Success Story Jerry

Jerry
Male
Color: Brindle
Age: 5
Cats: Cat Tolerant

Jerry came from a racetrack with an injured rear leg. His calcanious bone, which is the main heal bone, was torn from it's normal position and this made it hard for him to walk and very painful. This damage can be repaired surgically but is costly and can be complicated. Jerry entered our Special Needs Program to be evaluated and treated.

Jerry was seen an orthopedic surgery specialist and surgery was planned to stabilize his ankle joint and make it possible for him to walk on his leg again without pain. There are many factors in the success for this surgery, mainly because the damage was several months ago and there has been tissue built up in the joint. That built up tissue can cause problems with the surgery and recovery and after Jerry was sedated, additional x-ray's were done to determine the full extent of his injury. The surgeon saw that his leg had been broken in several places and healed badly, at angles that are not normal. This additional damage made the surgery planned very difficult and maybe impossible. The surgeon explained that, because his leg had been so damaged, the surgery would require major cutting and breaking of the bones in his leg. The prognosis for the surgery was only 50/50 with the potential for complications that would mean Jerry would lose his entire leg. After lengthy discussions with the surgeon, we decided to keep Jerry in a foster home for a few weeks to see how well he can walk without pain and just how limited he is with the injury. After that period of observation, we learned that the damaged bones were fusing together and, although Jerry would have some mobility problems and possibly arthritis as he got older, his leg would heal on it's own. His leg is not straight but it does not cause him pain any longer since the unstable bones fused together. He runs, plays and acts just like the other Greyhounds in his foster home. In this case, the extensive diagnostics and a great surgeon gave Jerry a great outcome. Fortunately, we have great orthopedic surgeons to rely on and they help us do the best thing for Jerry and all of our Greyhounds with orthopedic injuries. Jerry found his home for life this weekend and is now adjusting to life in his permanent home. He is loved, understood and will be well cared for.