UDPATE on Rudy – Annapolis Fire Dept.’s Explosion Detection K9
Final Vet Checkup tomorrow, Monday, March 26, at noon
Annapolis, MD (March 25, 2018) – In December 2017, Rudy, the Annapolis Fire Department’s Explosion Detection K9, was diagnosed with a bone injury that needed immediate surgery. With the help of The Chesapeake K9 Fund and Veterinary Orthopedic Sport Medicine’s (VOSM) Project GO program, Rudy was able to not only receive his surgery at no cost to city taxpayers, but his post-operative rehabilitation as well.
His surgery took place on December 20 and following a successful few months of physical therapy and rehab care, Rudy will return to service after his final checkup at VOSM, TOMORROW, MONDAY, MARCH 26, at NOON, located at 10975 Guilford Rd, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701. He will gradually return to full service.
“Thank you to the volunteers at The Chesapeake K9 Fund for their ongoing support of service dogs in the first responder community and especially to the amazing veterinarians at VOSM led by Dr. Sherman Canapp,” said Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley. “It is great to see Rudy returning to service helping protect the citizens of and visitors to our city! Our K9 units are a vital part of our public safety program.”
Rudy’s 12-week recheck on Monday will include the following:
- Radiographs to ensure bone healing;
- Performance of an objective gait analysis to ensure no evidence of residual lameness;
- Measurements of muscle mass to ensure proper symmetry and function;
- Verification of good range of motion including muscle strength; and
- Assessment of the opposite stifle (knee) to ensure that it’s stable.
Over the next one-to-two months, Rudy’s veterinarians advise a gradual return to activity and a lifelong joint supplement to protect the cartilage.
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