Meet Miss Misty!!
Miss Misty at
a recent Pet Expo - Won't you please help me get my surgery??
I can stand
for a bit... but I get by with a little helping knee from my friends!
Happy Update from Sue and DDR: Misty's surgeons were very please with the outcome of her surgery even though they didn't immediately see the results of increased mobility in her leg. She is still undergoing PT and has now been fitted with a brace that should complete the stretching she needs in her leg muscles! Keep those positive thoughts coming and your support coming in for this little trooper! Here's Misty receiving ultrasound therapy and relaxing with her BFF while wearing her brace.
Miss Misty and
her BFF Miss MinMin!
Here's Sue's update in her own words!
May 2, 2009 "We have been working with Misty's leg at home as well as taking her twice weekly for PT with the specialists.
This Tuesday when we went for her appointment I was really concerned with the tightness in her muscles, and so was the PT and the vet, so we decided to have her stay Tuesday-Friday so they could anesthetize her to do some aggressive stretches. While the vet was pleased with her hip extension - something she did not have before - the muscles along the femur were not what they had been despite our efforts the past two weeks. =(
The good news is her splint finally arrived and they were able to get it on her starting Wednesday. This will help to stretch those muscles and it is our best chance of keeping these muscles stretched. Today she wore it for four hours and we will continue to increase the time she wears the splint by an hour each day. We will also periodically tighten the tension to help stretch the muscles.
Here
is the link for the web site in case anyone is ever in need of something like
this: http://www.dynasplint.com/division/veterinary.php
They have wonderful customer service and have been amazingly helpful.
Luckily, the DynaSplint rep was in the area yesterday, so when I went to pick up Misty we planned the time around the rep's schedule and she was able to adjust it properly on our sweet baby girl while I was there. It is a complicated little instrument, but I think I have it figured out.
We will periodically return for check ups with her physical therapist and I'm hopeful this will help. =))
Our poor girl has been through so much and I'm glad to have her back home again.
Our bills for her PT are pretty huge, so we will sincerely appreciate any donations that come our way to help with her sessions as well as her extended stay this week. We also will have another payment to make for her splint in a month... We are eternally grateful for those who have given thus far - we could have never provided such wonderful care for her without your help! Thank you so very much for your generosity!!
Her leg definitely bends way more than it ever did before and the pain seems to lessen as time goes by - also, she seemed to be returning to her normal self more this past week... so, we have many things to be grateful for despite the disappointment with the muscles along the femur.
I have attached a few photos from her ultrasound therapy session this past Tuesday. As you can see, she is so used to this she practically falls asleep. Also a few photos of her splinted leg - one with her BFF my Min Pin Min Min. She has been such a trooper throughout all of this... never a growl or a snap... nothing. She is such a good girl!!
Please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers... she's had such a tough road for such a young girl.
Thank you all again for your continued support... we have no idea what we would do without your help! Misty sends her Dobergirl crackle kisses to each and every one of you!
Sue
S. Szyklinski
www.ddrinc.net"
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Misty's previous owners said she fell off of a porch, but the injuries didn't fit the scenario, so it remains a mystery how Misty, as a mere 8 week old puppy, sustained her severe injuries. However, a wonderful vet in MS performed reconstructive surgery on both of Misty's back legs and sent her home with prospects of a complete recovery. Unfortunately Misty's owners were negligent and did not follow through with proper post-surgical care. Severe infection set into her left hind leg, and sadly, it was necessary to amputate it. The story worsens. At some point the pin came out of her right hind leg and she needed another procedure. Again, her owners did not provide the proper post-op care or physical therapy needed for her existing leg to be functional. Now little Misty can barely get around. She will scoot around on her hind end or use her leg more like a peg than an actual functioning leg. It appears her knee cap has fused to the bone in her leg making it impossible for the leg to bend. The story continues...
Months after Misty's remaining hind leg healed improperly, her owners took her back to the vet clinic stating Misty was not happy at their house and they no longer could keep her! Little Misty found herself homeless and in need of care for her leg. When Sue Szyklinski of Distinguished Doberman Rescue in PA heard Misty's story she immediately said they would take her. Misty has visited orthopedic specialist Dr Jonathon Anderson of Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center (PVSEC). She will once again need surgery. Dr Anderson said Misty needs a FHO procedure. During that surgery he will attempt to break down any adhesions between the quadriceps muscle group and the femur. She will also require aggressive physical therapy after the surgery.
This little girl deserves so much more than she has gotten in her young life, and Sue, Distinguished Doberman Rescue and SND intend on making it happen. The rescue is actively raising funds (see Misty in her wagon with two collection buckets attached), but DDR needs our help so Misty is able to have her surgery and begin living a pain free life. We applaud your efforts on her behalf DDR Angels!! You are the true heroes of Doberman Rescue!
Any donation you can send will help Misty have her surgery. We thank you in advance and so very much appreciate your support of our SND cases. You can help now by sending in a tax-deductible donation using the Paypal button or by mailing one in No amount is too small to help this precious DobeGirlie and DDR get her the help she needs. Thank you so much for your time and thanks again for your support of dear Miss Misty!
