02/01/2012
November 2011 "Skidder", my 6 year old female Jack Russell Terrier, jumped from my vehicle and her leash stuck in the door of my car and she was dragged 4 blocks, including but not limited to, over the Wishkah River Bridge. The trauma was mine, the serious injuries was to Skid's (no pun intended) feet. Her forepaws the pads were scraped to the toenail quick. Her rear feet were degloved to tendon and bone. She had an abrasion on her lip also.
I was sick, still today I have flashbacks and feel the terror of that moment.
83 days of treatments, which at first was, anesthesia to remove bandage and clean the wounds, as it was a painful procedure. They cleaned each wound three times per week. The bandages were placed over jel pad that kept the area moist without being wet. Later that was exchanged for a powder under the wrap. Skidder, found the clinic homey. She was very happy going in, she became fond of the staff. So much so, she had to be kenneled away from staff as she thought if she could see them, they should respond to her continual and annoying yappping. She trusted the Tech so much, and she is terrier tough, she would stand with out pain control and allow the cleaning and wraping of all her feet.
Gradually, the bandages began to disappear. until her front pads sluffed off and brand new pads grew in, amazing. The rear legs took longer as the skin has to grow back. It was aw inspiring to watch how the body as a machine repaired itself. Finally her hind feet could be exposed and left that way. She wore a collar that kept her from the natural response to lick them.
She is happy, healthy and back to fetching, and snapping at the pup.
#}