Jim
RVF Supporter
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2019
- Messages
- 4,103
- Location
- North Carolina
- RV Year
- 2016
- RV Make
- Newmar
- RV Model
- London Aire 4551
- RV Length
- 45
- Chassis
- Freightliner
- Engine
- Cummins / I6 Diesel Pusher 600HP / 1,950 ft-lbs
- TOW/TOAD
- 2016 Jeep Rubicon
- Fulltimer
- No
Some good news, some bad news.
The good news is that Ryker's 12-week recovery period ends on Friday (4-days to go!) The bad news? The last cast change was a disaster. The vet tech applied the cast far too tightly, and within 24 hours, Ryker's foot had swollen to 4-5 times its normal size. See pic below.
Blood flows into the foot via arteries and returns via veins. When the bindings are too tight, blood can't circulate properly. It flows into the paw but can't return. The result? The paw swells to alarming proportions, and healing grinds to a halt. This issue demands immediate correction.
After at least 18 cast changes, we've experienced this problem more than a few times. And by now, we know how to handle it. Remove the cast, cut through any restrictive bindings, and re-wrap the area to ensure proper support. However, this is always a nerve-wracking process. Without the cast, the leg is temporarily unsupported, and any overzealous activity could jeopardize the delicate bone fusion that’s still healing.
Anyhow, we replaced the dysfunctional cast with a more functional flexible / removable support, and Ryker is doing just fabulous now! I'll try to get a picture of him sporting his new Velcro support tomorrow, to dark to get anything now.
So in a couple of days, we will all climb into the big ol beast and head for FL. My main concern is getting him up/down the steps in the MH. Fingers crossed, and hoping for some blessings from the almighty.
The good news is that Ryker's 12-week recovery period ends on Friday (4-days to go!) The bad news? The last cast change was a disaster. The vet tech applied the cast far too tightly, and within 24 hours, Ryker's foot had swollen to 4-5 times its normal size. See pic below.
Blood flows into the foot via arteries and returns via veins. When the bindings are too tight, blood can't circulate properly. It flows into the paw but can't return. The result? The paw swells to alarming proportions, and healing grinds to a halt. This issue demands immediate correction.
After at least 18 cast changes, we've experienced this problem more than a few times. And by now, we know how to handle it. Remove the cast, cut through any restrictive bindings, and re-wrap the area to ensure proper support. However, this is always a nerve-wracking process. Without the cast, the leg is temporarily unsupported, and any overzealous activity could jeopardize the delicate bone fusion that’s still healing.
Anyhow, we replaced the dysfunctional cast with a more functional flexible / removable support, and Ryker is doing just fabulous now! I'll try to get a picture of him sporting his new Velcro support tomorrow, to dark to get anything now.
So in a couple of days, we will all climb into the big ol beast and head for FL. My main concern is getting him up/down the steps in the MH. Fingers crossed, and hoping for some blessings from the almighty.
