
Total funds needed: $3000. - $4000.
Jake was a wonderful patient and won hearts at the vet's office too! He has such a sweet disposition for having managed so much pain over such an extended time.
Jake is one tough "cookie" and has the character of a survivor. I have no doubt this dog has a purpose he is meant to fulfill.
Organizer
Debbie Buskirk
Organizer
Conesus, NY
Above and Beyond English Setter Rescue
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
