Creed’s Story
When a young dog named Creed was hit by a car and left with a serious leg injury, a coordinated effort and advanced fracture repair gave him a chance to heal and move forward.
Creed was found on the streets of Rochester, New York, after being struck by a vehicle and dragged. A concerned bystander brought him to a local shelter, where his injuries were quickly recognized as severe.
Complex Fracture After Car Accident
“This guy had a very rough start,” said Cristina Cadavieco, DVM, Medical Director at Lollypop Farm. “He clearly had not had any real vet care previously. He came to us with bad road rash and a long, oblique fracture of his right rear leg.”
The combination of a complex fracture and soft-tissue damage made the case especially challenging. Because the injury had gone untreated for several days, the risk of complications was higher, and time was critical.
Urgent Orthopedic Referral
Creed was referred to the Cornell University Hospital for Animals for evaluation and surgical care.
“Lollypop Farms has referred complicated orthopedic cases to us for years,” said Ursula Krotscheck, DVM, DACVS-SA. “It was a bad fracture with soft-tissue trauma, and since he had been injured for days before coming to us, the risk of complications goes up.”
With the cost of surgery and the urgency of the situation, the team worked to find a solution that would give Creed the best chance at keeping his leg.
OrthoLine™ Fracture Repair
To stabilize the fracture, the surgical team used the OrthoLine fracture management system, which was donated to support the case.
“Thanks to Arthrex, this dog still has a leg,” said Dr. Krotscheck. “The fact that Arthrex is willing to donate products to cases like Creed’s is very rare and very much appreciated. These plates are excellent products that come in a wide variety of sizes, giving us the ability to customize the implant to what the animal needs during surgery.”
Fracture plates and screws are used to hold the bone in proper alignment, allowing it to heal while restoring strength and stability to the limb.
Recovery After Fracture Surgery
Following surgery, Creed began the recovery process under close care.
“We really are so grateful; amputation was the only other option for him. Orthopedic procedures take a lot of care, money, and time,” said Dr. Cadavieco. “Now we just hope we can find him a good family who will give him the life he deserves.”
With stabilization in place, his prognosis improved, giving him the opportunity to heal and regain function in his leg.
A New Beginning for Creed
Creed remained in recovery as his injuries healed, with a good to excellent outlook for returning to normal activity.
What began as a devastating injury on the side of the road became a path forward, thanks to timely care and a team determined to give him a chance. With his leg preserved and healing underway, Creed now had the opportunity not just to recover, but to move toward a life that once seemed uncertain.
