It has been a very long day for this shelter Mom who slept little last
night.  AT 9 Am Hop A Long and I set out for NY where I delivered him
into the hands of Dr Sandra.  She then notified the specialist and set
out on the one hour commute for exam while I headed back to NH.

When I arrived home after 6 pm there was a message from Dr Sandra.
Hop A long was back at her home after going through an exam and a 2 hour
surgery which included 2 veterinarians, one technician and one assistant.
Hop A Long was now resting on several medications after having had the
fracture reduced.  What this means is the bones had calcified in a bad
position so they needed to break the calcification and then manipulate
those tiny bones into position for healing.  After a two hour ordeal the
xray showed though not perfect it was a very good placement, and so a
special splint / bandage was manufactured to keep the foot and leg all
the way to the shoulder in place.

It is hoped that he will be able to heal and in the next few months if
all goes well he may have near normal use of his leg.  He needs rest and
then progressive physical therapy -- and in two weeks he needs to be
hospitalized again for the splint/ cast to be removed an xray taken and
re-bandaging unless there are other factors.

Hop A Long had a little bit of trouble with the anesthesia and kept the
vets on their toes, but my message said he was back groggy but had eaten
a small bowl of gruel ( the only thing I have found he will eat so far).
Hop A Long could not be in better hands for the next few weeks.  He has
a vet for a foster Mom and when she is at work a grammy who lives there
keeps a close watch and provides food etc.

Hop A Long is resting on top of a soft sack curled up sleeping with his
splinted arm resting across his belly, most likely the least amount of
pain he has known in 6 days.  Right now we just all need to pray that he
has strength and good healing capabilities.  It was observed that he is
a good candidate for early adrenal symptoms- something I figured would
manifest at his age by the time the stress of this injury and being lost
form his only home would cause.  BUT that is future worries, right now
we need to see that he get healing before anything else.

So far this little guy has consumed $132.00 in transportation costs

volunteer time:
transportation  Sat 2 people  5 hrs & 3 hours respectively
transportation Sunday  8 hours - 1 person for initial relay
Sunday 2 hrs  via vet for surgery

emergency shelter coverage - ( so transports could be made)
14 hours Sat & Sunday combined

Sat - emergency vet visit & xrays ( bill not received yet)

Sunday 2 hours in surgery with a staff of four, numerous injections,
casting, x-rays etc. with a scheduled upcoming two week recheck &
continued care.... ( bill not ready at posting time)

We are hoping for some pics of the surgical procedure in the near future
for those interested.

Meanwhile I send thanks on behalf of Hop A Long, the shelter folks &
ferrets to those of you who have assisted in his care.  We have had
several shelter folks, vets, shelter patrons and friends jump in to
help an unfortunate kid so he can live with 4 legs.

That is admirable.  Thank you to those folks who have sent donations and
located ebay items to bid on!

I will pack those items waiting to ship in the AM!  We surely do
appreciate your participation - that is one of the main ways we keep
working these little miracles with YOUR help.

Shelter Mom Alicia-  heading to bed a little early!
[Posted in FML issue 5264]