It has been a while since I posted about Shadow. We officially adopted him just about a year ago. He has been doing really well- with decreasing insulin doses and no flare ups of pancreatitis.
This past December Shadow was snooping for food while the foster dogs were outside and I didn't realize he was in their area when I let the dogs back in. In a split second 2 of my foster dogs attacked Shadow. It was horrifying- thank goodness I was right there and I was able to pull the 2 dogs off (although that image will stay with me forever). Yes, I know it's my responsibility to protect him and all my pets and I feel extremely guilty.
Anyway- we brought Shadow to the E vet and instructed them to do everything. At the time it was unclear how bad his injuries were, but we did know there was facial trauma. After an awful E vet experience ( a story for another day) it was discovered Shadow had a broken jaw, bleeding in his lungs, and fractured ribs. He had surgery to have his jaw wired ( not wired shut, but the left and right side wired together) and came home to us the next day.
He did really well with his recovery and thankfully didn't have too much of a setback with his diabetes. Sugars stayed under control, he ate well, and pain was well controlled.
After 6 weeks he went back for surgery to remove the wire and it was discovered his jaw hadn't healed at all. We left the wire in place and this past Monday he went back to surgery after 2 months ( 3 1/2 months post injury) to have the wire removed. Again, no healing. =( It has been advised by an orthopedic surgeon that we leave the wire in place indefinitely, as long as Shadow is tolerating it. They believe it is because of his diabetes that the jaw isn't healing.
Just wondering if anyone has experience with this? Of course I worry about the wire staying in and the risk of infection. Thanks for any thoughts.
This past December Shadow was snooping for food while the foster dogs were outside and I didn't realize he was in their area when I let the dogs back in. In a split second 2 of my foster dogs attacked Shadow. It was horrifying- thank goodness I was right there and I was able to pull the 2 dogs off (although that image will stay with me forever). Yes, I know it's my responsibility to protect him and all my pets and I feel extremely guilty.
Anyway- we brought Shadow to the E vet and instructed them to do everything. At the time it was unclear how bad his injuries were, but we did know there was facial trauma. After an awful E vet experience ( a story for another day) it was discovered Shadow had a broken jaw, bleeding in his lungs, and fractured ribs. He had surgery to have his jaw wired ( not wired shut, but the left and right side wired together) and came home to us the next day.
He did really well with his recovery and thankfully didn't have too much of a setback with his diabetes. Sugars stayed under control, he ate well, and pain was well controlled.
After 6 weeks he went back for surgery to remove the wire and it was discovered his jaw hadn't healed at all. We left the wire in place and this past Monday he went back to surgery after 2 months ( 3 1/2 months post injury) to have the wire removed. Again, no healing. =( It has been advised by an orthopedic surgeon that we leave the wire in place indefinitely, as long as Shadow is tolerating it. They believe it is because of his diabetes that the jaw isn't healing.
Just wondering if anyone has experience with this? Of course I worry about the wire staying in and the risk of infection. Thanks for any thoughts.
