For most people and their dogs a walk alongside the Ashby canal constitutes a leisurely stroll as the narrow boats chug by. Not so for "Polly" the springer spaniel. Having forgotten her favourite toy for a moment whilst crossing one of the canal bridges "Polly" decided to follow the shortest route back to where her toy lay...............straight down off the bridge onto the ground 20 foot below!

Sadly her enthusiasm was not matched by her physical capabilities! Springer spaniels appear to have an inherent weakness in their elbows which means that the principal bone of this joint (humerus) fails to calcify adequately. This leaves an area which is "softer" and therefore more prone to injury.

Sure enough when "Polly" landed this bone then fractured along this line of weakness leaving her with a shattered elbow joint. Accurate reconstruction using bone screws offers the best chance of any return to normality and thus far seems to have been achieved judging by the way "Polly" was walking on the affected leg only 24 hours after surgery.

Now if only someone could explain to "Polly" that she is not designed to jump from such heights that would leave the surgeon feeling a little less anxious about her recovery. At least she has been re-united with her favourite toy!

Terry Dunne BVMS, Cert SAO, MRCVS

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