PATCHES
Guess who has been Adopted!!
We couldn't be happier to announce that after over a year in rescue, through surgery and rehabilitation, Patches has been adopted!
Patches cuddle time with his favorite kitty
Patches helping a scared rescue friend learn to play
Patches
PATCHES, our handsome boy! He's loving life and resting up before surgery next week. Won't you please show him how much we all care for him by SHARING and DONATING
One small step...
Patches' First Underwater Steps!
Patches' First Christmas
Day of Surgery - 12/13/17
Patches History
ABOUT PATCHES
Patches was injured one week before Irma. He was in Antigua. He was found on the side of the road, unable to use either hind leg. He stayed in a foster in Antigua for the storm, who ended up holding on to him, until he came to our rescue Friday before last. He now uses the right leg to walk, and even hop a long at a good pace. He is painful, when it's nearing time to have his pain meds again. Even under sedation, he was very painful and they had a hard time fully manipulating that left leg (which shows in the xrays). Xrays showed fractures to his pelvis (which are healing) and a complete shattering of the femoral head on the left leg.
Since he's been with me, he has gotten xrays, eval by Dr. Wong (neurology specialist to check on his leg), pain meds, wound tx for the wound on top of foot (It's looking much better now). He is about 7 months old, and 41lbs. HW-, up to date on vaccines, and fully dewormed. He is an absolute joy, he loves other dogs and is good with my daughter (4yrs). He is a bit shy when he first meets people and is in new situations, but quickly overcomes that shyness. He is food motivated, crate trained, and for the most part has no accidents in the house.
OUR HERO!
Patches saved his foster sister's life!
The story, in the words of his foster mom:
This has been a terrifying day (Nov 23). I've never seen Bufo toads in my yard before, but since the water is much higher now since the hurricane I guess this is going to be an issue. To explain what happened, Varuka, Maleficent and Patches were in the yard sunbathing as they do every morning. I had the back door cracked and I was in the kitchen, where I can see them through the window. Varuka walked inside and was getting on the couch when she dropped to the floor in a seizure. I ran from the kitchen, she expressed her bowels, and continued to seize. I was on speaker phone with Alexandra and I asked her to time the seizure. Varuka has a background suffering from Toxoplasmosis, which causes slow neuro degeneration in the rear. My first thought was that this was a complication from the Toxo, despite the past two years the disease has not presented in any way since her last treatment. As I held Varuka and tried to keep her from hitting her head around, I looked at the other dogs and begged to know what happened. Patches ran out in to the yard and ran back with a huge dead road. Immediately I realized this was a Bufo toad incident and not a seizure. If it weren't for Patches I wouldn't have know what to tell the vet and today might not have turned out this way. I carried Varuka to the car, loaded up Patches and Maleficent too just in case they had gotten any of the poison, Iza and pjs and grabbed my bra to put on in the car. We were in the hospital within 17 minutes of her getting the poison toad. I'm so thankful there was so little traffic and that Doral Hospital was open. These cases are often deadly, and it's only quick action that can save them. I'm still a nervous wreck
Patches & Varuka
Patches was sore and exhausted after his first full day at physical therapy. We are thrilled he has been cleared for surgery!
As soon as Patches' surgery is scheduled, we will post an update!
MEDICAL HISTORY
Nov 30 Pupdate:
After attempting physical therapy with Patches, the specialist has decided that he will need FHO surgery as soon as possible. Therapy will be a major necessity in his after care to ensure his full recovery.
The estimate is now up to $3,000. See fundraiser link for copies of the estimate and vet information.
Nov 15 Pupdate:
Dr. Holtsinger and Dr. have agreed on a one month physical therapy plan before reassessing his progress to decide on surgery. He will need physical therapy twice a week, and we need everyone's help!
The breakdown of rehabilitation therapy just for this month is:
Orthopedic Examination and pain medication - $107.10
Physical Therapy Assessment - $63
Full day physical treatment (8 x 94) - $752
Total for first month - $922.10
November 13, 2017
Patches met and was assessed by Dr. Loser at the Animal Recreation and Rehabilitation Center in Davie. He received his first acupuncture and laser treatment, and has an at home therapy plan for the days between therapy.
November 8, 2017
Patches had a consultation with Dr. Holtsinger, who has recommended with see Dr. Loser to discuss possible physical therapy to help the nerves in the injured leg. She feels that future orthopedic surgery may help, but first we would need to make sure the leg will be able to function - specifically, if we can rebuild the muscle and nerve control of the lower part of the leg and foot.
October - Second half of the month
Well, our primary vet, secondary vet, and two surgeons could not all get on the same page. We have scheduled a visit with an orthopedic specialist for Nov 8, to get yet another opinion.
We have promised Patches we will do everything in our power to help him recover and be able to regain use of his injured leg.
Please keep him in your thoughts during this painful journey!
October 12 - Neurology Specialist Visit
PAWESOME PUPDATE!!!
Dr Wong assessed his nerve function in the leg and foot, and he thinks the leg can be saved!!!! Next step: an FHO orthopedic surgery to clean up all the bone fragments out of the hip socket, smooth out the fractured femoral end, and get this leg to work without severe pain!!!
Back to our main vet to schedule FHO surgery!
October 10 - More X-Rays
We are still waiting to hear from the specialists, but please keep sharing the stories of Patches and Island girl. Both of them will need surgery, we are just waiting to see if the legs can be saved.
Patches is feeling much more playful now that he has some good pain management on board! We will be posting video soon :)
Patches was painful during his initial exam, so we had him sedated to get better xrays. Even with sedation and an analgesic on board, he was still notable painful when the vet was trying to straighten his legs. His situation is very complex. He has several fractures in the pelvis, and the femoral head was completely broken off. Since these fractures are several weeks old, some of the bone fragments have begun to fuse in the ball socket of the pelvis, creating an impossibly painful situation. One option is to go in surgically, clean up the bone fragments, smooth off the end of the femur, and create a false joint (not unlike what we were able to do for Dexter’s years old hip injury). What is complicating the situation for Patches is that he also suffered nerve damage due to these injuries. Initial exams yesterday show that he has deep nerve response in the outter part of his foot, but seems to have complete nerve damage on the inner part of the foot. What results is that he has partial control over movement in the leg, but then the foot does not land properly when he steps. He has damaged the skin on the top of the toes, and the bandages are helping that heal – but this is not a permanent solution since the damage would be recurring. We have reached out to Dr. Wong at Southeast Veterinary Neurology to consult with him. If there is a solution for the nerve damage, then we feel that there will be an orthopedic solution for the femoral head repair.
