Coral Springs Animal Hospital's Pawfessional PAWfessional Summer 2017 | Page 24

The Case of the Ruptured Calcaneal Tendon By: Deana J Cappucci-Lorentz, BS, LVT, CCRA, CCMT, VTS (Physical Rehabilitation)-OC— Coral Springs Animal Hospital Specialty Nurse in Physical Rehabilitation Maya, a two year old, 6 kg female spayed Cockapoo presented to her primary veterinarian in March 2016 for right pelvic limb lameness after being bit on the tarsus by her housemate. Upon examination and radiographs, there were no palpable fractures, but there was a small wound at the level of the calcaneal tendon. The wound was addressed accordingly and a soft bandage was placed around the right tarsus. Maya was given buprenorphine 0.01mg/kg IM and enrofloxacin 5mg/kg SQ, and sent home with firocoxib 10mg/kg PO QD and enrofloxacin 6mg/kg PO BID. Owners were directed to follow up every few days for bandage changes. Ten days later, Maya was still lame on the right pelvic limb. The owners were not restricting her activity as directed. Maya had been jumping on and off the couch, running around, and playing with housemates. The wound had healed but Maya had a plantigrade stance on the right pelvic limb with severe laxity of the right tarsus. At this point Maya was referred to a board-certified surgeon. Two weeks after the initial injury, Maya presented to a board-certified surgeon and examination revealed the right tarsus was dropped and hyperextended, as well as bilateral medial patellar luxation (grade 2/4). Swelling was palpated along the right distal calcaneal tendon, proximal to base of the gastrocnemius muscle. A partial full tear of the calcaneal tendon (comprised of the gastrocnemius, gracilis, semitendinosus, biceps femoris, and superficial digital flexor tendon) or an avulsion of the gastrocnemius muscle was suspected. Due to the severity of the injury, surgery was advised. Surgical correction was offered as the preferred method; however it was explained to the owners that if