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Little Miss Hannah is 5 mo. old city Airedale. We got a call from Holly Salzman (manager and Vet Tech Taylor Ranch Veterinary Clinic: Rob Dana, DVM) where they diagnosed Hannah with an avulsion fracture of the tibia crest. When they couple was told the cost of repairing the fracture they elected to euthanize. Holly being very rescue savvy found SWAT and called us. The couple surrendered Hannah to the Clinic and later that afternoon rescue volunteer Dorothy met Holly and Hannah at the Veterinary Surgery Specialists of New Mexico where she was evaluated and scheduled for surgery the next day with Peter Schwarz, DVM. Dr. Schwarz has been orthopedic salvation to several SWAT Rescue dogs so we knew Hannah was in good hands. Taylor Ranch Veterinary Clinic donated the x-rays done initially and for referral to the Surgery Clinic. A big thanks to Holly and Dr. Dana for saving this pup. |
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05/14/08
It has been busy here at the Duff's 'Dale Dude Ranch in the mountains of New Mexico, but here is the Hannah update Hannah is all Airedale....so you can imagine how much fun it is to keep her from running, jumping etc. She seems to feel more feisty every day and we had a cool front move through and all the dogs are running around nuts and she can't. But she is learning and as we speak she is asleep by the computer. We had a scary moment last week. We removed the pain patch (Fentanyl) and she started licking on the leg where the patch was . They has assured me that they would be so little of the drug left in the patch that there was no risk. But almost immediately she started breathing fast, her tail went down and there was an obvious "depressed" demeanor. I rushed to our regular vet and we stared at her for 45min (after checking vitals). Here breathing relaxed and with in an hour she was back to her spry little self. The bandage change was uneventful but again it was emphasized that she needed exercise but no jumping. Try to explain this to a pup who loves to put her front paws on everything.. So we have been clicker training...sit....down...stay....4 paws on the ground. Fortunately she will eat anything offered to we can keep her mentally occupied with training basics using only kibble. Hannah is making progress on the other basics like potty training (which she had not learned). She now has a special place in the yard where she pees on command. She is getting use to the crate but the door is not closed and she is baby gated in a small bathroom. We like to introduce the crate gradually. Overall she is adjusting to our eccentric routines (my husband is retired and I am semi-retired). We have another bandage change on Friday and x-rays to note healing. We will post again a few days Dorothy & Will Ce'sar, Rocket, Sunny, and fosters Colbaire and Hannah 05/16/08 Today Hannah saw Dr. Allen the other veterinary orthopedic specialist and her bandage was removed for good. One of the pins had slipped forward DrAllen pushed it back in (yikes !!) and put one suture just below the pin. Hannah is to remain as quiet as possible and only go out to do her business. 05/17/08 Hannah sacred us last night (the night after the bandage removed). She woke us up crying and would not put weight o the leg at all. We called the clinic and described her behavior and they recommended she go back on the pain medication. Evidently the bandage provided support to the leg and it is not unusual for there to be more pain after it is removed. Also the manipulation of the pin might have had some repercussions. Fortunately I had the necessary medication and she does seem to be feeling more comfortable. 05/22/08 This has been a tough time. She appears very fragile on the leg. We have talked to the clinic several times and they indicated that with out the supportive bandage dogs can be very tender on the injured leg. There is no swelling or redness and no indication that the pin is moving out. But my husband and I are watching her like a hawk and acting like nervous Nellies. 05/26/08 Little Miss Hannah is a pistol. As her pain has diminished her energy has moved up several notches. She would love to play with the other resident 'dales but of course that is a "No No." The pins appeared to have remained in place but she still has quite a limp. We are scheduled to have the hardware removed on Friday and I think they will be doing x-rays to check the healing. Please send Zen that all is OK. Hannah's house training is coming along but sometimes she has to "go" in the middle of the night....and it is not a false alarm. The other night she had her first experience of what it is like when the coyotes travel by our house. Ce?sar is often the first on alert and then all the dogs start in howling. After the howling stopped I tried to take Hannah out for a quick pee but she could still hear the coyotes. Her tail was down and she just wanted to return to the safety of all her big brothers and sister (and foster parents). She is very curious and will sneak up to explore unfamiliar objects (like a new hat). When being her fiercest she lets out a deep growly bark....more masculine that a couple of the boys here. She has settled into a routine and does not fuss as much when she is gated away form everyone else. She is still a typical Airedale pup but she may be getting the idea that keeping her paws sown is GOOD. We have raised over $1000 but still not quite half way to covering her expenses. Keep your fingers crossed for a good doc visit on Friday (1/30/08) Dorothy, Will, Hannah and all the furry critters 05/30/08 Everything looks good but she will need to continue restricted exercise (hand walking) for the next two weeks. All the hardware was removed and she has internal and external sutures that need to heal. Hannah felt sore after the procedure and a bit lethargic….not her usual exuberant puppy self. 06/17/08 Sorry this update is so late but things have been buzzing here at Duff’s Dale Dude Ranch. Miss Hannah had her 6 week checkup and can now play with other dogs (with supervision) and can run free in the acre back yard. This girl is so happy …at first she just ran and ran. She is also starting to act like a regular Airedale pup (not hyper…hyper). She is integrated with all the dogs and tends to pester them unmercifully. The vet said some physical therapy (swimming) would be good for her as she still limps and does not have a full range of motion for the injured leg. Her suture area is almost healed which is necessary before she can get in the swim tank. Overall she is doing amazingly well and it makes all our efforts feel rewarded. Most of all we appreciate the financial help which has made her recovery possible. Thanks to all of you who have supported us and sent words of encouragement. We will make at least one more installment as she has her physical therapy and gets ready for adoption. 08/15/08 Well Miss Hannah has become quite the young Airedale female. She has fully recovered from her fracture and runs with abandon with the other Airedales. Growth appears on track and she has probably gained 2" in height...but she will be only slightly larger than average...not huge. Her favorite playmate is Colbaire a 2.5 yr old male.... but she pesters the other boys as well. She shows appropriate respect for our senior female Airedale Sunny and they play a noisey bitey face each day. Hannah has become an excellent house dog for a youngster. Goes to her crate when asked. Uses the doggy door like a champ. Unfortunately she still likes to get up early but will return to her bed while we read the paper. She is very affectionate, super smart and learns very quickly so will need a home that speaks Airedale. She will pay attention to verbal correction but is never intimidated. She does talk back on occasion. Hannah's new family will need to continue training and provide lots of exercise to direct her eagerness in a positive direction. Hannah has learned the Airedale art of retrieving and almost always has something in her mouth. It was interesting to watch as this trait developed. She showed no inclination to retrieve when she was first allowed to play. Hannah loves to eat and never hesitates over meals. She is confident and appears to fear nothing except going outside by herself when the coyotes are howling. In the company of "the boys" she just goes right out and joins in the howling. My husband, Will, and I have really enjoyed this girl...despite the labor intensive work following her surgery. It is a joy to see such a splendid recovery and watch her running and playing with such abandon. she is totally integrated into our household so it will be with a mix of joy and sadness to see her move on to her forever family. But this is what rescue is about. Of course such a happy ending was only possible due to the support of National Airedale Rescue and the wonderful donors who made specific donations to SWAT in Hannah's behalf. Thank you...thank you...Great job everyone!!!! |