This is my first post in what will be the long and interesting journey of Miss Kali, our chocolate lab and her amputation.
Kali is 3 years old and is like our child. She has been there with us through some of the toughest times and has never faltered. Approximately 3 weeks ago Kali got hung up under our coffee table and in freak accident fractured and displaced 3 metatarsal bones. This kind of break is unable to be pinned so she was splinted and sent home.
The day before her weekly vet visit she chewed half her splint off and had begun to loose her appetite. At her check up the next day the vet said she looked fine and sent her home. Two days later she chewed her cast completely off, re-broke her leg in the process, and began to chew on her toes. To our surprise she had a horrible infection between her toes. We took her back to the vet and were told that she could no be re splinted until the infection had healed. She was put on antibiotics and sent home. She has since been but on a stronger antibiotic in combination with the other and checked twice weekly.
She had another appointment yesterday where the vet determined she was not healing properly. At this point they are not worried about the break, but about the infection. Upon further examination the vets (there are three at this particular clinic and all took a look at her foot) determined the cause of the infection was damaged blood vessels from the initial break. They have chosen to amputate the two toes that are receiving no circulation and are beginning to rot.
The Verdict:
We go back to the vet on Monday, February 6, 2012 (in 3 days), to meet with the surgeon and set up a surgery date. The plan at this juncture is to take two of the hind left toes (4th and 5th–pinkie and ring). However, if the infection has spread further than the toes, Kali runs a fair chance of losing the entire left hind leg.
This is a devastating time for us as Kali loves to run and swim. We are aware that she will tire more easily and will be limited to the duration of play time she can have. Also if we are successful and only have to take the toes, she will be required to wear a shoe on that foot due to wear and tear on her remaining pads.
We are praying for the best and that Kali will live a long, healthy and happy life.
