DINO'S STORY
In 2001, Dino had an accident that shook the lives of many.
Here is the remarkable story, told by Patty Thomason:
"His leg is broken." Those are the words that send and icy jolt to the soul of every horse owner. Worse yet, it was a break to the pastern, for which treatment and recovery are very difficult. It was 5:30 on a cold, unfriendly afternoon, just two days before Christmas, when Dr. Alex Wales looked at the X-ray of Dino, a 9-year old Quarter Horse stallion who was the pride and joy of the Conti family. Somehow, on the icy ground, he had broken the delicate P-2 bone in his right hind leg. Dino needed to be helped to the barn and my husband Greg and I, friends and neighbours of Thom and Denise, responded to the phone call immediately. We arrived to see the sticken faces of the Conti family as they soothed their injured horse. The men struggled to support Dino from behind and they slowly moved him the short distance to the barn. Once Dino was in a stall, balancing on three legs and in great pain, Denise and Thom had to make a huge decision. Did they embark on the nearly impossible battle to try and save their horse, or did they listen to the odds against them and end it right there? There was no need for discussion. "We want to save him," they told Dr. Wales. And so began a journey that involved a determined and compassionate family, a dedicated vet, and a horse with a very big heart. Here is their story:
Dec. 23, 2001: Dr. Wales applies the first cast, hoping to stabilize the leg. Thom and Denise spend the night in the barn, not albe to do anything more to relieve Dino's discomfort, but afraid to leave his side. Meanwhile, Dr. Wales researches the latest information on treating this type of break.
Dec. 24: Dino is hauled to the vet, where Dr. Wales drills into the cannon bone and inserts pins to alleviate downward pressure on the break. To accomplish this, Dino is given a general anesthetic, the first of 13 that he will undergo over the next 7 months.
Dec. 25: No one feels much like celebrating. The family is realizing the enormity of their situation. Dino will be confined to his box stall until the leg has healed. Thom hasn't slept or left the barn for more than a few hours at a time. Their breeding program has come to a complete halt. And Dino's chances of recovery are slim. Dino, although obviously in pain, seems to know he has a big battle in front of him. He is quiet, cooperative and eating fairly well.
Jan. 6, 2002: Denise notices swelling above Dino's hock. Despite treament, it persists and by Jan. 14, blood is noticed oozing through the cast. Dino is hauled to the vet, where Dr. Wales discovers that the pins have come loose. New holes are drilled into the cannon bone and another cast is applied. It is now more critical than ever that Dino remain quiet.
Jan. 29: Once again, the pins are loose and must be removed. The cannon bone is in great jeopardy, and Thom and Denise wonder if they've done the right thing in trying to save their stallion. Dino continues to calmly accept his fate. He is completely in sync with the barn routine, watching horses and people come and go. The monotony of his day is broken by daily grooming and treats.
Feb. 27: Foaling season has begun, and Dino's first baby of 2002 is born, lifting the spirits of everyone. Dino has become quite used to his cast, walking on it and banging it against the wall when he is uncomfortable. He especially enjoys have his leg itched with a long stick inserted under the cast.
March: Dino receives 2 more cast changes, one after an abscess in his hoof. He is now able to leave the barn to be hand grazed on the newly sprouting spring grass. Dr. Wales and the Conti's are pleased with his progress, and their thoughts turn to the posibility of using him to breed.
March 25: Thom and Denise are successful in collecting from Dino while he stands in his stall. A very limited breeding season is underway. Between countless hours of hand grazing and breeding, Dino's days have become more interesting.
April, May, June: Dino has 4 more cast changes, and his x-rays show that the break is healing very well. In addition, an ultrasound confirms that the first bred mare is in foal.
July: Dino is able to free graze in a very small area just outside of the barn. Dr. Wales and the Conti's begin to discuss finally removing the cast. By July 18, the cast is totally gone, but the Conti's are shocked at the jelly-like condition of Dino's leg. Dr. Wales assures them that this is normal, but prescribes confinement to the stall until the leg gains strength.
August: Dino is again out in his small pen, enjoying the sum and keeping a watchful eye on his mares.
September: Panels are used to section off Dino's original field, and he has a bit more room to roam. His leg, although thicker and stiffer, is strong.
Sept. 23: The panels are removed from Dino's field and the Conti's know they made the right decision 9 months ago.
*Comment from Dr. Alex Wales:
The type of fracture that Dino suffered usually occurs during an athletic event such as in a race horse, a reiner, jumper, etc. I had never seen one of these types of fracture in a breeding horse, so had never repaired one. Due to the grace prognosis for a return to athletic function, an athlete with such a fracture would usually be put down. Since Dino is a valuable breeding stallion, and pasture soundness would be an acceptable outcome, the decision was made to try to save his life. I need to thank a number of equine surgical specialists with whom I consulted in order to take the best approach to save Dino.
Dino's successful treament was also very dependent on excellent nursing care provided by the entire Conti family. Without it Dino would not have stood a chance. This is truly the sort of case that makes practice very rewarding - a very nice horse, combined with excellent owners, and a favourable outcome to a difficult case. |
