Hiro has to have surgery

Hiro saw a specialist at OSU vet hospital for an ongoing leg injury. The results are that he has a problem with his achilles tendon. It does not sit deep enough in the groove in the bone. As a result, it slips out of place and causes him pain. He will have to have surgery to correct this. It is hopeful when they get in there that they will just have to put a couple of sutures over top of the tendon to hold it down. there is normally a fibrous band that holds it down and he most likely tore it. Worst case they also have to deepen the groove in the bone. A fully recovery is expected after the surgery and he will be able to return to his normal active life. On a side note, he was very popular with the hospital staff. They all fell in love with him and were amazed how good he was. Because this is not a normal injury they see, pretty much the entire vet student class got to examine him as well as all 3 ortho vets. They were great with him and made sure he had a very pleasant experience. They can't wait for him to come back and have his surgery.

Comments

  • Poor Hiro hope he heals up soon.
  • Poor boy. I had a foster (Akita) with a luxating patella. Its not a cheap surgery. :( Please have them check his other other leg. Luxation is typically genetic and bilateral - especially when caused by shallow grooves rather than an injury.
  • They think it is more a case of him tear the little piece that hold the tendon down rather than a shallow groove. They might deepen the groove just to be safe while they are in there. The head vet checked the other leg and felt it was fine. He thought is was a rather fluke injury. It happened as he came out of his cage one day. It was possible he had gotten his leg caught or something since he likes to sleep on his back. The cost of the surgery is not bad. A lot less than I expected and a lot less than the other facility in Columbus that will do it. Just not at a great time seeing how I just paid my taxes.
  • edited April 2012
    That stinks. I hope he heals up quick.
  • Waw...I hope he feels better soon and that the surgery goes well. I feel you (with regards to taxes), I had to pay a lot this year! :(
  • That really sucks, and sounds horribly painful. Poor thing. :o(
  • I've been on fb waiting for an update. I just thought to check here. I'm sorry that he's in pain but I'm glad that it sounds like it can all be solved and he can get back to a normal life! That's great news!
  • edited April 2012
    I'm sorry to hear this too. Bel had surgery for luxating patella and a torn ACL last spring, and it was both pricey, painful, and a very long recovery time. She's now almost completely back to her previous activity level and doesn't limp, but she still can't sit comfortably, poor girl.

    So I hope Hiro makes it through this as smoothly as possible!
  • It's great that you found the reason for the pain. Good luck with the surgery :).
  • Poor boy! I hope he makes a speedy recovery.
    Snf
  • I am sorry to hear that it happened because of an injury (poor boy!) but its good that its not bilateral. Hopefully the surgery will be successful and he'll have complete recovery.
  • Poor Hiro. Glad to hear that the vet staff feels he will make a full recovery.

    Keep us updated!
  • Thanks everyone. He was very sore last night from all the exams. Down side of a teaching hospital, plus add in that it is not a common injury. I think every vet student examined him. He d=was very mad at me and wanted nothing to do with me last night. I gave him some pain meds, and he finally came and slept in his usual spot next to me last night. He is in a much better mood today. Just have to keep him quiet until I can get things worked out to get him the surgery.
  • oh no.. poor thing. I feel so bad for him and you. Maybe someone else can take him in so they can be mad at them instead.. If he was closer I would be the bad guy for you..I'm sorry.Did they give him pain meds?
  • How is Hiro doing?
  • He has pain meds for his bad days. Today was a really good day for him. He has been playing with Ren and Kazue all day without any limping. Just gotta keep him from over doing it for a few more weeks until I can get the money together for the surgery. He had forgiven me by the next morning and has been his usual cuddly self. he swelling at the point of the hock has gone down which is a good thing. There is a fluid filled sac there that cushions the achilles, it was inflamed. With the swelling in that sac going down, it helps the achilles stay in place better.
  • Liquid yucca helps with swelling. Don'taugh at me. It works!
  • Hope he heals up soon.
  • MSM helps too
  • Well, I had been putting off surgery for Hiro as I just did not have the money. He has been on cage rest and was taking pain meds as needed. I am probably going to jinx it by saying this, but hire has been completely sound for 2 weeks now. The swelling in the joint is gone and he has full range of motion. I have been letting play more and more on leash while outside and also letting him play with the pups in the pen. For the past 2 days he has been playing pretty hard in the house with Tora and the pups and has remained sound the whole time. I am going to continue to slowly let him increase his activity level and see how it goes. I was talking with my vet the other day when I had the girls in for their rabies shot and he seemed to agree the best bet was to hold off on surgery for now. It is possible that the swelling at the point of the hock was causing the tendon to not sit in the groove properly and slip out. Now that the swelling is gone, the tendon is sitting in the correct position. Fingers crossed that this is the answer and surgery will not be needed. I hate to open the joint up if we don't have to. I know from personal experience, once you cut everything around it, it is never as strong as it originally was.
  • Oh, that's a good turn of events- I hope Hiro stays strong on his leg!
    no jinxing! Im knocking on wood for you... :)
  • Yay! So glad to hear it! Hope it stays that way! I know it's an option with ACL tears, to just keep them off it and see if it will repair itself, but never had anyone try it, so glad to hear it can work!
  • Oh! That's great news :o) I hope he stays sound and doesn't have to go through the surgery! Yay!
  • The past 2 weekends Hiro has gone out to the farm to run and play. He has remained sound through it all. At home he has been a happy, bouncy boy that has not taken a wrong step in some time. Everything is looking good at this point, but I will keep a close eye on things. The swelling is gone and has not returned.

    DSCF0633
  • Yea! Great news!!!! :)
  • Oh thank goodness!!!! I'm happy for you both.
  • That is awesome news! (sorry, I am so late to this...)

    Glad to hear that things are going so well. I hope they continue to do so. :)
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