Plan of Action

We would like to see radiographs of the R-tibia, L-Hip and lumbosacral spine to look for 
fractures, luxations.  We would especially like to focus on the midshaft of the right tibia, 
because of the discontinuity we felt on exam.  A couple of different views of the hip 
might be necessary. If lesions are noticed associated with the spine, a myelogram may 
show disk rupture.

We would like to do an orthopedic exam under sedation to help characterize the hip 
lesion.

 A neurological exam could rule in neurological deficits that could be contributing to the 
lameness.

A CBC could show possible internal bleeding, anemia, infection, so it would be helpful 
for diagnosis and prognosis.

Because of the extent of this dogÕs injury, we are also concerned about internal (tissue) 
trauma.  We would like to look for bladder ruptureÑlook for urine output, do a 
cystocentesis, evaluate bladder function.  Other organs that could have ruptured are 
spleen and GIÑultrasound and radiology could rule out these possibilities.  

Also, this dog could have developed a traumatic myocarditis, so an ekg might be 
helpfulÑit would be good to know the dogÕs status, before surgical therapy was 
attempted.  

Since the dog is not dyspneic, we are not especially worried about pneumothorax or 
hemothorax, but chest radiographs could rule these possibilities out as well.