My worst fear has now become reality

[Scarlette]

Mirra broke her leg this afternoon about 3pm. I had her on her tie out and was carrying her crate around the side of the house for a good scrub and hose down. She was at the very end of her tie out and bouncing on her back legs barking at me. I heard something snap and she let out an ear piercing scream. I ran over to her and she didn't want me touching her and she was favoring her back left leg. I knew right away it was broken so I called the vet and took her in.

I was ticked off from the start. First off, my usual vet wasn't there, second of all, they were taking dogs into the back for routine shots while Mirra and I sat out in the waiting area for 45 minutes before they took us in. They KNEW why we were there, yet apparently a broken leg isn't serious enough to be taken ahead of pets in need of vaccinations.

The vet that was there in place of my vet was kind of clueless. Thank GOD for the vet tech that was there! Anyway, the first x-rays showed nothing, so poor Mirra had to go through the pain of moving the leg around for another set of x-rays. Sure enough, it's broken between the hip and knee.

My worst fear has now become a reality. Mirra needs surgery and for those of you familiar with the Riley situation, I am traumatized forever. Not only does she need surgery, we need to go to a specialist 3 1/2 hours away for a plate and screws to be put in. The soonest we can get into the specialist is Thursday and they're going to try to get the cardiologist to see her on the same day for my own piece of mind. I told them my whole story about Riley and they understood and will try to work the schedule to fit me in, no promises though.

Jeff's brother is yelling at us saying it's cruel to make her wait until Thursday to be seen. What the heck am I supposed to do? I had to personally call around to find an orthopedic vet because the vet filling in for my vet was completely clueless and no help. It's bad enough that I'm sobbing my eyes out not wanting to do the surgery thing, feeling horrible for Mirra, now I have him jumping down my throat. Just what I don't need! It's not like I called there and they said "Bring her in tomorrow" and I said "Naw, lets make her wait until Thursday!" Sheesh! I did the best I could considering I don't have a downstate phone book to look up all of the specialists.

I tried to switch my schedule so I could be home tomorrow with her. She's already chewing at the temporary splint. No one will switch with me and now it will be obvious if I call in sick tomorrow. Jeff will be here in the afternoon to sit with her, so hopefully she will sleep in the morning after I give her another pain pill.

Please keep Mirra in your thoughts and prayers. I'm so scared right now and I can't stop crying. I keep thinking the same will happen to her as what happened with Riley.

[Scarlette]

Ya know, I very rarely call in sick to work. If this were someone's actual human child, no one would have a problem with it. Well, this is MY child so I said the heck with it and just called in saying I need to take a personal day. They weren't happy, but oh well. Mirra needs me to be home with her tomorrow! Wednesday is covered because my mom will be here in the morning and Jeff will be here in the afternoon. I feel a little better now.

[Trickiesmurf]

oh hon I will keep Mirra in my thoughts and prayers. I hope everything turns out ok.

[Padfoot]

<hugs> I'll keep Mirra in my thoughts and prayers too.

[Jade]

*huge hugs* You're in my thoughts and prayers, hon. I'm so sorry! I'd have called off too!

What pain meds is she on? Do you have an e-collar to keep her from chewing at the splint?

Here's a list of orthopedic specialists in MI, not sure where they are in relation to you:
Terry D. Braden, DVM, MS , Diplomate ACVS 1975
Address: Michigan State University
College of Veterinary Med
Veterinary Clinical Center
East Lansing, Michigan 48824**USA
Office Telephone: (517) 353-5420 ** Office Fax: (517) 355-5164

Wade O. Brinker, DVM, MS , Diplomate ACVS 1965
Address: Michigan State University
College of Veterinary Med
Veterinary Clinical Ctr
East Lansing, Michigan 48824**USA

Charles E. DeCamp, DVM, MS , Diplomate ACVS 1986
Address: Michigan State University
College of Veterinary Med
Veterinary Med Ctr
East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1314**USA
Office Telephone: (517) 353-7867 ** Office Fax: (517) 355-5164

