Facts of Case 4

Client Complaint: Dog hit by car 3 days ago, will not put weight on hind legs.

Signalment: 17 month old, intact male, black and tan Doberman Pinscher

Present History:

Since hit, treated with 2 L Lactacted Ringer's IV in 48 hours
                            500 mg prednisolone sodium succinate IV split in 2 					doses over 12 hours
                            Duragesic 25 mg/hr for the first 24 hours
                            Butorphanol 5 mg IM
                            Cephalozin 700 mg SQ BID first day, then 1000 mg PO BID since
                             Condition has stabilized, signs have not gotten any worse

Past History:

No known health problems
Distemper/Parvo booster is due now, Rabies due in one month
Dewormed with pet store brand a couple weeks ago
4 cups Big Red dry dog food daily, free choice water
inside/outside dog
Lives with 3 other dogs, 2 horses, 2 ferrets, 4 rabbits

Physical Exam:

T= 99.3, P=60, R=18, weight =67 lbs.
Non-weight bearing both hind legs
Superficial and deep pain sensation in both legs and in perineum
Reflex responses in hind legs inconsistent, hard to evaluate
Motor function present but no weight bearing
Superficial skin abrasions on the lateral side of the R hind leg
R hind leg is swollen distal to stifle
L hind leg is swollen down to toes

Orthopedic Exam:

Palpable instability of R tibia, not continuous in midshaft
R hind joints appear normal
Upper L hind leg very swollen
Suspect upper L femur continuity, abnormal limb movement and occasional crepitation
Source of abnormalities could not be precisely localized
Rest of bones and joints appear normal apart from SQ fluid accumulation
No pain or bone distortions along the spine