Missy
Patient Spotlight
Trauma (Dragged by car)
Warning: This page contains graphic photos of wounds.
Missy was a 2 year old Pitbull Mix in 2005 when she was accidentally dragged behind her owners SUV. Passers-by noticed her being dragged for about 1/4 mile before they could flag the driver to pull over. Missy was taken to another veterinary hospital, where her previous owner was unable to afford her treatment. The witnesses decided to seek medical help for her on their own accord, and brought her to the Animal Medical Center of Lehigh Acres.
July 20, 2005
Missy presented with multiple abrasions on her left shoulder, pads of all four feet, both flanks and ventrum. Her most severe injuries were to her wrists. The top of her left wrist was completely worn away, to the point where some bone was worn away and the articular surface of her carpus (wrist) was exposed. Her prognosis for living was poor, and her chance of walking again even worse.
She was immediately started on IV (Intravenous) fluids, IV antibiotics, and IV CRI (Constant Rate Infusion) pain medications. Once she was more stable, Missy was placed under anesthesia, and her wounds were cleaned and dressed.
Missy's treatment required more than a month of hospitalization with almost daily anesthesia and daily wound treatment and bandage changes. A dressing composed of sugar, sterile saline and sterile gauze was used to encourage healing. Silvedene cream was used on the more superficial wounds.
 
Week of July 27, 2005
Missy stood on her own for the first time. She was forming great granulation tissue (bright red tissue, normal healing) at all of her wound sites. Her deep wrist injury was begining to granulate over and is trying to close. The large wound on her hip was sutured closed early this week. The wound on her shoulder had a large scab of dead tissue, which is acting like a natural physiological bandage. The other wounds were debrided to remove the dead tissue and appear to be healing well.
By day four, Missy was removed from the CRI IV pain medications. She has been eating pretty well, and is being fed cooked hamburger mixed with her dog food.
  
Week of August 5, 2005
Missy has been getting outside a little each day to get some fresh air. She was wanting to move around a little more each day, although we still want her to stay off her front legs. This week her carpal wound finally closed over the joint with granulation tissue. The large physiologic bandage of dead tissue on her left shoulder finally came off today. Dr. Whitney removed the stitches in her left hind leg two days ago, and that wound has healed beautifully. Her attitude seemed to be brighter, and she seemed to appreciate all the attention she is getting by the hospital staff.
 
Week of August 8, 2005
Missy had her splint removed on Monday, and was walking pretty well. She still had thick soft wraps on both front legs, and bandages on both back feet. Her wounds were contracting down well.
August 15, 2005
Missy was well enough to be discharged from the hospital.
 August 22, 2005
Missy came in for a progress evaluation and she is doing great! We are going to see how she does with her front legs left unbandaged. Her wounds are contracting down well.
Missy finally found her forever home (after several months) at the Whitford's home. Updated 10/2011- Missy is doing great, runs, plays and loves to cuddle!
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