Nora Hadley Oberhelman
Donation protected
Miss Nora is my two year old aussiedoodle. In December 2018/January 2019, she started limping after jumping off my bed. I initially thought it was a simple injury and took her to my vet, who gave her some simple meds.
When that didn’t work, I took her to my groomer to have her leg shaved to make sure it wasn’t matting that was hurting her. Unfortunately it wasn’t. She recommended a surgeon that I brought Nora to in February/March.
Ironically he proposed the FHO surgery (where they remove the head of the femur and the scar tissue and muscles form a false joint in its place). When he had her sedated to do the surgery, he did more xrays and didn’t feel comfortable proceeding without further testing.
This went on for many months with lab draws and a bone biopsy testing for bacteria infections (and treating with long course antibiotics with no improvement), and testing for fungus (which was negative).
He did another round of xrays last week and found that her hip bone (and foot bones) had deteriorated substantially since March, and recommended FHO again or to have the fluid from her hip tested.
Last week they drew fluid from her hip and had it tested. Lab results show 77% nutri fills (pus) in the bone and atypical cells indicating an infection- or worse cancer.
So I had the FHO surgery done, and the ball of her femur is being sent away for lab results to determine treatment.
I don’t like asking for financial help for her, and will make it work either way, but anything anyone feels moved to donate is greatly appreciated!
When that didn’t work, I took her to my groomer to have her leg shaved to make sure it wasn’t matting that was hurting her. Unfortunately it wasn’t. She recommended a surgeon that I brought Nora to in February/March.
Ironically he proposed the FHO surgery (where they remove the head of the femur and the scar tissue and muscles form a false joint in its place). When he had her sedated to do the surgery, he did more xrays and didn’t feel comfortable proceeding without further testing.
This went on for many months with lab draws and a bone biopsy testing for bacteria infections (and treating with long course antibiotics with no improvement), and testing for fungus (which was negative).
He did another round of xrays last week and found that her hip bone (and foot bones) had deteriorated substantially since March, and recommended FHO again or to have the fluid from her hip tested.
Last week they drew fluid from her hip and had it tested. Lab results show 77% nutri fills (pus) in the bone and atypical cells indicating an infection- or worse cancer.
So I had the FHO surgery done, and the ball of her femur is being sent away for lab results to determine treatment.
I don’t like asking for financial help for her, and will make it work either way, but anything anyone feels moved to donate is greatly appreciated!
Organizer
Calista Oberhelman
Organizer
West Des Moines, IA
