… well, in that it was a “Bone Infarct”, which is a bit like saying a broken leg, really. There is no sure way of telling WHY the infarct happened, but the best guess is that at some point in the past, Rowan injured his wrist joint, and there was seepage/bleeding into the bone, which formed a big clot and – in effect – killed the bone off. So it wasn’t renewing itself, and could have fractured at any time or a bit of the bloodclot could have detached itself and he’d have had a stroke, which obviously could have been fatal.
The specialist vet said she cannot find anything in any of the medical journals which describes this … there are plenty of papers about canine bone infarcts, but they are all linked to hip replacement surgery, where – I gather – the implant doesn’t take and the bone dies back. And I don’t remember Rowan ever damaging his wrist, tho the big lummox did use to bank pretty steeply dodging round the trees in the orchard.
Anyway, with the help of my daughter I have uploaded one of the photos my daughter in law took last weekend, showing Rowan in the orhard … there is a flight of 9 stone steps leading there form the cottage, so he did very well … now he’s able to rush up and down quite easily it seems. And although a month ago I never thought I’d see it, he’s once more rushing out to shout at any dogs (horses, tractors) that dare to walk down in the lane past the cottage!
Thanks for reading!
love Polly, Rowan and Willow xxx
ro, you are two darned handsome!!! geesh, you can come guard our orchard anyday big guy!!!! so glad you are doing so well, and have gotten some sort of answer. keep enjoying the moments!!
charon & gayle
Hooray for Ro. He’s very dashing in his red shirt. Glad he is feeling up to guarding the cottage!
Go Ro!
Jackie, Abby’s mom
He’s a handsome guy! And glad he’s feeling better and that you have more answers from the vet.
Rowan you are a handsome boy! Glad you are feeling better!
Jenna