There is no easy way to share this news.
When we left Spike at Fitzpatrick Referrals on
Monday we knew that x-rays and CT scans would show the full extent of Spike’s
condition within both elbows. We also
knew that his condition would fall within a spectrum of severity and possibly
quite high up on that spectrum, so relatively aggressive surgery may have been
required. We then hoped that keyhole
surgery would provide a solution and help Spike lead a pain free life. We were prepared for weeks (or months) of
recuperation.
We had decided that whatever it took, we would find a way to
manage his recovery and then help give him the life that he deserves.
We were not prepared for what actually happened….
Forever
and a day I will remember the phone call that I had yesterday with the consultant. As I sat staring at the gates to the
Broadlands Estate in Romsey tears flowed down my face. I tried to absorb his words and all that they
meant. I listened intently but all I could
see in my mind was Spike and standing beside Spike was Kobi.
They did not operate on Spike because based on the evidence from
the x-ray and CT scan there is not a viable surgical option for him.
The elbow joint is made up of three connecting bones: the
ulna and radius on the lower arm and the humerus on the upper arm. In Spike’s joints, none of them fit together
properly. In simplistic terms it is like
fitting a square peg in a round hole or having a jigsaw puzzle where none of
the pieces fit together. As a result of Spike’s
bones not fitting together properly they have become damaged as has the
cartilage within the joints. What this
means is that Spike has the equivalent of osteoarthritis and there is no viable
way to prevent it from getting progressively worse. Even if we put him in a cage and did not
allow him to move for the rest of his life it would still worsen. Exercise is not going to adversely affect the
damage and natural progression of this condition. It will just happen.
The only surgical solution is joint replacement and that is
not a viable option for a number of reasons.
- There is no guarantee of success and it is a relatively new advancement in surgical solutions for dogs with elbow dysplasia.
- Only one elbow can be operated on at a time – the recovery period for each elbow would be 6 months minimum. So for 12 months Spike would be stuck in a cage, limited exercise and probably in a lot of pain.
- Spike has hip dysplasia which has improved with exercise. If we reduce this exercise we risk making this condition worse and ending up with Spike in pain on all four limbs.
- Spike is one year old, probably around 14 months of age. A life time of operations and recovery would be all that he ever knows.
From an ethical perspective we cannot contemplate putting
this little dude through 12 months of potential torture. Several operations, the stress of being away
from his family and then confined to a cage for long periods of time….
So what does this mean for Spike?
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| We will all enjoy sunsets together... |
Well that one is easy to answer…. For the remainder of his
life he will live as part of a pack within a happy family environment. He will eat good quality food, have unlimited
cuddles and free access to as much exercise as he wants. If he wants to run, he can, if he wants to
stay in bed all day then he can do that.
Hell if he wants to drink beer we will even let him do that…. But maybe
only in moderation….
The only downside is that the rest of his life will not be
long. He will not reach full adulthood
and will never run as a Siberian Husky was born to run.
I had so many dreams for Spike, which now lay shattered by
the wayside, but I refuse to lose sight of why he is a part of our lives. His life is more important than my dreams and
anyway it is thanks to him that I have been able to live some dreams and how ultimately
I will live the biggest of them all.
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| We might even allow this.... |
For the rest of Spike’s life I will work towards that dream
and with his help I will make it happen.
He has inspired me to create a wonderful world where good triumphs over bad. Disabilities can be overcome and life is
lived to its full. Each time Spike has a
real life adventure I create a story from it that fills pages…. The words flow
and the pages take on a life of their own.
Spike has given me a great gift that I intend to share while he still
lays by my side and I can still snuggle my nose into his fur. He may not be a working husky is the
conventional sense, but he certainly has a very important job to do….
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| Cuddles, there will be lots of cuddles... |
I wish the real story could end differently, but the reality
is that this little boy should never have been born. His frail and damaged body is a direct result
of human selfishness, greed and neglect.
But for the rest of his life he will know love, trust and
happiness. We can promise him that.
