Simon

Ethical and moral dilemas abound in the practice of medicine. One of the most challenging questions I am confronted with is what to do for stray, injured animals. What do you repair, how far do you go? If it is an obviously aged animal, does that influence your decision? And who will take care of the animal once or if it recovers?

Financial concerns weigh in as well. Believe it or not, veterinary hospitals run on a slim profit margin, atleast ours does. My partner says that is because we take care of dogs like Simon.

Simon was one of those dilemas. He had been hit by a car and spent the night in someones backyard. He could not be easily moved and after a panicked plea from the home owner, my partner went out to their house and returned with Simon on a stretcher.

Two broken legs, the pelvic leg fracture was open,that means the bone was protruding out of the skin. The thoracic limb fracture caused the paw to flop about in a very disturbing fashion. And Simon’s tail wagged.

His collar had his name and owners phone number printed on it, but the people that answered the phone had never had a dog before.

What to do? Simon was gentle, alert and his tail was still wagging. He had survived the night in the elements. He appeared otherwise healthy, but thin.

We took radiographs of the injured limbs. The fractures were bad (like there is ever a good fracture?). They would require a surgeon, I certainly could not repair them. A veterinary surgeon, a friend visiting, reviewed the radiographs - yes the fractures could be repaired, a plate on the radius, some pins and external support to the tibia. Short work for her, but she would not be able to stay and help. Simon’s blood work was normal, heartworm test negative. He received intravenous fluids, antibiotics and pain medication.

I struggled with the decision, surgery? None of us could conider euthanasia. Simon had beaten the odds, he deserved a chance.

I called a local surgeon, no good samaritan work ~$1,500 quote for one fracture to be repaired.

Simon’s tail wagged. My partner and I disscussed options, Simon’s options. We called the surgeon.

The repair of the radius went well. The tibia repair was then attempted by one of the ER docs with the surgeon’s advice. A letter to the editor in the Milford Times brought some generous financial contributions.

On Thanksgiving Day, Simon’s owner called. She had been in the hospital with a serious illness and her husband, who had suffered a stroke, and required assistance, was at home. Family members were watching the home, Simon and Simon’s master. Simon slipped through an open door and was gone.

Simon had been the families solace through some very tough times. When Simon saw his family he suddenly was a different dog. When they left he barked for hours!

Simon is home now, we are still unsure if the tibial fracture will heal. An amputation is still possible. People are still sending donations to his care. The donations will not pay his surgical bill, but it will help. I am so happy we made the decisions we did. Simon definitey needed to stay with his family and help them out for a while longer. ¼/p> Simon and his master