More bad news on our home front! Dime our GSP age 4 was hit by a car, having run off after a squirrel or rabbit. She has been transferred to an orthopaedic hospital and is now undergoing spinal surgery. She has compression fracture of the vertebrae and damage to the ligament in her hock which also needs surgery but she may not be well enough for both ops today as she also has a pneumothorax. Even if she survives surgery they cannot tell at this stage whether or not she will be incontinent. She is not paralised but there could still be some nerve damage. Has anyone else any experience of these sort of injuries?
Depending what they find with the hock, she may have to have pins in her leg(external) to hold the hock in place until healing takes place. Our insurance covers upto £5000 but the initial estimate is £4000 plus vat without any unexpected problems.
You may remember that Hannah lost her poodle recently. Dime is Hannahs dog for flyball and agility. Life is such a bitch!! Where is the justice in all this!! Worst of all the driver did not even stop. the vet says her injuries were caused by a vehicle at fairly high speed . The accident was actually in a spot where traffic calming has just been installed because a child was hit recently. Wonder if the driver would have stopped if he had hit a child! I doubt it!

Sue

Hi Sue

Sad to hear about Dime's accident - hope she comes though the ops okay

Christine

. You have a heartbreaking few months ahead of you and some backbreaking work .I pray you and Dime get through it . love and best wishes Mari

Oh Sue,
You are certainly going through it just now, I do hope Dime comes through OK . I will be thinking of you all esp poor Hannah she's certainly had it tough lately.
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} to you all and keep us updated
Anne

Hi Sue

Fingers crossed for a full and speedy recovery. Poor dog :(

Hi Sue

I am terribly sorry to hear about your poor girls accident, I hope the surgery goes well and that Dime will be home real soon. Thinking about you at this tough time.
Regards
Karen

Poor Sue and Hannah - do hope Dime comes through alright - these accidents make you sick to your stomach, don't they?
Was just pulling up in front of a friend's house last week when hers was hit (not my me) so know just how awful it is.

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

:(
Oh Sue what awful news. :(
Best wishes to you, Hannah & Dime.
Nicky x

Sue, I can't believe your luck at the moment :-(
I hope that Dime is ok, please let us know how she goes.

Hope it all works out for you & Dime

Sue

What a time you've had in the last few months, and how awful for little Hannah, not to mention the dog...

(((((HUGS)))))))

and best wishes to you all...

Natasha

Have everything crossed that it's good news for Dime, thinking of you. Ingrid

Thanks folks for all your kind words. It really has helped me.
So far so good. She has had the op to put her spine back together and the vet is pleased with how things went. However she was struggling with the anaesthetic (3 and 1/2 hours) and had to go on a ventilator so they did not repair her hock. He hopes to do that op on wednesday or thursday if she makes good progress. there is a chance if all goes well she may come home at the weekend but will need lots of after care.(this is where my nurse training comes in!) She won't be able to walk for a while but they will instruct me what to do. Hope I am not jumping the gun in feeling more positive. We still have a long way to go. I just love her so much. You should not have favourites but there is just something a bit special about Dime. Will keep aayou all posted

Oh poor Dime.:( Hope things go OK.
<<<<<< Big Hugs to all >>>>>>
Dot

Oh poor Dime, Hannah and you:(
Wishing Dime a speedy recovery:)

Sue, glad Dime is doing well so far. Fingers tight crossed for her, and hope your luck looks up soon.

all the best.i be thinking of her,

thinking of you both too Gina xxxx

Dime is starting to improve. She is walking with support but at the moment there is no news of her ability to control her bladder or bowel movements. This can apparently take a few weeks to confirm. She is due for surgery again today to repair her hock.
Has anyone else knowledge of what to expect long term with these sort of injuries?
Sue

Sue,
I know that everything is up in the air at the moment, but once you have stabilized Dime and have some idea of the 'damage', you may find that Hydrotherapy could be just what the vet ordered :-)

I have included a link to a pool in Nottingham, but I am sure that you will have one closer to you if you decide that it might help Dime to recover:

Canine Hydrotherapy Centre

It doesn't hurt to think ahead :-)

Hi Sue,

So sorry to hear about Dime,proayers and best wishes coming you and dimes way.

Hope he makes a full recovery.

Bfn

Pam

Sue,

Best wishes to you, your Daughter and Dime at this horrible time.

Theresa

Oh Sue how dreadful for you and Poor Dime I hope she comes through OK. poor you both. Have tears for you. Molly sends you lots of licks and I send you my thoughts. Keep strong xxx Julieann xxxx

UPDATE
She has had the second op on her hock now and may come home tomorrow. She has external pins and a plate in situ for 8/10 weeks. Afetr a few weeks, the hinge will be loosened and I will have to start passive movements. She is going to need lots of follow up and it is likely I can add another £1000 on top of initial treatment. (Who needed Xmas anyway!)
The whole thing is such a worry, especially as other half has redundancy hanging over his head at the moment.
Dime is still leaking urine but we have to see how her control goes. I can't wait to get her home but admit i am abit daunted by the task ahead.
Sue

Sue,
I wish you the best of luck and am glad to hear that Dime is doing not too bad, I think all you can do is take each day as it comes and I know you will do your best for her. Remember keep us updated and I'm sure we'll all be thinking about all of you.
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
Anne

lots of wags of tail from Molly to Dime to wish you better soon. xx

Just a quick update...Dime came home yesterday, she has 11 pins in her leg. The only excercise she is aloud is to the toilet and back. She has to go back for a check up in two weeks ,but she is really happy to be home.

Sue

Hi I am glad she is home. She should get better and better now :)

Gina x

wish you a speedy recovery Dime xxxxxxx Lots of licks from Molly and hugs from me xxxxx Julieann

Glad things are still progressing
Anne

That's great news Sue.. :D

Hi Sue,
Just wondering how Dime is doing?
Anne

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