Houndless Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 Hello super smart Greyhound folks, I really need your help! Approximately two weeks ago my sweet grey baby girl Vesta was chasing a bunny in our backyard when disaster struck. Of course my great huntress decided to give chase. They ran parallel to the fence with the bunny on one side and Vesta on the other. For some reason Vesta decided that she wanted to stop so she slammed on her brakes. Her drivers side rear foot went half way into the fence ripping the web out from in between the two toes. She also had a quarter size patch of skin ripped off her passengers front leg, no biggie. Of course She couldn't stop with just those two injuries. No, she had somehow, twisted her knee I guess, and shattered her patella. On the X-rays you could see a small piece of bone that chipped off and was attached to a small piece of ligament that got pulled towards the bottom of her knee. The rest of it was all kind of pulled up from where it should be and just a bunch of pieces. I'm sorry this is taking so long but I want to give you as much of the story as possible. Ok, we rushed her to the e-vet, (of course this happened on a Sunday, X-rays and all that jazz. They wrapped best they could and told me to see my regular vet in the next day or so. Got into them and my vet agreed the knee was a mess, he even consulted with an ortho vet and they agreed. They recommended that we try to keep her as calm as possible and come back in three weeks yo take a look and see how it's healing. I guess my question is, if the knee isn't healing good should I try to have them repair it or just not run the risk and have them amputate it? I'm not really excited about the prospect of having to have her leg removed but I know I have to do what's best for her. Any help you guys can throw my way is much appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 (edited) I would have your vet consult with Dr Jonathan Dyce at Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital asap. Edited June 23, 2017 by tbhounds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiveRoooooers Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 I would have your vet consult with Dr Jonathan Dyce at Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital asap. This. Dr Dyce is the best and was tremendous to have on-board with Aiden's toe amp. Best of luck with Vesta, please keep us updated! Quote Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. Thank you, campers. Current enrollees: Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M, Ebbie, HollyBeeBop (Betty Crocker). Angels: Pal . Segugio. Sorella (TPGIT). LadyBug. Zeke-aroni. MiMi Sizzle Pants. Gracie. Seamie . (Foster)Sweet. Andy. PaddyALVIN!Mayhem. Bosco. Bruno. Dottie B. Trevor Double-Heart. Bea. Cletus, KLTO. Aiden 1-4. Upon reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissy Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 If there is a repair option and you can financially afford two surgeries... I'd do the repair no matter how small the chance of successful healing. You can always amputate the leg later if it doesn't work. I don't think I've ever seen a dog shatter their patella. Saw one split in two one time and we sent that to the ortho to be repaired. But never seen one shattered. Poor girl. Quote Kristie and the Apex Agility Greyhounds: Kili (ATChC AgMCh Lakilanni Where Eagles Fly RN IP MSCDC MTRDC ExS Bronze ExJ Bronze ) and Kenna (Lakilanni Kiss The Sky RN MADC MJDC AGDC AGEx AGExJ). Waiting at the Bridge: Retired racer Summit (Bbf Dropout) May 5, 2005-Jan 30, 2019 Like us on Facebook! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeylasMom Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 I can't imagine trying to let something like that heal on its own. Even if it does I would think she would have issues later. Of course this is my totally uneducated opinion, but in would be seeking a surgical consult with a really good orthopedist. Quote Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart "The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbotaina Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 I would have your vet consult with Dr Jonathan Dyce at Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital asap. Yep. Quote Meredith with Heyokha (HUS Me Teddy) and Crow (Mike Milbury). Missing Turbo (Sendahl Boss), Pancho, JoJo, and "Fat Stacks" Juana, the psycho kitty. Canku wakan kin manipi."Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." - Voltaire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndless Posted July 21, 2017 Author Share Posted July 21, 2017 I can't imagine trying to let something like that heal on its own. Even if it does I would think she would have issues later. Of course this is my totally uneducated opinion, but in would be seeking a surgical consult with a really good orthopedist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndless Posted July 22, 2017 Author Share Posted July 22, 2017 Hey there Greyhound peeps!! Just thought I'd post again about Vesta's shattered knee. We are still in the wait and see mode. I'm really beginning to doubt that this is what we should have done. At the time what our vet said made total sense. He said that the patella was in so many pieces and he was sure that the ligaments and tendons were shredded that there was just not going to be any thing solid to screw, pin or plate any thing else to. The current plan is to allow the patella to heal up and then go in and look at the tendon and ligaments to see what can be done. I've finally been able to figure out how to upload a photo so you guys can see just how bad her patella is. From what I can see it appears that it's in at least 4 pieces. We are going to seek a second opinion next week so now I'm in the position of trying to find an orthopedic vet that's somewhat close to home. I live in Rocky Mount, NC which is approx. 60 miles east of Raleigh, NC. I just hope we're not too late. I'm not feeling too good about my decision right now. I just want my baby girl to get better and get back to playing in the yard with her brother. Any help or advise you can give me is greatly appreciated. If there is a repair option and you can financially afford two surgeries... I'd do the repair no matter how small the chance of successful healing. You can always amputate the leg later if it doesn't work.I don't think I've ever seen a dog shatter their patella. Saw one split in two one time and we sent that to the ortho to be repaired. But never seen one shattered. Poor girl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racindog Posted July 24, 2017 Share Posted July 24, 2017 I am not a vet but if it was me I would be getting her to a bonafide well regarded specialist asap. I would beg, plead or be a pest-whatever it took. Time can ruin optimal recovery chances. I have learned that the local vets like the evet, the reg vet etc., while well meaning, they simply do not know the best course of treatment as a bonafide board certified specialist would. Time could be of the essence. I wouldn't wait. Sending love and positive energy to your girl! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted July 27, 2017 Share Posted July 27, 2017 I've never heard of ANY dog breaking their patella like that, and given this is a greyhound, my first thought would be osteo--but I don't even know if the knee cap is a place that ever occurs. She must be in terrible pain. Sounds like your vet basically told you HE can't fix it, but it's mind boggling that he suggested you do nothing. It cannot possible "heal" in pieces like that. Good luck and I hope it turns out ok. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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