Emmie’s second chance
At just four months old, Emmie should have been discovering the world on four fast growing legs.
Instead, the beautiful fawn Staghound was taken to an afterhours veterinary clinic in Launceston with a badly fractured hind leg and an uncertain future.
Emmie’s family was facing an incredibly difficult situation. The specialist surgery she needed was beyond what they were able to manage, and the heartbreaking possibility of euthanasia was being considered.
The veterinary team reached out to North East Animal Sanctuary, who immediately stepped in. They took Emmie into their care and committed to raising the money needed for her treatment, giving this young puppy a second chance.
The beginning of her recovery
A veterinary clinic in Scottsdale repaired Emmie’s fracture by placing a bone plate to stabilise the break.
Because Emmie was still growing and the fracture was close to the growth plate, the following weeks were critical. Her activity needed to be carefully restricted while the bone healed.
Keeping an energetic four-month-old Staghound quiet was no easy task, but the team at North East Animal Sanctuary did an incredible job. Their commitment paid off, with follow up X rays showing that Emmie’s fracture was healing beautifully.
As Emmie’s journey was shared on Facebook, a member of the Forth Valley Vet Clinic team began following her progress. With a special love for hounds, she quickly fell in love with Emmie and offered to adopt her while continuing the next stage of her recovery.
Learning to move confidently again
As Emmie was growing rapidly, the plate needed to be removed so it did not interfere with the normal development of her leg.
Five weeks after her first operation, Emmie underwent a second major surgery at Forth Valley Vet Clinic. Dr Jahk carefully removed the plate, and thankfully, the procedure went smoothly.
The fracture had healed, but Emmie’s recovery was not yet complete. After weeks in a cast and with restricted movement, her injured leg had lost considerable strength and flexibility.
With rehabilitation guidance from the Forth Valley Vet Clinic team, Emmie’s new "Mum" began the patient work of helping her rebuild her mobility.
She started with gentle lead walking on flat ground. This progressed to exercises encouraging her to place more weight through the affected leg, followed by walking over small hurdles and eventually tackling gentle hills.
Each stage was introduced gradually as her strength and confidence improved.
Emmie’s experience shows that repairing an injury is only one part of recovery. Rehabilitation, controlled activity and a carefully managed return to exercise are also essential for rebuilding muscle and restoring comfortable movement.
Emmie and her best mate Tank
Back where she belongs
Emmie is now nine months old and has regained normal use of her leg.
She lives on a farm with her greyhound brother, Tank. They are best mates, although Tank remains firmly in charge and puts up with a great deal from his energetic younger sister.
These days, Emmie spends her time racing him across the paddocks.
She is not beating him yet, but she is getting closer.
Emmie’s story is a wonderful example of what compassion, generosity, veterinary care and patient rehabilitation can achieve. Thanks to North East Animal Sanctuary, the veterinary teams and her adoptive family, Emmie was given more than a repaired leg.
She was given the chance to run again.
