Great news -- Opie has been officially adopted!!!
Susan and Mike Kirk (foster parents) have decided their lives would just not be complete without having Opie in it!!
He is now known as "Murphy Kirk"
Congrat's to Susan, Mike and Murphy!!
"Opie"
Opie came to Citrus Golden Retriever Rescue from Animal Control. During his "new rescue check up" hip radiographs were taken at Midway Animal Hospital . It was found that Opie had hip dysplasia  .
Midway then forwarded the radiographs over to Affiliated Veterinary Specialists for an expert opinion on if surgery would be an option for him.
Dr deHaan at AVS looked at the radiographs and called to give us his recommendations.
A "TPO" (Triple Pelvic Osteotomy) would be the best option for Opie to have as normal of a life as possible and to be able to run, play and be pain free like every under 1 yr old Golden should be able to.
Cost, of course, was discussed due to our group running on strictly donations and having very limited funds. Dr. deHaan gave us a very generous discount and so the "fund raising" began in earnest!!
Through the MANY, MANY generous contributions from people all over Florida and out of Florida - Opie is heading to AVS on 10-15-08 bright and early in the a.m. to have his surgery!
We have already lined up a wonderful foster home for him as he recoups from his surgery.
We will keep you updated on his recovery as the days go on.
Again, we at CGRR can not thank ALL of you enough for your generosity!!
Surgery day at AVS 10-15-08
So bright and early Opie made the ride to Affiliated Veterinary Specialists (accompanied by Ellen and Mimi) for his initial consult with the surgeon (Dr. Jacek deHaan) and his surgery.
Upon his initial examination it was noted that Opie has another issue going on both of his elbows have a form of dysplasia called FCP (fragmented coronoid process). His elbows are actually causing him quite a bit of pain.
So the fund raising will begin in earnest once again for the future surgery on his elbows, most likely in 2-4 weeks after his hip surgery.
Surgery today on his hip (TPO - Triple Pelvic Osteotomy) was performed by Dr deHaan and it went very well -- he has a good prognosis for a pain free future!
Below are a few pictures take at the clinic today (thank you Michelle and Becky for taking them for us).
We will continue to keep you updated! Opie is scheduled to go to his new foster home tomorrow afternoon - to recoup post surgery!
These are Opie's hip radiographs: The left one is before surgery (note the lack of a socket to hold the femoral head in place - when this is the case you end up with a lot of movement and bone rubbing against bone causing pain). The right one is after surgery (the pelvis is cut and repositioned to form a socket and held there with a bracket so you don't have the excess movement of the two bones rubbing against each other).
Opie waking up immediately after surgery. He's on post-op I.V. fluid and snuggled down in a "Bair hugger" keeping him toasty warm.
A couple hours post TPO surgery -- sleeping quite comfortably.
Going home day 10-16-08
We (Ellen, Jill and Susan - the new foster mom for Opie) arrived at AVS to pick him up the following day around 4:00 p.m. . Dr. deHaan came into the exam room to discharge Opie and also to explain how the surgery went and he went over what Opie's aftercare would need to be. We also got to have a tour of the hospital - which was very nice.
We then discussed when we would plan for his elbow surgeries. Dr deHaan let us know that as long as all goes well and he's healing on schedule with his hip, the elbows can be set up for 4 week from now.
Dr. deHaan and Opie at discharge 10-16-08
10-17-08
Report from Susan - Opie's foster mom:
Opie is doing wonderful - he had a restless night (I slept on the floor with him and he settled down). This a.m. he is eating well and going outside. He loves being outside. He isn't playful at all but loves to just lay down and watch what is going on. He is toe-touching on his right rear (surgical side).....the road to recovery has started!
Mike and Susan Kirk with Opie the first afternoon after picking him up from AVS.
10-19-08
Foster Mom Susan reports:
Opie is doing well -- he really enjoys the outside and the height of his awareness of things around him makes us wonder how much time he spent out
prior to now. He is amazed by the breeze. When a leaf falls to the ground
near him he tries to catch it in his mouth. His vision seems to be
excellent because he will spot birds high in the sky and watch them circle
around. He seems to hear everything quite well. All in all very alert and
curious.
Opie enjoying relaxing outside in the yard.
10-26-08
Susan, Opie's foster mom, (who is a human massage therapist) reports.....he loves the dentahelx strips and is very animated while he eats them.
Per the discharge orders he is now only on the pain med when needed.
I can't say itenough - he loves the outdoors. He laid there and watched a spoonbill on
the edge of the lawn this a.m.. He also really loves getting his massages and just lies there relaxing during the whole session.
Opie enjoying his "chew" - and also getting his massage! 10-26-08
11-7-08
New update comes from foster parent Mike on Opie!
As you can see, his incision scar is fading nicely.
He gets more assertive every day and his self-confidence is
growing by leaps and bounds. His personality is really starting to emerge
and we are enjoying having him stay with us very much.
Look how nice my leg is healing. And "no" you can't have my stuffed bone! <G>
11-24-08 (Elbow surgery day)
The day came, after having his 4 week radiographic recheck done for his hip surgery (his hip is healing wonderfully!) to have surgery on both elbows.
So early on Monday morning Opie headed back to AVS for Arthroscopic surgery on both his elbows (at the same time) .
He was admitted and prepared for surgery mid morning. Dr. Jeft Peck was to be the attending surgeon.
We got a call a little after the noon hour that all was completed and went very well!!
We were also told that Opie would be in the indicator on when he'd go home
(either the next day or two days) depending on his pain level.
Opie being prepared for surgery on both his elbows. 11-24-08
In the O.R. -- Dr. Jeff Peck.
Opie recovering, being kept toasty warm and sleeping soundly!
11-25-08
Opie had a good night, but was quite "ouchy" when going out to go potty.
Poor guy only has ONE good leg to stand on right now.
BUT he'll be so much better in the long run and be able to run and play like a 1 yr old Golden should be able to.
The doctor felt he should probably stay until Wed. due to the amount of pain he was exhibiting this a.m.
Becky went to see him around lunch time and she reported to Ellen that he jumped right up in the kennel run and wanted to go outside. So she took him outside where he proceeded to pull her around sniffing, going potty and visiting people.
Enlight of him feeling that much better in those few hours we got to come today and pick him up.
After an update and conversation with the doctors we arranged to be there at 3:30.
We were very happy to hear the good news and arrived then to take Opie home.
We want to send a BIG THANK you to all the staff at AVS and also Dr. Jeff Peck for performing the surgeries on both Opie's elbows.
12-28-08
Update from foster parents Susan and Mike Kirk:
Today was his second time swimming and we all saw a noticeable improvement.
He was less reluctant to enter the pool and he seemed much more comfortable
in the water. We are really proud of him!
It also appears that Opie had made himself right at home with the Kirks and his new kitty buddy!!!
Mike Kirk with Opie in another member of the rescue groups pool (Cornells). Swimming will really aid in building muscle and strength back into his shoulders and elbows after surgery.
more pool shots of Mike (foster parent) and Opie in the pool.
Opie inside enjoying quiet time with a bone and a new friend.
Murphy (Opie) is now free playing with friends and having a great time!
12-30-08
Murphy continuing to swim to build muscle. But now he's doing it all on his own with no help from Dad!
12-30-08
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