Brodie's 2 week check-up

First let me start by saying THANK YOU to all who have already donated to help with Brodie's surgery, we all appreciate it very much. Brodie is doing wonderfully. In fact, I truly don't think he even realizes that he has a leg that has been re-broken and 2 pins through his leg. I am so proud of Brodie and how he is taking this very difficult surgery.
About 1 week or so after his surgery, we started to notice that when he applied weight to his leg, it would still bow out to the right, much like it did prior to the surgery. Our concerns were that either the bone wasn't healing properly or that Brodie may have bent one of the pins in his leg.
Yesterday Brodie spent the day at Dr. Monce's office so he could check him over and see what was going on with the leg. He snapped some xrays, changed Brodie's bandages on his brace and even removed the staples from the incision. When I picked up Brodie last night, I spoke with Dr. Monce and he was very pleased with Brodie's progress. The xrays showed that the bone is still as straight as it was following the surgery. He believes that the ligaments in Brodie's lower leg are likely stretched from his leg being at such a crazy angle prior to the surgery. Otherwise it's GREAT news to hear that Brodie's recovery is going just as we all had hoped. Dr. Monce is going to discuss Brodie's case with the vets at NC State University who have a top notch vet program to see what we will do with the stretched ligaments. He said Broide may just need some physical therapy to help tighten the ligament, possibly a splint of some kind or they may go in and staple the ligament to tighten it so his leg is completely straight again. These are some things we will consider as his progress and recovery continues.
Stephanie and I have had Brodie for about 3 weeks now. This is truly one special little guy. He has gone through this surgery like it was nothing. He is getting to the point now where he can spend time with the other dogs and his face just lights up when he sees them. We still have to be very careful that he doesn't go running and jumping off the furniture but he is at least able to socialize again with the other dogs. It was hard at first having to keep him in his crate so much of the time but it is so important that the leg has a chance to heal and it seems as though it is. I will get some new photos of Brodie up this weekend so be sure to check back and see how well this great little guy is doing!

Surgery update, May 5, 2009

So I had my surgery on April 29, 2009. My temporary foster mommy, Stephanie, dropped me off at the vet in the morning and said she would be back for me. I didn't understand what was going on or why I was being left here. Next thing I know, WOW, PAIN, and LOTS of it. Dr. Monce said this was a "textbook" surgery. All I know is that my leg is straight!!! Appears that he had to go ahead and break the bone, he removed a small part of the bone and then went ahead and re-set it for me. I now have 2 pins in my leg, one above the break and one below it. He told me he did this so the weight will be shifted to the pins, down the apparatus which is wrapped in blue, and down to the bottom part of my foot. This will keep the weight off the break area. That all sounds really great in theory but what about my pain.....where does that get transferred to?? Oh, I guess that is what those small green bottles are for that they gave Stephanie and Brendan......I hope anyway. Dr. Monce told me that it could be 8 weeks before I am fully healed from this so right now I am just trying to take it one day at a time. I have to stay in my crate most of the day right now because I have to make sure I don't put too much pressure on it or jump off the couch which I LOVE to do. I have to tell you though that I sure am starting to get bored of my crate but Stephanie and Brendan just keep telling me that it's in my best interest. I really miss the other dogs that I hear outside of my crate but I will be able to run around with them soon enough. Brendan and Stephanie bought me some bully sticks and they come up to my room all the time and let me hang out with them and chew on my bully sticks.....I really like it when they come hang out with me! Well here are some photos of my new leg.....I guess you could say I am really and Min "Pin" now!!!

Please Donate to Brodie's Surgery.

Brodie went through surgery like a champion. It has been 3 days now since his leg was repaired and other then some time-to-time whines, he is doing great. Like all dogs that are rescued by TrueHeart, we make sure that the dogs get any medical treatment that is necessary prior to them being adopted out to their furever home. As you can imagine, a large procedure such as Brodie's comes with a price tag. Since TrueHeart is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, we rely solely on the donations of caring people such as those reading this blog. Any donations that can me made on behalf of Brodie would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to donate, you can visit our website at Trueheartminpinrescue.org and click on the link on the left hand side that reads "We appreciate your donations." Our website will provide you with a great deal of information about our rescue and who we are. Or you can click on the link below to make a donation. If you would like to verify the information on this blog, we encourage you to call the vet's office, PetSound Animal Hospital, Cary, NC, 919-851-4114. The vet who performed Brodie's surgery was Dr. Monce. Donations will also be accepted by PetSound Animal hospital either over the phone or in person. Thank you in advance for any help you can provide!

Before my surgery.

So as I said in my bio, I was rescued from the side of a highway in Kentucky. I didn't know where I was going and obviously I wasn't very good at finding any food. Well anyway, everything happens for a reason! So there I was, roaming aimlessly, broken right front leg which stuck out like a sore thumb and very hungry. TrueHeart was contacted about me to see if they had any room for me to stay till I could find a home. When a home opened up, Cheryl with TrueHeart Min Pin Rescue took me to my foster home where I was able to be part of a family again. Cheryl knew that I needed to have my leg fixed but she told me I had to regain my strength first. I was was able to put some weight back on and regain my strength while I was with my foster family which is what I needed before I could have my surgery.

Once I was healthy enough for surgery, I was taken to a temporary home in Raleigh, NC to stay with Stephanie and Brendan which is where I am currently recovering. This is a really fun place, they have other dogs that look just like me, more min pins for me to run and play with.....oh and one big Husky (shhh, don't tell him but he is a real push over!) On Wednesday April 29, 2009 I was taken to a wonderful vet in Cary, NC...although I didn't think he was so wonderful when I woke up from the surgery. His name is Dr. Monce with PetSound Animal Hospital and the staff there is so sweet. Here are some photos of me prior to my surgery......I need to go take a nap now cause I sure am tired but I when I wake up I will let you know all about my surgery