Testimonials
Meet Layla!
Meet Layla! She is an 11-year-old boxer. Several years ago, she suffered a cruciate rupture. The rupture was repaired surgically but, unfortunately, the ligament on the other knee also ruptured.
This is a predictable outcome following the first surgery. Often there are predisposing factors that cause the initial rupture, and these factors may affect the other knee, as well.
During the recovery phase following the initial surgery, the patient will put more weight on the other leg while the operated leg is healing. This additional strain may weaken the other ligament.
After the surgery, there is an expected recovery time of approximately 6-8 weeks. Following this recovery time, most cases will result in resolution of pain, an increase in mobility, and a better quality of life.
Layla is now more active than ever!
Meet Bandit!
Bandit arrived at Austin Veterinary Diagnostic Hospital with a draining tract on his face that had been present for nine months. His owner visited a couple of veterinary clinics where antibiotics were prescribed, and a needed dental cleaning was performed. However, the abscess on his lower jaw would not go away.
At our hospital, Dr. Kneupper recommended a CAT scan (CT) of Bandit’s head to further evaluate the tissue below the draining lesion. What she found was a surprise.
Bandit’s owner noted that he always had difficulty opening his jaws and just presumed it was a birth defect. Bandit was a dog rescued from West Texas through our Wags to Riches program, so his previous history was unknown.
On the CT, we found that Bandit had previously been shot, fracturing his jaw and causing a piece of bone to break off. That particular bone fragment died, and over the years, festered into a source of infection. We performed surgery and easily removed it.
Months later, Bandit is doing well, and his face is completely healed!
Meet Walker!
Last December, Walker came to us for vomiting after eating, and Dr. Donop found high liver values and recommended hospitalization with intensive care. After a few days, there was no improvement, and his gallbladder was worsening.
That’s when Dr. Donop decided to remove the obstructed gallbladder, along with placing a feeding tube in his esophagus. After a couple of days of recovery, Walker remained very sick. Luckily, he improved enough to spend Christmas at home with his family.
But then, a Christmas miracle happened! On Christmas Eve Walker began eating on his own! His feeding tube was removed soon after, and his blood work passed with flying colors! He’s back to being a normal, happy, energetic dog again! Walker’s story is one of hope and healing thanks to a team effort by his owners, Dr. Donop, and the entire AVDH staff.
Meet Blu!
Blu’s story began on Christmas Day when we noticed he was limping at the dog park after some rough play with his best buddy Moose. We brought him in to see Dr. Barrett Donop at Austin Veterinary Diagnostic Hospital. At first, we thought it was just a sprain, so he rested for a few weeks, but the limp was getting worse, and a little knot was forming on the side of his wrist.
Dr. Donop felt it was time to X-ray and do a biopsy, and we received some news we were not ready to receive. Blu had cancer in his leg, and it was so bad that it had eaten away at his bone, so the only option was amputation or putting him down.
We couldn’t imagine putting him down, but we also had a hard time thinking what it would be like for Blu to have three legs. He is so active and crazy, and I would feel terrible if he was just forced to sit around all day like he had been doing the last few months. We couldn’t decide until one day I walked into the house, and he ran out the front door and down the hill behind our house just like he used to! Almost showing us that he could do it!
We called Dr. Donop the next day, and after he said he had always believed Blu would handle having three legs beautifully, we decided to go ahead with the amputation. Dr. Donop did another set of X-rays to confirm there wasn’t any cancer in his chest or lungs, and when they came back clear, he did the surgery right after.
Seeing Blu with just three legs was quite shocking for me when I picked him up the next day, but he ran to me like he had all four legs! It was the best decision we ever made. He is so happy and runs and plays just like he used to. I always felt like I didn’t believe in amputating a leg on a large dog, but I do now!! And without the help and support from Dr. Donop, I don’t think we would have done it. He made us feel sure that Blu could handle it, and Blu proves that to us every day.
Thank you Dr. Donop and everyone who helped with Blu’s surgery!!!
Love, Kate, and Seth
“Amputations are always a difficult decision for clients to come to terms with, and Blu was certainly no exception. However, the result is so rewarding, and to see Blu run, pain-free is amazing and a true testament of the free spirit he is.”
Barrett Donop, DVM