Ruben's Story

"He literally got him out of the dogs' jaws."

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Ruben was saved from the jaws of a pack of dogs.

A nice man heard his dogs making a ruckus and went to check on them. They had Ruben so he literally got him out of the jaws of the dogs and he was brought to me on 6/12/2021. When I got Ruben he was very malnourished and dehydrated and weighed 12 oz and was covered in fleas. My guess was that he was 5-6 weeks old. He had a small puncture wound on his right inner thigh with a lot of bruising and swelling. I got him cleaned up and hydrated and fed (he now weighs ~2 pounds). I brought him to Serena at SGVAA on 6/16/2021 and she thought his R back leg had a fractured tibia/fibula (she was right). The puncture wound was almost healed by then.

On 6/18/2021 he was seen by a vet who did x-rays and tried unsuccessfully to set his leg. She recommended having him see an orthopedic surgeon, which I had no luck getting him in to. I was hopeful with one place, but after they reviewed his x-rays said he was too small for them.

Ruben no longer seems to have pain and last few days have not given him any more meds. I keep him confined in a crate to minimize him walking on the leg. He now does do weight bearing and walks with a limp when he does ambulate. He’s eating great and is super sweet – but he desperately wants to play with the other kittens.

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Radiographic Findings 4 images dated 6/18/21 are available for review. These include orthogonal projections centered over the right and left hindlimb's. Right and left hindlimb's: There is a complete transverse fracture within the distal metaphysis/diaphysis of the right tibia. Severe caudal, proximal and medial displacement is present. There is minimal overlap of the fracture margins within the tibia. A short oblique fracture is present within the distal diaphysis of the right fibula at the same level as the fracture within the tibia. The surrounding soft tissues demonstrate mild swelling. The osseous structures of the right tarsus, metatarsus and phalanges do not demonstrate any overt additional pathology. The right stifle has a normal appearance. The left stifle and tarsus are normal. Portions of the right hip visualized do not demonstrate any overt evidence of pathology.

Conclusion

1) Complete, severely displaced transverse fracture of the distal diaphysis/metaphysis of the right tibia/fibula. The remainder of the right hindlimb and the left limb are normal.

Diane Saulnier, DVM, MS, Diplomate, ACVR

06/18/2021 1:33:19pm

UPDATE 8/20/21

Ruben is now Phoenix! Sweet Ruben's hard days are over. He was adopted by an amazing family who spoils him rotten. They named him Phoenix!

#tnrstrong #straypaws