We responded to a call from one of the veterinary hospitals saying that a family was opting to euthanize their 7 month old injured boxer due to financial limitations.  This pretty female boxer, we named Jewel, was reported to have been struck by a car and suffered a broken leg and other injuries.  She had been given limited care for two days before we were asked to take over her treatment.  Examination had revealed soft tissue injuries to the medial left pelvic limb, as well as an obvious deformity of the distal left tibia (both of the bones in her left rear leg were broken and she had open lacerations).  When we transferred her to Tufts Animal Hospital, she was brought into the hospital on a gurney; Jewel was in considerable pain and demonstrated significant distress with any form of manipulation.

 The first order of business for the doctors at Tufts was to give Jewel some relief from her pain.  They administered strong pain medication and applied a padded “Robert Jones” bandage to give better support to her broken leg.  The doctors confirmed that she had a displaced mid-diaphysis transverse fracture of the left hind tibia and fibula. This was an open fracture and she also had a nasty wound to her hock which was a concern.  Luckily x-rays did not show any injuries to the thoracic and abdominal regions or to the pelvis itself.  The orthopedic surgeon was hopeful that Jewel’s leg could be put back together with a metal plate.  Surgery was scheduled for the following morning and everything proceeded as planned.  The doctors were amazed that Jewel’s demeanor changed so quickly after her leg was repaired.  Since she was relieved of her agonizing pain she was up and walking on her own the very next day.  This sweet puppy is recovering quietly in her foster home and is scheduled for follow up x-rays in 6 to 8 weeks.

She will need to be spayed after she is finished healing.

 So many animals are abandoned and needlessly neglected because, when the going gets tough, their families choose not to take the responsibility for their care.  The reality is that these animals suffer physically and emotionally.  When you bring an animal into your home please remember that you are supposed to be their guardian FOREVER.

 A message from Winslow's dad:

 It is with a heavy heart that I sit here with Winslow to write about another one of his friends.  This poor baby Jewel was not only hit by a car, but driven around with her broken leg in search of an inexpensive fix…for two days!!!!