Tieke’s Road to Recovery at Builth Vets 🐾

Meet Tieke

Meet Tieke, a brave 5-year-old Huntaway cross who was recently brought to us after a serious accident. She collided with a car, sustaining a large injury to her side and major damage to her stifle (knee). It was clear that Tieke needed urgent care, so our team jumped into action right away.

Initial Treatment and Surgery

The first priority was to address the wound on her thorax. Laura sutured the wound to help it begin healing, but it soon became clear that Tieke’s stifle injury required more specialized attention. A few days after her initial treatment, we called in a visiting surgeon who, alongside Katie, performed a cranial closing wedge osteotomy and a collateral ligament repair to restore function to Tieke's damaged knee.

Challenges in Recovery

While the surgery was a success, Tieke’s thorax wound faced complications as it partially broke down, preventing it from healing as expected. This required the wound to heal by secondary intention, a process where the wound heals naturally from the inside out over time. This can take a little longer, but with diligent care, it’s the best option for full healing.

Katie has worked closely with Tieke’s wonderful owners, providing guidance on how to manage the wound healing and overseeing Tieke’s orthopedic rehabilitation. Their dedication to following the aftercare instructions has been incredible and has played a huge role in her recovery process.

Looking Ahead: Hydrotherapy for Full Recovery

As soon as the thorax wound has healed completely, Tieke will be ready to start hydrotherapy in our state-of-the-art hydrotherapy treadmill here at Builth Vets. Hydrotherapy is a key part of Tieke’s rehabilitation, helping her to strengthen her muscles and improve her mobility in a safe, controlled environment. It will be an important step in her full recovery, and we can’t wait to see her progress as she dives into her therapy sessions.