Dora was abandoned at a veterinary clinic. The staff couldn't bear to euthanize a puppy so they reached out to rescue for help. Dora has already had one surgery to repair her fractured leg. She will have one more surgery 1/29/10 to address the problem with her hip. We expect enormous expenses, and many weeks of recovery and rehab. Update 2/3/10: Dora is doing well after her surgery. The surgeon was unable to save the femoral head so she had a Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO) her rehab started almost immediately while she is still in hospital.
Update 2/16/10: Dora met the vet her foster family uses today. Everyone in the office loved her. She is sweet and personable. Dr. B removed her stitches and says the incision looks great. Her fur is beginning to grow in and she is even able to walk on slippery floors now. She is beginning to put weight on the injured leg and we learned how to do some of her physical therapy exercises. In Two weeks (3/2/10) she will have another set of x-rays to see how the bones look.
Update 2/20/10: Yesterday Dora met her physical therapy team. They took some measurements, showed us range of motion exercises, and explained the best way to walk Dora. After we talked about her history and finished her stretching she went into the water tank. The videos below show Dora's first experience with the underwater treadmill. New pictures have also been added to her growing slide show.
Update 2/25/10: Dora and her foster family would like to thank some very generous donors who have made it possible for CBR R&R to buy a package of sessions with her physical therapist. Miss Dora spent the morning there today and got another good report. Her therapist is using a cold laser to help stimulate healing along with her range of motion exercises and the underwater treadmill. Today Dora did two 4-minute sessions on the treadmill. At the moment she is sound asleep. Her therapy days tire her out and help her to burn off the pent up energy that accumulates due to crate rest on non-therapy days. Monday 3/1 is another therapy day and on Tuesday 3/2 we'll have new x-rays. Sorry, no new pictures today.
Update 3/5/10:
As of 3/2/10, it has been 4 weeks since Dora's second surgery at the Orthopedic Specialist in Florida. It takes approximately 12 weeks for a fracture to heal properly. We are expecting Dora's femur to be healed in early May. Her activity continues to be carefully monitored and though she is allowed more exercise, she is still restricted to her crate most of the time so that the pelvis can heal. At this time absolutely no running, jumping, excessive activity or playing with other animals is permitted. Total recovery from the FHO surgery can take 4 to 6 months. For this reason Dora's new home will have to have the resources, commitment and a rehab facility available to see that her rehab stays on track.
At this time we are doing exercises at home with her several times each day and she sees her physical therapist twice a week. As of today Dora is permitted to take slow, controlled leash walks for about 10 minutes each 2 or 3 times a day. Dora's therapist has directed us to walk slow in a large figure 8 pattern so that Dora uses her right rear leg. Dora is a good sport about it all and improves with each visit to therapy.
Upon her vet's recommendation Dora will be placed in a single dog home.
Final Update
4/1/10: Dora has been adopted and placed with her forever family. She is an only dog and lives near the water. She will go to work with her new owner most days and will have continued access to physical therapy and excellent care.
