Rougaroux's Story (IOHC)
As the sun set on another training day, our world turned upside down from an injury that will haunt my mind forever. In the almost decade I have been training hunting retrievers, I have never once witnessed an event quite like this. Rougaroux was a fire-breathing dragon, and quite frankly one of the most naturally talented dogs I’ve had the pleasure of hunting over. Having just turned three years old, we were one week shy from what would have been his second Finished test–and this kid was on a roll. Clean marks and tight blinds all evening definitely earned him some “fun-bumpers” at the end of the day! Within a few seconds of me haphazardly tossing him a bumper, my gut wrenched as I heard the sound of screams break out, echoing across the grounds. As we rushed to him, his front right leg was twisted, gnarled, and hanging off limply. The ground was flat–no holes, hills, or anything he could have tripped over. He simply tumbled over a fun-bumper the same way he had a million times before. My immediate thought was a dislocated elbow, but my stomach reeled as I began to examine it–his elbow felt “crunchy,” for a lack of better words. This dog has OFA “NORMAL” elbows with no previous signs of lameness…what on Earth could have possibly happened?
The guttural screaming didn’t stop for the 30 minute drive to the emergency hospital. My training partner held his leg in place until we arrived as Roux attempted to bite him out of pain. My family arrived and sat with us in the waiting room while the entire staff worked frantically to get x-rays. Hearing him screaming in agony all the way from the room we were instructed to wait in absolutely broke me, as all I wanted to do was be there by his side. After what felt like forever, the doctor came out to the waiting room and uttered the phrase that no owner wants to hear: “I would consider putting him to sleep.”
I was astonished. The x-rays showed the ball of the humerus joint completely broken off, fractures, and full dislocation. No answers as to what the hell had happened and why an injury of this severity had occurred after such a normal and routine activity. The doctor was familiar with high-drive dogs, and did not recommend amputation of the front leg due to the quality of life after the fact with a dog of his temperament. My head was spinning… amputate or euthanize over a broken leg? I begged for alternative options, as surely there had to be another route we could take. The emergency hospital was able to get in contact with UF Small Animal Hospital in Gainesville, FL–2 hours North of us. Rougaroux’s x-rays were immediately sent to their Orthopedic Specialist, and within minutes we received a phone call telling me to get the dog there now. An Orthopedic Surgeon was willing to operate in an attempt to save his leg.
Roux sustained the injury around 8PM, and by 10PM we were beginning our 2-hour trek to Gainesville. I had a glimmer of hope that his leg could be salvaged, but knew that this was not a guarantee. We arrived at UF just after midnight. The team of veterinarians met us in the parking lot, wasting no time loading Roux on to a stretcher and wheeling him into the hospital for surgery. 16 plates and screws later, and Rougaroux’s surgery had been completed.
The surgeon who operated on Roux made the diagnosis of IOHC–the first time I had ever heard of this condition. He explained how the cartilage between the lateral and medial sides of the humeral condyle did not completely turn into bone, and how a section of fibrous tissue remained between them… essentially making his elbows a “ticking time bomb.” I was dumbfounded, as this dog had previously received his OFA CHIC certification and completed the full panel of recommended health testing for the breed. We checked all the boxes, did everything right, and somehow still managed to get the “Russian Roulette” of recessive genes.
After three days in the hospital, Rougaroux finally came home. He was to be kept on strict crate rest for a minimum of 12 weeks, with follow-up x-rays taken every other week for the duration. After 12 very long weeks (try sticking a working dog in a crate for 3 months…yikes!), Roux was cleared to begin rehabilitation therapy. Consistent cold laser therapy and hydrotherapy worked wonders, along with range of motion exercises. Slowly but surely, he began to regain use and strength of his leg.
Upon his last visit to UF, the doctor gave me a choice: Continue to “baby” him for the rest of his life, living in dread of the other elbow giving out someday–or let him be a dog. He has the condition; there is no changing that. I let Rougaroux move at his own pace once he had been cleared by the orthopedic team to do so. The resilience of these little brown dogs is like that of no other. Roux is now five years old, and since his surgery has continued to hunt in the winters, run BSS Upland Nationals, placed 1st in several club Roustabouts, won an AKC Major Win in the show ring, and has taken up the sport of Dock Diving in the off-season. His “someday” may come, but I owe it to the dog to let him live his life to the fullest. Rougaroux has forever earned the title of “Bionic Boykin,” and is a true representation of the grit and heart of the Boykin Spaniel breed.
