BUDDY'S SURGERY
We first noticed Big Buddy limping on May 2, 2010, so we scheduled a visit by one of our vets, Dr. Sylvia Greenman on the 6th. She took several x-rays and discovered a small bone chip in the front of his fetlock. (I've marked the spot on the photo to the left.)
This was from an older small fracture apparently, but the chip had moved into the joint causing him, needless to say, some discomfort.
'Course, him banging his foot on the stall door begging for carrots didn't help either!
With only one other option, which we certainly did not want to even consider, we took Dr. Greenman's recommdation and scheduled surgery at Hollywood Park veternary hospital on May 12 with Dr. Ted Simpson.
On a side note, when I unloaded him at Hollywood Park where all of these 2 and 3 yr. old racing Thoroughbreds were being rushed around and led with stud chains, he raised his head up confidently and whinnied,
"Hello everyone, my name's Buddy."
Seriously, everyone stopped and took a good look at our strikingly handsome quarterhorse. I had several jockeys and handlers walk over to me inquiring about him. 'Course, it kinda helped that he had his longhorns still showing on his rump.
After Buddy was put into "LaLa Land," it was quite interesting to watch how he was transported and positioned on the operating table.
The doctors all commented on how big and strong he was. After dealing with young racing Thoroughbreds, they were very impressed.
The procedure started at about 11 am and Dr. Simpson completed the surgery by 12 noon.
I stayed in the room and was able to watch the operation on the monitor as the doctor cut out and removed two bone chips about the size of half of your fingernail.
Buddy in his nice and comfy "recovery room."
Prognosis looks good, his bandage needs changing every couple of days, then rehab.
Doctor said in about 90 days "He'll be ready to go!"
Needless to say, we're going to take it easy on Big Buddy for a while tho.
"Thanks to everyone who offered well wishes and help! We really appreciate it."
Jim & Lori
