After 3 hours of surgery, Ekko is doing fine. Yes, it took longer than expected.
The objective of the surgery was to install a bone plate (8 pin) under the skin. The doctor at Suburban Animal Hospital (Arlington) said that is took longer than expected because there was some dead bone in the center of the leg. He estimates that Ekko broke the leg on or soon after he got away on 8/03/09. He may have been hit by a car and hid while he tried to heal. That is probably why it was difficult to locate him. (It is amazing that he tracked as far as he did with a broken leg.) Unfortunately, the bone started healing, over those four weeks, in the wrong way creating a deformity, or almost an extra joint in the bone. It was not a strong mend. Doing nothing and putting on a cast would have handicapped Ekko for the rest of his life.
The doctor removed about one inch of the bad bone and replaced with a synthetic bone that is better than actual bone. Also a 12-pin bone plate was installed because of the loss of the extra bone. Ekko is resting comfortably with ice on his leg with the help of pain killers at the hospital. He might be home on Monday. The doctor expects him to fully recover in 8-12 weeks.
Many thanks to the many volunteers who put up fliers, distributed business cards, checked feeding stations, helped with the blog, or participated in overnight stakeouts. Many thanks to the people who just kept an eye out for him in the neighborhood. (Special thanks to PureGoldPetTrackers and Dogma Bakery.)
And thanks to the dog rescue volunteers who always carry a leash and snack with them in the car in case they come upon a wandering lost dog to help him find his way home.
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4 comments:
I live near Bluemont Park and had been looking for your lost pup day in and day out everytime I took my dogs for a walk. I'm so happy that Ekko has been found and that you all have been reunited!
I live hundreds of miles away but knew Ekko (the Big Boy) when he was a pup. I have prayed every night for his safe return, just as I prayed that he would find a loving family to give him a permanent home. What an incrediable answer to both prayers. Thank you for giving him that home and thank you for not giving up the search.
So Ekko now has a bionic leg! How cool is that! We are happy to hear the surgery was a success. Ekko, please accept this virtual belly-rub. :)
Poor Ekko. :( But at least he is on the mend and safe!
Thanks for the update, was wondering how it went. So grateful that he made it through surgery okay and that his owner's cared enough to even do the surgery. A very happy ending.
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