Charlie Feb 2008

Charlie lived in Brooklyn for three years before owners decided they no longer had time for him. The three-year old yellow Lab was headed for dog pound until someone in NYC heard about it and offered to take him. The good Samaritan could not keep Charlie but planned to get him into a Rescue. Charlie had never been seen by a vet, while living in Brooklyn, so his savior took him to be neutered and inoculated and then contacted LILRR and asked if he could be accepted into our program ...

	... February 11, 2008: during Charlie's entry vet exam, needing heartworm titer and microchip, vet was concerned with what appeared to be an injured hind leg. X-rays showed his patella (kneecap) was pushed off to the side. Our vet recommends we take Charlie to Orthopedist for professional assessment and potential determination of corrective surgery.
Charlie continued on to the LILRR foster home ...

earliest appointment for Orthopedist was scheduled, for February 20th. In the interim, the naturally confused Charlie would have more healing time (neuter surgery) and start to learn another household and new routine.

February 20: the Orthopedist assessed Charlie, reviewed x-rays and determined he needed surgery to correct a severely dislocated kneecap (lateral patellar luxation). Surgery scheduled for February 26th.

	... day before surgery, Charlie enjoyed a warm relaxing bubble bath and body massage (he seemed to purr with contentment). Photo taken during towel dry.
February 26th: Orthopedist said surgery went well but Charlie must overnight for observation. surprise: once inside the leg, the surgeon discovered Charlie had this same surgery before ...either the prior surgery failed or the same knee was damaged again! ...
	... Charlie had been sleeping when it was time to leave and very drowsy when entering examining room. Poor sweet Charlie, so much pain in such a short lifetime. Charlie is on pain meds and antibiotics for a couple weeks and his activity kept controlled, low key, mild. Orthopedist prescribed the joint supplement, Cosequin. Vet hospital staff fell in love with Charlie and he greatly enjoyed their kindness and hospitality but he was ready to go home!
February 27: back in LILRR foster home, Charlie rests a lot. He must wear a head cone to prevent licking or chewing on that leg but the sweetheart is a good patient ...

Charlie will continue to recuperate and enjoy being spoiled a little with soothing belly rubs and peanut-butter-filled marrow bones. Orthopedist will remove the staples and examine him again in a few weeks. Charlie appreciates the get well wishes and sends his best thank you wag and kisses.

LILRR vet/medical expenses for Charlie total $2,870.70 (to date, including nonprofit discount).

A donation from you will help us continue to assist Charlie and other orphaned Labradors.

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6 week post-surgery checkup ...

Orthopedic surgeon said Charlie's knee bones are still healing and needs another checkup and xray in a few weeks ... if his knee cap is still wiggly, the surgeon must go back in to tighten it's placement. In the interim, his therapy will expand with focus to avoid yet another knee surgery.

After checkup, Charlie relished a

relaxing beach stroll ...

Please keep Charlie-Brown (aka, Charles-in-charge) in your well wishes!

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LILRR, a nonprofit charity since 1996, exists solely on private monetary donations, donations of

equipment, donations of food, donations of supplies and donated or discount services.