Loic M. Dejardin, DVM, MS , Diplomate ACVS 1998
Address: Michigan State University
College of Veterinary Medicine
East Lansing, Michigan 48824**USA
Office Telephone: (517) 432-5526 ** Office Fax: (517) 355-5164

Kei Hayashi, DVM, PhD , Diplomate ACVS, Small Animal Surgery 2004
Address: Michigan State University
Dept of Small Animal Clinical Sciences
Veterinary Med Ctr
East Lansing, Michigan 48823**USA
Office Telephone: (517) 355-6570 ** Office Fax: (517) 355-5164

Curtis W. Probst, DVM , Diplomate ACVS 1985
Address: Michigan State University
College of Veterinary Med
Veterinary Med Ctr D208
East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1314**USA
Office Telephone: (517) 355-6570 ** Office Fax: (517) 355-5164


Please feel free to call me if you need to chat.

[Chrisanne]

aww hon, I am so sorry. I would have called in sick too. I will keep you and Mirra in my thoughts and prayers.

[beansale]

Wow, that's horrible. I hope she's okay, and I will be sending strength and healing thoughts your way.

[RSbunny]

I'm so sorry Rhonda. I think you have every right to call in a personal day. I know you are going to but try not to stress yourself out about the actual surgery. Mirra isn't Riley, and I know this is the first op since Riley so it's going to be hard no matter what but we are all here for you. I'll be thinking of you and I'll keep you and Mirra in my thoughts. Don't feel guilty about Mirra waiting until Thursday for surgery, if it's the earliest you can get her in then there is nothing else you can do. Take care and keep us updated.

[Brittney]

Aww...poor Mirra! I'm so sorry. I'll be praying.

[Amethystbelle]

I'm so sorry, i'll keep Mirra in my thoughts

[Scarlette]

Thanks for the list Steph. We're going to see Dr. Kerstetter in South Field. He's part of the Michigan Veterinary Specialists. The only reason I had that number was because that was the number my vet gave me to see the cardiologist when I got Mirra. This vet hospital is about 20 minutes away from Jeff's parents house so we're going to stay there until everything is done and she's ready to come home.

I had to take Mirra back to the vet this morning. She hadn't went pee for 17 hours and I was getting a bit concerned, plus I gave her a pain pill (Rimadyl 50mg) at 4:30 am and she was still whining and groaning at 6:30am. The vet gave me some Torbugesic injections to give her every 2-6 hours along with the Rimadyl tablets. Plus I got an e-collar to put on her so she won't chew on her bandage when she's alone for a few hours tomorrow.

I didn't think she would be comfortable in her crate last night so we both slept on the living room floor.....well, I shouldn't say that we really slept. She slept for a few hours off and on and I think I slept for a total of 1 hour...which consisted of 15 minute naps. I look and feel like a zombie. She had a pain shot and is resting comfortably in her large day time cage right now. Oh, and the little bugger finally went pee when we got home, so that's one thing off of my mind.

[ninja_smurtles]

Sorry to hear about Mirra.
I hope everything goes well on Thursday and I will be thinking of you all.

[dragonmaster]

I'm sorry to hear that she is hurt. I will keep her in my thoughts and cros my fingers for the best outcome.

[fstybrat]

OMG Rhonda I am soo soo sorry ... I REFUSE to promise everything is ok... that kicked me in the behind last time & I still live with the guilt. BUT I WILL pray VERY HARD that things will be fine.

Why is it when things start to look better something like this happens. I love you Rhonda... keep your chin up, you have other things to deal with as well that you need to be strong & in focus for. Hang in there hon & you KNOW if you need anything at all... CALL ME!!! (I will try to get to your email tonight also)

More your way for you & my wittle baby Mirra.

[Denise]

Rhonda, I offer you my utmost support, thoughts, and prayers for you and Mirra. I can only imagine how you are feeling right now. It is horrible when an animal gets sick or is injured because they are so helpless. I also understand why you are fearful of her having surgery.

I am keeping you and Mirra on my mind and pray everything goes smoothly.