Second surgery complete for “Chocolate”
Feb 11, 2008 8:00pm
Pullman - “Chocolate,” the Chesapeake Bay retriever suffering with multiple,
old front leg fractures is out of surgery tonight. The nearly six hour long
procedure at WSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital focused on the dog’s right
leg which had suffered the worst injuries.
“We were able to do what we wanted,” said WSU veterinary orthopedic surgeon
Dr. Steve Martinez. “We installed a metal plate to help stabilize the bone,
and worked to repair the dislocated elbow.” The most difficult part of the
procedure involved rotating the right broken front leg 90-degrees back into
its proper alignment.
The dog underwent a nearly 5 hour procedure last Friday to help repair old
breaks that had healed improperly in his left front leg. Dr. Martinez said
that procedure was a great success, and that Chocolate’s bandages can be
removed to begin physical therapy almost immediately.
Chocolate is resting comfortably tonight in WSU’s Veterinary Teaching
Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit where he will receive around the clock care.
Last Edited: Jul 30, 2008 12:43 PM
