Molly’s Leg Repair Surgery

Our dog, Molly, was involved in an accident on my mom’s property Thursday evening 6/4/2020. She was hit by the bucket of an excavator as my family was working to clear a portion of the property. We were not home at the time so my family brought her to meet us at Steamboat Animal Hospital to be evaluated. Molly was visibly in shock and her right arm was in immense pain, so we had to muzzle her to be sure she wouldn’t bite anyone. We later found out she had severely fractured her humerus bone located in the upper portion of her front right leg. X-Rays and evaluation rounded out at around $250 at this point. The break was so bad that the only person comfortable enough to repair it was a surgeon at Olympia Veterinary Specialists, which we were grateful for. At the same time we were concerned because we know their expertise comes at a great cost. We had to then transport her to them so they could keep her overnight before the surgery and even through 1.4ml of hydro-morphine she was still in incredible pain. She was crying out in pain and tears were streaming down her face yet her eyes were glassy, unmoving, and she was laying with her mouth open drooling. It was difficult to see her like that and it still makes me emotional now. We didn’t have the option to take her home since she was in so much pain and would need drugs that were stronger than anything we could safely and legally supply her while at home. 

Fast forward to Friday and Molly was in surgery for about four hours. They placed a pin, some screws, and at least one steel plate in her arm to support her bone for healing. They have to keep her overnight again to make sure that her body is managing the pain well and then she gets to come home for an 8 week recovery process. It’s going to be difficult to keep her from playing with her brother and cousins but we are so grateful that she came out of it alright and we still have her around to be worried about. Anyone who knows Joe and I knows that our dogs are like our children, and we like them more than most people.

So far, the cost associated with her care at OVS is $600 from the first night of nurse care and $4800 for the deposit of the surgery plus the X-rays mentioned before at $250.  We still don’t even have a full total until tomorrow when we hopefully get to pick her up. Anything you can do to help us out would be greatly appreciated. We love her dearly.