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My basic info
Breed
Boxer
Color
Tan/Yellow/Fawn - with Black
Age
Young
Size
Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg) (when grown)
Weight
–
Sex
Female
Pet ID
–
My details
Purebred
Shots current
Spayed / Neutered
My story
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Here's what the humans have to say about me:
08/12/10: Daisy Has Endured Pain For the Last Two Years
Daisy was surrendered by her family who could not afford her continued medical care. The problem started 2 years ago when Daisy had an issue with the Anterior Cruciate Ligament in her left rear leg. To save money her family opted to have their primary vet do her ACL surgery instead of going to an orthopedic surgeon. This is a good time to remind people that a second opinion is worthwhile and, if surgery proves to be the only option, a board certified specialist is worth the expense as you will read.
Three months after Daisy’s FIRST surgery was done in 2008, her ligament began to fail once again. The doctor said that the nylon sutures ripped out of the bone, and recommended replacing the sutures with a screw to help stabilize her knee.
After the SECOND surgery Daisy’s knee became badly infected. Then the vet decided another surgery was needed to remove the screw.
Shortly after the THIRD surgery the incision opened up. A culture of the infection determined that Daisy had developed a MRSA staff infection which is contagious and can be deadly. She was prescribed antibiotics to clear the infection but her knee has been a problem ever since. Poor Daisy has been trying to cope with this ongoing problem for TWO YEARS and the surgeries have rendered her leg useless.
When NBR received the call recently asking for our help the incision in Daisy’s leg had opened once again and she was dealing with a bout of pancreatitis. Her family felt they had no choice but to euthanize her since they could no longer handle the medical bills or the emotional roller coaster.
Our primary focus was to try and save Daisy’s leg. We took her into rescue and made an appointment with a well respected orthopedic specialist. The doctor’s exam revealed that the last three surgeries left Daisy with the inability to use her leg. Essentially, the repair was too tight and would not allow her leg to be extended or get complete range of motion. This caused her hamstrings to be contracted and her muscles to atrophy. Radiographs confirmed that there was no cartilage left in the knee. It was bone scraping on bone which is very painful. The joint also showed severe osteoarthritis.
The orthopedic surgeon felt that there were some possible options they could try to save Daisy’s leg, but none of them were an easy fix or a certainty. If the doctors were to attempt to do a repair it would require staged surgical intervention; basically multiple surgeries.
The first step (which would be Daisy’s FOURTH surgery) would be to remove all of the implants that were in the knee, do an arthroscopic procedure to clean her joint, and pack her joint with an antibiotic gel. They would also take a culture of the infection.
This would leave Daisy’s joint completely unstable and she would have to have a casting (and be fitted ) for a custom stifle brace which would only be removed at night. She would also require extensive rehabilitation.
Once the doctor’s felt everything was under control (no infection, healed bone etc) they would attempt to do a TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) which would be Daisy’s FIFTH surgery. However….they would not know if the TPLO was even a possibility until her knee was opened up. Should the TPLO not be an option, the next step would be a total knee replacement. The doctor said he would fly a specialist in from Texas to perform surgery. Even if surgery was successful, Daisy would require many months of intensive physical therapy.
Daisy has suffered for two years after three unsuccessful surgeries. We did a lot of research, spoke to numerous medical professionals, and debated long and hard whether to subject her to two or three additional surgeries plus months of grueling rehabilitation or simply remove her leg. The doctor did another culture of her leg which came back as positive once again for MRSA. We decided to call the specialist in Texas to get his opinion and then the decision became clear.
We were told that the chances of surgery being a success was minimal at best due to the ongoing MRSA infection, and that he doubted he would agree to do the surgery given Daisy‘s circumstances. The consensus was that the best solution for Daisy would be to amputate her leg.
Daisy has been in a foster home and is an incredibly wonderful sweet girl. She gets along with two small dogs who live with her, and is sweet and loving. Daisy needs to turn the page to a new chapter in her life without any pain.
Surgery will be scheduled after tests to make sure she is healthy enough to undergo the procedure. We will have another update as soon as we hear more. Please keep Daisy in your thoughts and prayers.
Can you donate to help
Daisy?
You can send a check directly to: Northeastern Boxer Rescue
P.O. Box 95 Sunderland MA 01375. or use PayPal
Jane Scott - janescott@boxerrescue.com
Pam Fosco - pam@boxerrescue.com
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