Finnegan 2009

FINNEGAN UPDATE: 5/13/09 Finnegan went to see Kimberly Barrett at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine Rehabilitation Services today. He had his stitches out and was evaluated for range of motion and prognosis for his recovery. He was his usual sweet self and everyone there loved him. His range of motion at this point is about half of what it should be. I asked if he would benefit from continued PT and if we could get his range of motion back up near normal, and she was quite sure we could make a big difference for him and let him get his life back to normal.

Finn was good for passive range of motion work, and cooperated well until Kim tried to get him to walk SLOWLY down the hall. As you know, nothing is "SLOWLY" when you're an 18 month old fox terrier! So she put him on a tread mill, and with a little coaxing with treats, he did very well. We moved on to the Water Treadmill and Mr. Finnegan decided that was not his favorite activity. I think it's too close to a bath for his liking! But again, with coaxing and treats, we got a very good result.

His Physical Therapy/Rehab is kind of expensive, but it would be a waste to have put him through surgery without giving him the best outcome possible. If you can help with his Therapy costs, please do. Please let us know you want your money to go toward that by "earmarking" it for Finn's PT either on your check, or send a note to dbd10@msn.com and let her know that is where you want your Paypal donation to go.

Finn is now set for 12 sessions (2x week for 6 weeks) of water therapy, in conjunction with an at-home exercise plan of short, slow walks (or treadmill work) 3 x a day, passive range of motion exercises and limb lifts 2 - 3x a day, followed up by some icing of his knee.

FINNEGAN UPDATE: 5/11/09 Finn is doing well. He's bored, but getting used to life in a cage. I get him out to stroll the yard 5 - 6 times a day and one longer walk every day. He's done with the pain meds and is just on the Metacam now, and I can tell because he's slowed down a smidge. I think he's feeling a bit more discomfort in the leg at this point which isn't a bad thing - keeps him from over-doing it. Incision looks good, and he is starting to use the leg about 50% of the time when walking which is great progress. He's never needed to wear a cone - has left the leg alone. I suppose it helps that I always have a chew bone in his cage with him. He has his PT appointment on Wednesday so expect more news then.

5/6/09 Finnegan is doing well. He's fostering at Kathy's home and is getting along with the other dogs there. He really is bored and wants to get up and go - but will be on restricted movement for at least 5 more weeks. He is going in on the 13th to have his stitches out and have a Physical Therapy consultation. We want to give him the best chance for at least a 99.9% recovery, so if he needs PT, we'll just make it happen. He is a pleasant boy with a happy demeanor - as long as you're not a cat or a squirrel...!

5/1/09 Surgery went very well and they were able to repair the knee and hopefully loosen up the constriction in his hock. He woke up and wanted to get up and go, even though he was pretty wobbly! I was notified this morning that he's up and alert and thinks he should get to play! He'll not be an easy one to get to take it easy while he's recovering! Thank you to all who can help with Finnegan. Your generous donations will help Finnegan so much on his road to a new, pain-free life! Thank you so much!

Finnegan started life in Minnesota. He was most likely born in one of the puppy mills there, and was purchased by a family who didn't want such an active dog. He was turned in to a shelter who placed him in another inappropriate home. They returned him and he ended up in a small rescue who didn't have time for him and he was living in a cage in a barn. All of this in his short life of 18 months.

We acquired him from that rescue and while grooming and cleaning him up from all the dirt and burrs in his fur, we found that he had an injured hind leg. There is no way of knowing what happened to the leg, but there is scarring on the inside that leads us to believe something quite traumatic happened - possibly an attack by a large dog or being hit by a car or something. The leg appeared to be somewhat twisted.

We took him to the vet at Compassionate Care Animal Hospital in Brooklyn Park, MN. where he was pronounced very healthy and happy, but his knee was definitely injured. They suggested an orthopedic consult to see if the knee could be repaired.

