Gramercy's vet visit

When Gramercy arrived to WA, right off of transport my co-state coordinator and I knew something was a little off with his legs.  We figured it was just a case of bowed legs and we'd just watch and see.  After about a week with us and talking back and forth with New Rattitude's treasure (she has extensive dog medical knowledge) it was decided that Gramercy needed have a vet look at his legs.

On Thursday we headed off to a great vet who we knew would give her thoughts and not pressure us one way or another - not all vets are like this.  I asked my co-state coordinator to come along and hold my hand as I've only had a couple of medical issue foster dogs and none of them had leg issues.  She was kind enough to give up part of her day to come along.  Thank goodness she did as I was overwhelmed with all that the vet told us so, having 4 ears instead of 2 was a really good idea.  In a nutshell, Gramcery has a lot going on and when we combine them all we have a sweet little boy who needs surgery.  Here's my notes from our visit:

He's had trauma to his body due to likely being hit by a car and then just sucky genetics.

- Trauma from the possible car are around his left front and left back foot.
- The nail bed has probably been damaged that's why his outside nails are so oddly shaped. He has visible scaring on his outer nail to skin portion. He's not fond of anyone touching these toys probably from the injury.
- He also has a lot of missing fur on his chest and the vet said this was probably road rash from what ever happened to him as there's a good amount of scar tissue where the hair should be.
- On his back left leg he has visible scars from what ever happened to him.
- His front right leg has had some kind of trauma possibly for whatever caused all of the above.

With regards to his genetics the vet paused trying to come up with a positive word but finally said he had structural deformities.

- His front legs bow out bad due to the the bones not all growing at the same time and/or correctly
-He has a grade 3 luxating patella in both back legs
- His body is so oddly shaped that as he gets older it's likely that he will throw his back out so see recommended that whoever adopt him look into chiropractic care
- He shouldn't be jumping up or down on things (bed/furniture) as that could mess his back and/ legs up worse than they are.

So with all this info the recommendation is to have the back left Luxating Patella repaired sooner rather than later. The problem with him is that he can't walk more that 100 feet without pulling up that back left foot which then as he keeps walking his right front foot attempts to overcompensate and that already messed up leg/foot can't hold up his body and the front foot slips as he's cupping it to keep moving forward. Right now he can't walk more than probably 1000 ft without his body turning into a gimpy mess. 

Given the impact of all his problems we all think this makes sense for him to have the surgery while in foster care. And the vet felt because of all his issues that we need to go see an orthopedic surgeon for consultation.

His shelter paperwork says that he's two but, the vet thinks he's between 4 and 5. Which we agree that he's older than 2. He has a all over yeast infection and pimples on his tummy - this due to poor nutrition.  I've been giving him a high dose probotic, he's on high quality food and other supplements.  All of this seems to be helping the yeast but this little muffin has had a rough go at life.     

 

What I think is pretty amazing is that New Rattitude takes care of the dogs we rescue.  We could have easily said this is how he is and tell his future adopter that he's adopted "as is".  But, given what we know, this needs to happen to get this boys body some relief.  So for those of you who donate to New Rattitude, you're going to get to see first hand your dollars at work.  Gramercy sends his thanks!