Humeral condylar fissures and fractures occur more commonly in spaniels–namely Springer Spaniels and Cocker Spaniels–than other breeds. However, a $10,000 injury is nothing to sweep under the rug just because it's not as heard of in our beloved Boykin Spaniel breed. This is an incredibly expensive surgery if you can find a surgeon willing to operate. The key takeaways would be–advocate for your dog, do your own research (Trust me, it's out there.), and for the love of God, get pet insurance.
Adelaide E. Lloyd
The guttural screaming didn’t stop for the 30 minute drive to the emergency hospital. My training partner held his leg in place until we arrived as Roux attempted to bite him out of pain. My family arrived and sat with us in the waiting room while the entire staff worked frantically to get x-rays. Hearing him screaming in agony all the way from the room we were instructed to wait in absolutely broke me, as all I wanted to do was be there by his side. After what felt like forever, the doctor came out to the waiting room and uttered the phrase that no owner wants to hear: “I would consider putting him to sleep.”
I was astonished. The x-rays showed the ball of the humerus joint completely broken off, fractures, and full dislocation. No answers as to what the hell had happened and why an injury of this severity had occurred after such a normal and routine activity. The doctor was familiar with high-drive dogs, and did not recommend amputation of the front leg due to the quality of life after the fact with a dog of his temperament. My head was spinning… amputate or euthanize over a broken leg? I begged for alternative options, as surely there had to be another route we could take. The emergency hospital was able to get in contact with UF Small Animal Hospital in Gainesville, FL–2 hours North of us. Rougaroux’s x-rays were immediately sent to their Orthopedic Specialist, and within minutes we received a phone call telling me to get the dog there now. An Orthopedic Surgeon was willing to operate in an attempt to save his leg.
Roux sustained the injury around 8PM, and by 10PM we were beginning our 2-hour trek to Gainesville. I had a glimmer of hope that his leg could be salvaged, but knew that this was not a guarantee. We arrived at UF just after midnight. The team of veterinarians met us in the parking lot, wasting no time loading Roux on to a stretcher and wheeling him into the hospital for surgery. 16 plates and screws later, and Rougaroux’s surgery had been completed.
The surgeon who operated on Roux made the diagnosis of IOHC–the first time I had ever heard of this condition. He explained how the cartilage between the lateral and medial sides of the humeral condyle did not completely turn into bone, and how a section of fibrous tissue remained between them… essentially making his elbows a “ticking time bomb.” I was dumbfounded, as this dog had previously received his OFA CHIC certification and completed the full panel of recommended health testing for the breed. We checked all the boxes, did everything right, and somehow still managed to get the “Russian Roulette” of recessive genes.
After three days in the hospital, Rougaroux finally came home. He was to be kept on strict crate rest for a minimum of 12 weeks, with follow-up x-rays taken every other week for the duration. After 12 very long weeks (try sticking a working dog in a crate for 3 months…yikes!), Roux was cleared to begin rehabilitation therapy. Consistent cold laser therapy and hydrotherapy worked wonders, along with range of motion exercises. Slowly but surely, he began to regain use and strength of his leg.
Upon his last visit to UF, the doctor gave me a choice: Continue to “baby” him for the rest of his life, living in dread of the other elbow giving out someday–or let him be a dog. He has the condition; there is no changing that. I let Rougaroux move at his own pace once he had been cleared by the orthopedic team to do so. The resilience of these little brown dogs is like that of no other. Roux is now five years old, and since his surgery has continued to hunt in the winters, run BSS Upland Nationals, placed 1st in several club Roustabouts, won an AKC Major Win in the show ring, and has taken up the sport of Dock Diving in the off-season. His “someday” may come, but I owe it to the dog to let him live his life to the fullest. Rougaroux has forever earned the title of “Bionic Boykin,” and is a true representation of the grit and heart of the Boykin Spaniel breed.
Humeral condylar fissures and fractures occur more commonly in spaniels–namely Springer Spaniels and Cocker Spaniels–than other breeds. However, a $10,000 injury is nothing to sweep under the rug just because it's not as heard of in our beloved Boykin Spaniel breed. This is an incredibly expensive surgery if you can find a surgeon willing to operate. The key takeaways would be–advocate for your dog, do your own research (Trust me, it's out there.), and for the love of God, get pet insurance.
Adelaide E. Lloyd
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