Ollie
Debbie is hoping against hope that Noel can offer a future for her beloved petite and patient four-year-old Shih Tzu, Ollie, who suffers from a painful leg deformity after a previous operation on one of his elbows failed.
Treatment
Full limb amputation or euthanasia are both bleak options. Subject to an ethics review, Noel may be able to fuse the dislocated elbow (arthrodesis) to try to get him out of pain.
“This is not a typical elbow fusion, it’s a growth deformity correction as well. There’s a lot going on here” says Noel prior to the now-approved surgery which unfortunately turns out to be even more problematic due to navigating extensive areas of scar tissue from the previous surgery.
This is not a typical elbow fusion, it’s a growth deformity correction as well. There’s a lot going on here
Outcome
Sadly, due to failure of circulation in the fibrous scar tissue around the elbow following realignment, the blood supply to Ollie’s foot became compromised.
In spite of both leech therapy and laser therapy, the circulation does not improve. Noel and the family sadly make the decision for full limb amputation after all, because ethically it’s the right thing to do. They had tried their best, but as Noel says, “I wish I could save Ollie’s leg ... but the reality is that all surgeons fail sometimes.”
Ollie sitting outside
Ollie waiting for his appointment outside
