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This is the story, at least as much as we know, about little Fergus. He has a severly fractured leg after he was hit by a car around Christmas time.

In late December 2007 (exact date unknown, this boy was brought into a vet in the Marysville, California area, after being hit by a car. The Good Samaritan who brought him to the vet indicated an interest in possibly adopting this Springer, but nothing was ever heard from him after he dropped the dog off.

On December 30, 2007, he was transferred to the Yuba County Sheriff's Department, Animal Care Services. On the original kennel card, he was shown wearing a soft cast and it's assumed that  the original vet put this on.  It was when his picture appeared on Pet Harbor that ESRA indicated an interest in taking this boy into rescue.

It was on January 4, 2008, that ESRA volunteers Martin and Joyce Woy, who made the original contact with the shelter, arranged for the dog to be brought to a vet in the Marysville area to have the leg x-rayed, but due to the storms in the area, and a loss of power, this was postponed until Monday, January 7.

Dr. Tucker called the Woys on January 7, to report that the leg was severely splintered from a high speed impact, and that he was not capable of performing the necessary surgery to repair it. He said the best he could do was put an external metal brace pinned to the leg to stabilize it, and he would have to see the dog weekly after such a procedure. Since there was no foster home in the area to take him in, it was decided to transfer him to Antioch where we would care for him.

January 7, 2008: After viewing the x-ray, the shelter vet noted: "Comminuted mid tibial fracture: cannot verify open or closed without bandage/cast removal. Notes and locale of staples suggest bone fragments may not be open to outside. Fracture is readily repairable with EX-Fix or bone plates. Did not recommend external coaptation but it should be considered over euthanasia".

Fergus was released to ESRA on January 8, and delivered to his Antioch foster home. It was that day that Fergus officially got his name (aka Fergie), and went to our vet in Antioch. It was agreed that the leg should be repaired as soon as possible, as the cast had been on for over a week and there was no telling what was underneath. Our vet made arrangements with an orthopedic surgeon in Concord to do the surgery, and luckily, he was available the next day.

Surgery was accomplished the following day. The operation on Fergie's leg was quite involved and took five hours to complete (see the x-ray with pins, staples and plate). After the wound was sutured and closed, a cast (split in the middle with the two pieces bandaged together to allow easy removal) was put on. His recovery went smoothly, and Fergus came home on Friday, January 11th.

Plate and pins and staples, but his leg is saved!	Another view, uggh... but he'll run again!

Fergus is on Cephalexin to prevent infection, Tramadol for pain, and also has a Fentanyl transdermal patch to also help with pain. Because of the wet weather, his cast has to be covered with a plastic bag whenever he goes outside to prevent expansion of the cast. He now is wearing an E-collar to prevent his chewing on the cast after we noticed some of the bandage under the cast showing.

Fergus is a sweet, mellow dog, who knows basic commands (though Sit is a bit tough right now), is not demanding, and has handled all this recent trauma in his life with the dignity of a Springer. His expenses have been really high, but we know he's worth it all! Costs for followup treatments, including a once-a-week changing of the cast, are unknown at this time, but ESRA could SURE use your help covering them!

Update 23 JAN 08: Fergie made his second vet visit today to have his cast changed. Because the incision had healed so well (see the pictures), the stitches were removed and a new cast put on. This cast will remain on for another two weeks at which time it will be removed. As usual, Fergie was an excellent patient.

His progress has been remarkable. Many times he uses all four legs; others, he hops on three. His latest accomplishment is standing on the injured leg while he uses his other hind leg to scratch himself. Through it all, he has maintained his sweet disposition with never a complaint.

Update 19 FEB 08: After visiting his vet on Sunday, and having two xrays taken, Fergie's leg is well on its way to healing. The vet was so encouraged that he removed the half cast and bandage, and it's now up to Fergie to start using the leg to strengthen it. For the most part, he is still doing the three-legged hop but the leg does bear his weight when he stands still. Now as long as he doesn't decide to take a flying leap off of anything, he is well on the road to recovery. He and I both want to thank all his wonderful sponsors for their continued support!

For more information on Fergus' current condition,

Contact: Marie-Claire Starr marieclairestarr@yahoo.com

Click Here To Sponsor Fergus

FERGUS' GENEROUS SPONSORS TO DATE:
Pomela Flanigan	In memory of Sami, April, and Brandi.
Kathleen Engberg
Charlene and Bryan Black	In memory of Toby.
Renee and Don Holmes	In loving memory of Bailey and Maxwell Wingo.
Megan Brown	In loving memory of Nicki, Opus, and Star - our original pack.
Mary Ellen Nugent	In memory of Mortimer.
Cathryne Slaughter	In memory of Barney, BlackJack, and Belle.
Karl and Linda Lintz	In memory of all the special ESRA Springers that were saved in 2007, and especially the ones that still wait for their Forever Homes.  We love them ALL!
Lori Tillman
Susan Moore	In memory of Spencer and Freckles.
Monica and Ray Smith	Hope you're up to speed soon! Bailey, Chance, and Benji Smith.
Randy and Mary Kertzman	In memory of Jake.
Martha Erikson
Diane Westlake
Heidi Thomas-Dunn	From one rescued Springer to another. In honor of our Buster.
Cary Branthwaite	In memory of my first Springers, Jack and Gus, and our current ESRA rescue, Muffin.
Sheila Mullins
Kitty Devaney	Bones heal!  Hang in there and you'll be good as new!
Jan Noll	You'll do great! I have a plate in my leg, and it doesn't stop me!  Love, Lucy
Bruce and Peggy Mews	In memory of Morgan.
John and Susan Dudley	In memory of C.C., our first Springer.
Billy Rowe	In memory of my best friend, and the most beautiful Springer, Delta Rowe.
Elizabeth Rohnstock
Karen Barone	To Fergus from Specs, so you can live and play like I do.
Jameson Wandling	In memory of Ceasar, the coolest dog I've known.
Sandra Benford	In memory of my wonderful Bramble. I miss you!
Wayne and Mary Gilbert	In memory of Winchester, Kenosha, Pesto, and Jessica. Wishing a speedy recovery and back to chasing rabbits and squirrels.
Maureen Williams	In memory of Chester.
Paul and Linda Harris	In memory of Toby.
Kathleen and Rob Kravets	In memory of Holly.
Bill and Vicki Wingo	In memory of Bailey and Maxwell Smart.
Debbie Sonntag	In memory of Cody and Miles, my loving boys.
Harley and Winston Forrest	In honor of our mama on Valentine's Day. Love, Harley & Winston.
Mark and Marti Sota	Romp on, Fergie!
HeatherAnne Likout	With love, time, and great foster parents, these dogs do great! Kisses and butt scratches, Fergus! With love, Chance(woof), Gracie(woof), HeatherAnne, Dave, and Quinn, in Seattle.
Denise and Eddie Perry	In loving memory of Dawn.
Kevin Harris
Jean Hilton	Because of Apple, a special senior Springer who now has a person.
John Dudley	In memory of C.C., our first Springer.
Loren Nelson	In loving memory of Monty.
Paula Hodge	In memory of Maude and Mandy.
Connie L. Hardy	In memory of Freddie.
Bob Knell	In memory of Samantha, Joshua, Rose, and Brady.