Dog Emergency
August bank holiday Sunday was a lovely day, too lovely to stay at home and work which was the alternative. So, I set off with my Greyhound and one of my Lurchers, anticipating a great day out. We travelled to Sussex.
I am always very careful with my Greyhound. She is an ex racer and is still too sharp to be let off the lead on a normal walk, without worrying that she will chase small dogs that are in the distance. Very, very occasionally I will take her llure coursing, just for fun, and to give her legs a stretch. She loves doing it and she is still very fit.
This particular day the ground was good, and the grass was long enough for her to dig her toes into, and give some grip underneath her feet. Greyhounds travel at great velocity and speed, their stamina isnt great, at least not as sustained as that of a Lurcher, but they have a love of speed!
Unfortunatly this all ended in disaster, she lost balance on one of the turns, and went straight into some plastic mesh fence at the side of the track, and somersaulted over it. By the time I got to her, one of her legs was dangling at a funny angle. I was pretty sure it wasnt broken, but she was very obviously in pain. I got her into my car, and drove away, but as I reached the bottom of the road I suddenly realised I had no idea what to do.
It was bank holiday Sunday, and I knew my vets would be shut, and I had to make a decision whether to take her to a local vet ( if so who and where?) or to drive home. It was not a very easy decision and I hesitated and pondered and made some phone calls with no resolution, and all the time my dog was in pain. Eventually, after deliberations, I drove home and took her to a vets local to me where she was admitted.
It was 24 hours before X rays were done and a diagnosis was made, she had a dislocated pelvis. It was a further 24 hours before I was told that she would need an operation but it could not be done at the practice she was then at. I had already talked to my vet, who had outlined all the various procedures which all involved operating as the hip was unlikely to go back in without surgery.
To cut a very long story short she had an arthroplasty at the vets I normally go to. She is now recovering and comfortable and taking weight on the leg.
My reason for relating this story is as follows Before travelling anywhere with your dog(s) try to have a plan as to what you would do if the worst were to happen. There are various emergency vets available, but do you know where they are, and if they will see your dog in an emergency? Do you know the terms of payment, and is your dog going to get the same kind of treatment he/she would have if you went to your own vets?
It would be great to use this page as a reference point for anyone travelling to various points in the country. Bear in mind that any reccomendations given are the personal opinions of the people who contribute, andit is up to the individual to check out the vets terms and conditions before any potential emergency happens.
For
all enquiries please contact Pennie on
01322 860 337 or 07910 720 961 or info@horseandhoundschool.co.uk |