Murphy Update
Murphy has suffered an evulsion of the brachial plexus. If you were ever a football player this is an extreme version of what is known as a "stinger" in which your arm goes numb and limp when hit on the shoulder just right to mash the brachial plexus. As in dogs, the condition can be permanent in humans, if the damage is severe enough.
Here's a diagram of the brachial plexus in humans. (I couldn't find a decent one for dogs but both are pretty much the same.) Needless to say, it's a complicated bunch of nerves affecting everything below the shoulder.
I'm calling vet schools this morning to see if any of them are doing brachial plexus surgery. Now, that is harder than you might think because the want to speak with the vet. I explained that when I checked with Nash Williams on Murphy's condition this morning he had his arm stuck up a sick cow's butt and was kinda busy. (Apparently cows get sick when they eat acorns.)
Sam was moping this morning and I took her to see Murphy at the hospital. Murph bolted out of the kennel and proceeded to get in a wrestling match with Sam as if nothing had ever happened. Anyhow, Murphy is quickly learning to walk and run on three legs. The funniest thing was watching him try to mark a tree from the right side. That means, of course, his weight shifted to the left side. The left front leg offered no support, of course, and poor Murph tilted over in wonderment. He shifted to the left side with better results.
Nash was dressed in the same dirty tee shirt and jeans as when I left the hospital at 10:00 last night. He told me when I asked that he was awakened at 12:30 for a sick dog and again at 3:30 for a horse. He is a truly amazing person.
More later, if and when I hear from the vet schools.
Whatever the outcome, I have every reason to believe that Murphy will continue to be the same wonderful dog for many years to come, three good legs or four.
Here's a diagram of the brachial plexus in humans. (I couldn't find a decent one for dogs but both are pretty much the same.) Needless to say, it's a complicated bunch of nerves affecting everything below the shoulder.
I'm calling vet schools this morning to see if any of them are doing brachial plexus surgery. Now, that is harder than you might think because the want to speak with the vet. I explained that when I checked with Nash Williams on Murphy's condition this morning he had his arm stuck up a sick cow's butt and was kinda busy. (Apparently cows get sick when they eat acorns.)
Sam was moping this morning and I took her to see Murphy at the hospital. Murph bolted out of the kennel and proceeded to get in a wrestling match with Sam as if nothing had ever happened. Anyhow, Murphy is quickly learning to walk and run on three legs. The funniest thing was watching him try to mark a tree from the right side. That means, of course, his weight shifted to the left side. The left front leg offered no support, of course, and poor Murph tilted over in wonderment. He shifted to the left side with better results.
Nash was dressed in the same dirty tee shirt and jeans as when I left the hospital at 10:00 last night. He told me when I asked that he was awakened at 12:30 for a sick dog and again at 3:30 for a horse. He is a truly amazing person.
More later, if and when I hear from the vet schools.
Whatever the outcome, I have every reason to believe that Murphy will continue to be the same wonderful dog for many years to come, three good legs or four.
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