FACTS:

1. Dog was hit by car 3 days ago Ð trauma is indicated, observation by owner
2. 17 month old intact male Doberman Ð younger dog, intact indicates it may be prone 
to roaming the neighborhood and have more of a chance to run out in the street.
3. Non -weight bearing on both hind legs Ð Could indicate a fracture to the limbs caused 
by HBC
4. Treated with LRS IV for 48 hours, 500 mg Prednisolone sodium succinate IV in 2 
doses over 12 hours, Duragesic 25 mg/ hr for 1st 24 hrs., Butorphanol 5mg IM, 
Cephalozin 700 mg SC BID 1st day and 1000 mg PO BID following. Ð Has been 
taken to another veterinarian for initial critical care.
5. Condition has stabilized and no progression is noted. Ð Dog is stable so we can 
address other issues besides the initial emergency trauma treatment.
6. No known previous problems Ð We can assume this dog is healthy other than the 
problems caused by the trauma
7. Distemper and Parvo vaccines due Ð Not extremely important to this case but it is 
something we should remember so when the dog is treated we can follow up with his 
yearly vaccines
8. Dewormed a few weeks ago with pet store dewormer- No relevance to this hit by car 
issue
9. Fed 4 cups ÒBig RedÓ dog food daily Ð This dog is not fed a very high quality diet 
which could suggest that nutritional bone deformities could be apparent.  This is a 
large breed dog and relatively young- if the nutrition wasnÕt optimal the dogÕs bones 
could have been predisposed to injury due to weakness or other limb deformities  
causing instability.
10. Inside / Outside dog Ð Indicates that the dog has access to outside and has access to 
roaming the neighborhood again predisposing that the dog could be hit by a car. 
11. T: 99.3, P: 60, R: 18, weight- 67 lbs. Ð TPR are slightly below normal which could 
indicate that the dog is recovering from the initial trauma and possible shock.
12. Superficial and deep pain in both hind legs and tail and perineum. Ð This helps us 
localize the trauma to the hindlimbs and pelvis and back end of the dog.
13. Reflex responses inconsistent and not repetitive Ð This is a learning issue for the 
group to research.  This could suggest neurologic involvement.
14. Motor function present in both hind legs and tail Ð This indicates the spinal cord has 
not been severed resulting in paralysis.
15. Superficial skin abrasions on lateral side. Ð Due to the trauma from HBC, dog could 
have been drug after being hit causing the abrasions.
16.  Right hind leg is also swollen distal to stifle. Ð This could indicate a fracture which is 
supported by the non-weight bearing lameness in the hind limb.
17. Left hindlimb swollen down to toes Ð Indicative of a fracture or inflammation within 
the soft tissues due to the trauma.
18. Palpable instability of right tibia, tibia is not continuous in midshaft area. Ð This is 
suggestive of a fracture to the tibia.  Supported by swelling, non-weight bearing 
lameness, etc.
19. Joint appears normal in right hindlimb. Ð There is no apparent trauma to the joint 
capsule and this reduces the chances of infection which could lead to osteomyelitis.
20. Upper left hind is very swollen. Ð See number 17 above.
21. Abnormal movement and crepitation in upper femur Ð The upper femur could have 
been fractured as well and the fracture may be open due to the crepitation suggesting 
accumulation of free air within the limb.
22. Upper left hind abnormalities cannot be localized to femur, hip joint, pelvis Ð This 
tells us that the injury is within this area but as of yet cannot be localized to the exact 
location.  Radiographs will help diagnose this.
23. Everything else is normal except for diffuse subcutaneous fluid accumulation Ð The 
SC fluid accumulation is from the administration of the LRS over the past 2 days.  
The dogs hydration status will affect whether this fluid is distributed throughout  the 
body or will remain in the area the fluids were administered.
24. Bones and joints of the remainder of legs appear to be normal Ð There is no other 
fractures / trauma to the forelimbs or any other areas of the limbs that werenÕt 
indicated above.  A full physical exam should still be performed to check for internal 
bleeding, ruptures of organs, etc.
25. No pain palpated along spine Ð Indicates the spine was not involved in the injury.  
There may still be neurologic involvement such as damage to the pelvic limb nerves, 
however, the lack of pain in the spine suggests little to no damage of the vertebrae, 
spinal cord, etc.