Five-month-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy, Misty, is on the mend thanks to PDSA Vets.

When Misty, a five-month-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, suffered a painful collision with the sofa, she needed emergency surgery to repair a fracture near her kneecap.

Speaking about Misty, her owner Sophie (31, unemployed) said: “I chose the name Misty because she has a misty blue coat, and also because of the song ‘Misty Blue’ by Dorothy Moore. She’s a beautiful dog with a loving and caring temperament. She’s very affectionate too - she especially likes it when I stroke her paws.”

One afternoon at home, things took a sudden turn when Sophie heard Misty yelp out in pain.

​She explained: “Misty was running around the house doing her usual zoomies when she jumped onto the sofa and hit her back right leg. She squealed out in pain, so I immediately knew something was wrong. I ran over and realised she couldn’t put her paw down to walk properly. I called Birmingham (Aston) PDSA Pet Hospital, who told me to bring her in for an emergency appointment.”

On examination, Namnish Heran, a Vet at Birmingham (Aston) PDSA, was concerned at how painful Misty was on her leg.

Namnish said: “Misty’s leg was very uncomfortable, and her knee was swollen. We were worried that she may have a fracture, so we gave her medication to reduce the swelling and arranged an X-ray.”

Misty was given pain relief injections, and X-rays were scheduled for the following day. Sadly, when the X-rays were taken under general anaesthetic, the results showed a tibial tuberosity fracture (the bump of bone just below the kneecap), which would need surgery to repair. 

Namnish added: “We tend to see this injury in younger dogs whose bones are still developing, often after a blow to the knee, which happened when Misty hit the sofa. If the fracture is not operated on, the leg can remain painful and may not function properly.”

Sophie said: “I was really nervous when I was told that Misty needed surgery, especially because of her age. She was just five months old then, and I didn’t know how she would cope.” 

Thankfully, Misty’s fracture repair surgery and anaesthetic went well. She was reunited with Sophie later that day with pain relief, antibiotics to give at home, and instructions for strict rest.

Sophie continued: “Misty needed to limit her movements after surgery to allow the pins to stay in place and her fracture to heal, so I made sure she got plenty of rest. She was only allowed out to the garden on a short lead to go to the toilet. Seeing her not be her usual playful self was hard, but I knew how important it was for her to rest properly. Now, Misty has fully recovered, and she’s back to being a happy, healthy puppy. 

“I don’t know what I would’ve done without PDSA, as I don’t know how I would have afforded the treatment she needed. Misty was well looked after from her operation to her long recovery, and the team supported me through everything. I can’t thank them enough for helping my Misty!”

Cost of Misty’s treatment: £1,040.89

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