March 2010 - Harley Short
Harley - Crash, Bang, SNAP!
Harley is an 8 month old extremely bouncy and lively Staffie. Unfortunately on Thursday the 25th of March, Harley got a little bit too bouncy and managed to bounce straight under the wheels of a car! His concerned and shocked owners quickly took action and rushed poor little Harley down to the surgery. A vet immediately assessed Harley and his external injuries. His hind left leg had quite obviously sustained a severe trauma, which the vet believed to be a fracture or a dislocation. He also had small wound over his left eye and he was beginning to suffer from hypovolaemic shock.
Harley was admitted, and the nurses placed him on to intravenous fluids, a heat pad and administered pain relief; this would prevent Harleys’ condition deteriorating further. The pain relief was given a short time to take effect before a support bandage was placed onto the injured limb. This would support the leg whilst Harley’s condition was being stabilised over night.
Harley’s temperature, colour and vital signs were closely monitored every 5 minutes, but despite the heat pad, his owners fast actions and shock rate fluids his temperature remained low and he became lethargic and dull.
Later that evening Harley demeanour had significantly improved despite his temperature remaining low. Pain relief was administered throughout the evening along with the intravenous fluids.
By morning Harley’s condition had stabilised and x-rays were taken under general anaesthetic. The X-rays revealed a transverse fracture to the proximal tibia and fibula. A further support bandage was applied to the limb. The vet and Harley’s owners agreed the limb should be operated on the following day.
The orthopaedic procedure consisted of the vet applying a plate over the transverse fracture of the tibia, this would stabilise and compress the fracture. The fibula would not require plating as the tibia, will act as a splint to support the fracture; again a support bandage would be applied to the limb and left in place for three days post op.
Despite sulking and refusing to eat, simply because he wanted permanent cuddles and attention! Harley recovered well from the surgery, with his extreme bouncy and waggy nature shining through
On the Monday Harley was allowed home under strict instructions to be cage rested and to keep bouncing to a minimum. He is improving everyday and seems very unaware of the fact he has just undergone a major fracture repair! It won’t be long until Harley is back doing what Harley’s do best: BOUNCING!
