Bonnie's Toe Woes

[deboosh]

For the past 3 months, I've been writing "Bonnie updates" on Facebook. They documented her progress following the surgical repair for a toe dislocation that occurred while chasing her good friend, Willy. I also wrote about this on our Canadian greyhound forum, but because her injury is not uncommon, and because she so easily developed complications, I felt it was important to post about it here. My apologies to those who have seen this previously, however it may be helpful to another pupper/owner who may face a similar injury one day.

 

The surgery was successful; however 8 days following the repair, Bonnie suddenly stopped eating. She became lethargic, and had no interest in walkies. Lethargy can be interpreted as laziness, and its not unusual for her to skip a meal or two, but no walkies? Something was definitely wrong!

 

Dr. Bala removed her bandages. Ugh, you wouldn't have believed our shock. My poor little girlie developed a very serious infection from inflammation. It caused the bandages to essentially strangle her foot. Dr. Bala felt that one more day without intervention, and she would have gone into septic shock. She could have lost her foot; she could have lost her life! She spent the next 3 days in hospital, and lost 9 lbs. There she was hand-fed, and received IV fluids and antibiotics. Once she was out of the woods, she came home. She went back 3 x/wk for bandage changes that continued for the next 13 weeks.

 

On Dec. 1st, the bandages came off for the very last time! Bonnie is still limping; but it's not because of pain ~~ she just doesn't realize she can walk on it yet. I must remember baby steps and patience; it'll happen all at her own pace.

 

I wrote Bonnie's final FB update a few days ago, and thought I'd share it with you, here:

 

"The LAST Bonnie Update! It seems like we’ve been waiting forever for this day to arrive, and FINALLY, we can officially say that Bonnie is now healed! Her initial injury was Sept. 6th. It's been a long haul, and three long months later, the bandages have been removed. Bonnie couldn’t have had a more capable veterinarian than Dr. Bala, of Cloverdale Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Bala has a calming presence; and is very capable and conscientious. He followed Bonnie very closely; she was in GREYT hands!

 

Bonnie will definitely miss her thrice weekly bandage changes for no other reason than to get kisses and pats from Dr. Bala’s team. She never used to be a fan of her vet visits, but her fears have since been replaced with unbridled enthusiasm and helicopter tail; all due to the kindness of Gen, Nicole and Joanne.

 

A genuine and heartfelt THANK YOU to Dr. Bala, Gen, Nicole and Joanne for taking such excellent care of our Bonnie girl!"

 

. . . and what story is complete without a pictorial, boys and girls:

 

Sept. 6th: At home moments after surgery. Still dopey and not a happy camper.

 

 

The latest in cone of shame couture:

 

 

Her muzzle with makeshift poop guard was much more effective and comfortable:

 

 

The infection, 8 days following surgery; my apologies for the graphic pic.

 

 

The celebratory THANK YOU! Bonnie lost her vet fears! The happy ending:

 

Edited December 12, 2014 by deboosh

[Feisty49]

What a long haul you and she have had. I'm glad you posted it here because I didn't read it on FB. This is one of those "What if" situations. What if you hadn't taken her in on the day you did? As the vet said, something terrible would have happened. Thankfully it didn't. She's bandage and infection free for the holidays. That's the best present.

[JJNg]

Were any bandage changes done between the day of surgery and day 8?

[duncan41]

Oh-em-gee. What a near miss!!! So glad everything turned out for the best!

[deboosh]

No, JJNG, there were no bandage changes between surgery and discovery of the infection. The vet called a couple of times during that week to ask how she was doing. She didn't try licking, or seem to be in any discomfort, and we thought she was doing well until day 8 which was the first day she lost her appetite.

[JJNg]

I hope that's one lesson the vet learned... It's pretty standard to do a bandage change 3-4 days after surgery for any dog, but for greyhounds I do the initial bandage change no more than 2-3 days later, and then twice weekly thereafter.