The Zuma Update:

The good news is that it could have been worse. (It could have been farther up the foot joint, which would have meant permanent immobility to the majority of the foot.)

The bad news is that.... it is bad news.

First, the vet-surgeon said he didn't have enough information to make an informed decision with just the regular vet's adequate, but not detailed enough, x-ray. The only way that he could provide an educated suggestion for Zuma's care was to remove the splint, for Zuma to be put under and perform "Stress X-rays", which is where they bend and flex the injured portion of her foot to see the exact part of her foot that is injured and how extensive the injury. In an attempt to stem costs, we negotiated with him to see if there was any way that he could examine Zuma's foot before she was put under and the series of x-rays were taken. He agreed that under sedation he could examine and palpitate her foot to asses the "stability" of the foot, but if he did not find sufficient stability, then he would have to perform the x-rays to get a thorough picture of the injury that would have to be surgically repaired. (Sufficient stability would mean that it would be possible to treat her foot "medically" with just a cast/splint for an extended period of time.) We left Zuma with Dr. Messigher and he took her right back to perform the procedure. Today's procedure cost $489.

We got the call about an hour later. Not good results.
Per the report, Zuma has "SEVERE MEDIAL INSTABILITY OF THE LEFT TARSOMETATARSAL JOINT", and she only has some lateral stability; meaning, that the dislocation of the bones and her muscular structures/ligaments are so injured, that left to heal on it's own, it would not support her weight and she would not have use of her foot. SURGERY is NECESSARY, there is no other way to treat this injury. The surgery will actually fuse the joint, two screws will be put in and a figure-8 shaped wire would be put on the screws to simulate a ligament and provide the needed stability; the surgery is called a TARSOMETATARSAL ARTHRODESIS. Cost is estimated for the surgery at $2200 to $2300, with the nurse suggesting the later amount as more likely, and payable at the time of service, no financing.

With no other possible course of treatment as an option, we had no choice but to book the surgery for next Tuesday, August 7th, waiting will only allow time for scar tissue to form and complicate the surgery. Zuma will be facing 1, potentially 2, nights at the vet's office, and SIX WEEKS of LIVING ISOLATED AND SEDATED IN A CRATE, this is non-negotiable. And then at least one, more likely 2, follow up check-ups at $100 each, to include x-rays, to monitor the repair and healing.

Zuma was sedated and VERY sensitive to having anyone near her foot for the rest of today. We are watching for nausea and vomiting. So that was what the rest of our day was like today. Except that a pipe burst at the club and Mike was called in to duty.

This is a very stressful and heart wrenching time. I keep looking at Zuma (who's splint is bright red like Caleb's cast was) and she yelps and looks at me as if begging for help, and there is nothing I can do. But I wanted to say thank you to Grammy for watching Caleb and Jockey while we attended to the needs of our other family member.