Fievel

Fievel

Fievel

Fievel arrived at Fitzpatrick Referrals with Fiona and Dan, when they noticed that their 16 month old, lively, happy Labrador was having problems getting around using his hind legs. He was referred to Fitzpatrick’s with severe hip dysplasia, requiring a total hip replacement on both sides. After a long discussion with Fiona and Dan, it was decided to proceed with the surgery.   Due to the extent of the issues he faced, Fievel was going to need a series of operations to address each problem individually.

Noel was concerned about the surgery – because although he had performed many total hip replacements, this was one of the worst cases he had ever seen. Noel felt given the advance level of disease the likelihood of complications for Fieval if he used a conventional total hip replacement system was too high. Noel called upon the help of his FitzBionics team to design a custom total hip replacement for Fieval to try and reduce the likelihood of post-operative complications.

Noel started with Fievel’s left hip with the surgery taking a little under three hours to complete. Two weeks after his surgery Fievel was ready to go home. Fiona and Dan were very excited to see Fievel, and he repaid their devotion with lots of kisses! Two months later, Fievel was back for his customised right total hip replacement. He was discharged after three weeks and everyone was hoping that this would be the end of his problems.

Luck was not on Fieval’s side, and after noticing Fievel was still struggling, Fiona and Dan brought Fievel back to see Noel. After a series of x-rays and CT scans it was clear that FIeval’s left knee was suffering from serious degenerative joint disease (arthritis) and it was decided that he would have to undergo a total knee replacement to get him out of pain and discomfort. During his recovery Fievel spent many hours with our team of physiotherapists; an intensive program of therapeutic exercises and hydrotherapy was put together to get him back to pain free functionality with Fieval having physiotherapy four times a day and swimming once a day.

Fievel with his family

Fievel with his family

Fievel with his family

Fievel with his family

Genetics hadn’t been fair to him, but his loving family never gave up hope that he could live a happy, pain free life.