Tonight Bowser read VERY BEST NEWS EVER from Buddy Foster Mom, Stacie!!!
Buddy was neutered and x-rayed at the University of Missouri Veterinary
Teaching Hospital this week. They were able to get really good radiographs
of Buddy's legs while he was anesthetised. The radiologist thoroughly
examined the radiographs and has concluded that Buddy's right leg was
never broken or fractured. Both of Buddy's front legs are deformed due to
premature closure of the growth plate in the bones of his legs. Bassets
are notorious for this condition. However, poor breeding, malnutrition, trauma
(i.e. dropping the dog, twisting the legs, etc) can cause this condition.
Additionally, the fact that Buddy was kept in a small crate probably
exacerbated his condition. Furthermore, Dr. Fox feels that the former
owners are negligent. If the owners would have gotten Buddy veterinary care when
the first signs were observed than it could have been corrected with less
invasive treatments.
Buddy's orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Fox, is ready to operate on Buddy's left
leg (the worst one). To appropriately align the leg the surgeon will have to
make 2 or 3 cuts into the bone and then set the bone in place with a bone
plate (or pins & an exterior fixator plate). Buddy will have to be
hospitalized for 5-7 days and will be kept on morphine until he is
comfortable enough to come home. Depending on the procedure they have to
use
Buddy will have to wear a bandage for 1 or 6 weeks after surgery. The
surgery itself is estimated to be $1500 for the left leg. Weekly bandage
changes will probably cost $40. Following surgery Buddy will have to be
x-rayed 3 to 4 times at 6 week intervals. They estimate the cost to be
$100/visit.
Dr. Fox has decided to wait to correct the right leg until Buddy has
recovered from the first surgery. One of the bones in Buddy's right leg is
not sitting in the joint properly (subluxation). This is also due to the
premature closure of the growth plate on one of the bones in that leg. He
is planning on doing a less invasive procedure that will correct the
dislocation at the elbow joint and help straighten that leg out. This
procedure is less invasive and will cost less than the first surgery.
If you have not done so please visit Buddy's webpages at:
http://Bowserhome.Tripod.com>. There is a link to a video of Buddy
playing.
We hope to have the webpage updated soon with new pictures and the latest
medical information. Buddy is an exceptional dog. Despite the trauma and
abuse he has endured he is a very sweet and loving boy. He was very happy
to come home after his 2 day hospitalization. He played, barked and ran all
night. He ravenously enjoyed his dinner. Then he collapsed on one of the
beds and slept like a baby. Buddy is all puppy and thankfully now he will
have a long pain-free life to live.
If we do not perform these procedures soon osteoarthritis will begin to
occur. We are told that there is a minute chance that Buddy won't use the
corrected leg. However, we feel the chance is small enough that we should
go ahead with the surgery. If we do nothing for Buddy the damage will be
irreversible and painful. I plan on scheduling his surgery for next week.
If you can send a small donation to go towards Buddy's care please do so (see
address below). Please remember the small donations add up! This is a
joint effort between MABR & WTVBR. Both groups have numerous dogs in there care
that need our help. We can not afford to pay for Buddy's surgeries without
your help. If you'd like to participate in our calendar fundraiser:
Donations: Please make checks payable to MABR
Address:
MABR
PO Box 35
Paola, KS 66071
Paypal donations use: houndsrus99@hotmail.com address.
Thanks for your time and support. If you have any questions about Buddy
please email me privately at k9closet@mcmsys.com
Sincerely,
Stacie Raymond & The Gang
www.mabr.org
www.k9closet.homestead.com