The wonderful vets at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Teaching Hospital juggled some time out of their busy schedules and fit our Finn in on April 30th. After a few more x-rays and a thorough exam by one of the orthopedic surgeons, Dr. Liz LaFond, it was determined that our happy guy has his knee cap over to the side of the knee joint (grade 4 patella luxation) and has been living in pain since whatever happened to that leg occurred. Dr. LaFond believes it's an injury that happened some time ago, but is confident that she can repair the knee and help Finn live a much better life with a leg that functions properly and doesn't cause extreme pain for our happy little boy.

Finnegan will have his surgery on May 1st - and hopefully by next May Day will be dancing around the May Pole with a good leg and new family.

Finnegan is about a year and a half old, healthy, happy, loving, little 15 lb. boy that doesn't let his leg slow him down in the least. We are expecting a full and fast recovery for Finn. He's just about the happiest little guy I've met in a while, and he seems to get along with other dogs but he really would like to eat every kitty he sees. He will need a fenced yard when he finds a new home, because he has shown the vets that he is somewhat of an escape artist. He is house trained, neutered, up to date on all vaccinations. He will be started on Heartworm prevention as soon as he comes home from the hospital.

If you have the heart to adopt this special boy please contact kathy@kathysdogs.com . Finnegan is in Minnesota and we know the right family is waiting to meet him. He is one of the really special ones who deserves to have his life turn around.

Please email Debi at dbd10@msn.com for a receipt for your tax deductible donation, and let Debi know you'd like your donation to go to Finnegan's care. All funds are used for medical care for our wonderful fox terriers. If we are blessed with enough for Finnegan, have no fear, other dogs are always in need of your support.

Finnegan will be forever grateful. Even the smallest of donations will help begin healing this wonderful dog.

Help Finnegan move on in his journey and his road to recovery! Please donate to Fox Terrier Rescue!

To learn about our puppy mill dogs, go to http://www.foxterrierrescue.net/Millstory.htm . The extraordinary donations that were received from the general public allowed these dogs to get the care they needed, and also care for other mill dogs that have since come in to rescue.

We can never thank you enough for your generosity in helping to save dogs’ lives.

For donations to the General AFTR fund to help these and other dogs in the care of Fox Terrier Rescue, you can donate via PayPal using your Credit Card or send a check to:

Fox Terrier Rescue
c/o Debi Drake
AFTR Treasurer
6209 Twenty Year Chase
Columbia, MD 21045

and Debi will send you a receipt for your donation. We will be forever grateful. Even the smallest of donations will help to begin healing these wonderful dogs.

Click on the link below to donate by credit card via PayPal. Please send Debi Drake an email giving her your address information so she can send you a receipt for your tax deductible donation. Email Debi at dbd10@msn.com

Finn at the U looking for a treat	If only I could get off this thing and show them how fast I am!	15% incline... whew!	Bad enough walking in the water, but did you need to tape a weight to my leg?
Now you're turning on the jets?	This is hard work!	Done! Finally!	Finn at home with Coach Lola (and she's really NOT just here for the treats...)
Can we put on some better tunes?	Finn with Coach Rebel. Rebel doesn't seem to think that Finn is working very hard.	C'mon soldier! Let's see you move!	I don't know but I've been told... Treadmill stuff is gettin' old! Sound off... 1, 2...
	Finn with Coach Lola on the Cavelletti.	I'm good at this!

Not too sure about this!	Is the door this way?	Somebody should get me outta here!	OK, this is way too much like a bath!
This is quickly losing its charm.	Maybe if I work hard, they'll let me out.	Well, maybe it's not that bad...	This lady has treats - maybe I could get used to this.
If only I had opposable thumbs, I know I could open this door!	Oh fine! I'll just cooperate!	I wore that vet student out!	Ice feels good...

You can see how he holds his leg straight	Our serious boy	Happy Finnegan - a sore leg won't stop me from smiling!
Better view of the leg	Again how straight he holds it	The inside where the trauma to the skin is located