Last Sunday at about 7.30am I was out walking Dexter in some local woods which we walk down to and I turned my ankle over on some roots hearing a loud crack as it happened. I knew immediately based upon the sound and pain that this was probably a broken ankle. Unfortunately at this time on a Sunday most people are still tucked up in bed and I had not taken my mobile phone with me...... As no one was about this meant that I had to walk, or should I say hobble over 100 yards towards some nearby houses where fortunately someone was just getting into their car and came to my assistance as I shouted at them. They let me use their mobile phone to call home where I left a message on the answerphone (no one up !), but knew they would hear. Dexter who had got very excited and worried due to my clear pain and unusual sounds was quite upset but we sat on a bench whilst awaiting rescue. As it happens the break is clean and was not displaced by my walk, meaning no cast or operation and I am now on crutches with a protective boot for the next 6 to 8 weeks plus the physio that will be required afterwards. My OH was pretty mad that I walked to get help and lectured me about not taking the phone - I could according to her have sat there, rung for an ambulance, rung home to get the dog collected and not risked damaging the ankle further. I think the learning point is always take your phone as it could be you, the dog or someone else who needs help !!!! Being so early on a Sunday we were in and out of A&E in under an hour which is a record as can take many hours and the waiting room had gone from empty when we arrived to 30+ people by the time we left. Dexter is struggling with my lack of activity and plain gets in the way most of the time and I am overwhelmed by how useless you are when you have 1 leg you can bear weight on, crutches etc - can go virtually nowhere by foot, cannot drive, carrying drinks/food takes creativity and you can do virtually nothing at all. Once again - take your mobile phone on your walks, you never know when it could be vital to you or someone else!!!
Hmm. Dexter has to be taught to summon help! And to leave the whiskey barrel with you. Speedy recovery.
Thanks for the best wishes. Once it rains it can then pour ! I was taking some Ibuprofen today and dropped one 200mg tablet - whoosh Dexter has eaten it as with the broken ankle I could not beat him to it or get it off him. Checked the Internet which does not say nice things about dogs taking these tablets and then rang the vets who call back after consulting with a vet and say to bring him in immediately - luckily a friend was coming round to take me out (currently stir crazy due to inactivity) and he ends up driving us up there. Dexter made to vomit, then fed charcoal and put on a drip (well that is what they said they would do) though they rang later as they could not find the tablet to see if it was a capsule, can collect him this evening so seems he is ok and currently barking a lot - phew as all my fault. Suggestion is that this dose was only marginally higher than a therapeutic dose for a dog of his weight though not a favoured animal treatment - does make me wonder if all of it was necessary but you have to take it on trust.
Oh I am so sorry for you, Dexter and your poor wife! I am always nagging my husband to take his mobile to the woods, just in case. Hope it's not too painful and that your on the mend soon
Keep hydrogen peroxide around the house for emergencies. I think it saved Tilly when she ate a months supply of deramaxx. We still spent a $1600+ at the vet.
