Chocolate to undergo surgery on Monday: May 2, 2008
Chocolate, a stray Chesapeake Bay retriever from the Tri-Cities will undergo
surgery on Monday to correct persistent problems in his front left leg.
After a full assessment at WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Chocolate’s
team of caregivers have decided that a corrective osteotomy on Chocolate’s
left forelimb will give him the best chance for success. “We’re trying to
improve the function of his left forelimb to match the right forelimb” said
Dr. Steve Martinez, veterinary orthopedic surgeon at WSU’s Veterinary
Teaching Hospital. “Even though he’s making great strides in improving his
strength and muscle build-up, we think we can help him regain more function
in his forelimbs.”
In recent weeks, Chocolate has made great strides in his rehabilitation. The
team has even modified his regime to include more natural activities, such
as chasing his ball, instead of walking him with the use of a sling. “He
has shown tremendous improvements this last month in using his front legs
again,” said Dr. Martinez. “Unfortunately, his left front leg continues to
rotate slightly outward. Surgery is now the best option for him.”
Chocolate’s rehabilitation is growing closer to completion. In recent weeks,
he has become more at ease around other dogs, and continues to grow
friendlier to people with each passing day. Depending on his recovery from
Monday’s surgery, the WSU team is hopeful Chocolate may be released as soon
as early June.
May 6: Chocolate’s surgery a success!
A second surgery on Chocolate, a stray Chesapeake
Bay retriever from the Tri-Cities is being hailed as a success at
Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
The WSU veterinary surgical team performed a corrective osteotomy on
Chocolate’s left forelimb to help him be able to use the leg more
correctly. “Chocolate’s mobility problem stems from his old
fractures,” said WSU veterinary surgeon Dr. Steve Martinez. “The old
breaks in his radius and ulna bones of his left forelimb had fused
into one, and kept him from putting his paw flat on the ground.”
During the 4 hour surgery, the WSU Team was able to correct that
problem.
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Chocolate enjoys some sun while icing down his leg with WSU Veterinary
Student Sara Manthey |
“This was a key step towards helping Chocolate to regain reasonable
use of front legs for walking again,” said Dr. Martinez.
The next step for Chocolate will be a few days of rest, before
resuming his rehabilitation schedule. This involves some stretching, some
time outside when it’s nice, and ice to help ease any swelling, along with
proper pain medication. The WSU Team is watching the surgical site closely
to ensure its healing properly. 4th year veterinary student Sara Manthey
says Chocolate’s surgery went well, adding “I can’t wait to see him walking
again.”
If all goes as planned, Chocolate should be able to resume his
rehabilitation next week. “Until then, he still needs lots of love and
care. Our team of committed veterinarians, veterinary technicians, staff,
and students are certainly providing all of that and more here at WSU” said
Dr. Martinez. Adding that he remains optimistic that Chocolate may be able
to be released from care in early June.
May 20: Chocolate resumes his rehabilitation
After
recovering from a second leg surgery, Chocolate, a stray Chesapeake Bay
retriever from the Tri-Cities has resumed his rehabilitation regime at
Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
“As we had hoped for, the last surgery appears to have improved his ability
to use his left fore leg for walking,” said WSU veterinary orthopedic
surgeon Dr. Steve Martinez. “He now has a much improved alignment in his
left fore leg, which is a key step towards his ability to regain forelimb
function to a reasonable degree.”
Chocolate has now returned to the underwater treadmill for about 5 minutes a
session, for a couple of sessions a week. In between there are his usual
walks outside. “We don’t yet have him playing chase the ball,” said WSU
veterinary physical therapist Lori Lutskas. “We’re gradually having him put
weight back on his left leg.”
“We’re back on schedule for Chocolate’s rehabilitation,” said Dr. Martinez,
adding “if he continues to make progress like this, he could be released
early next month.”
