Gigi Strathe is a 13-year-old Bichon Frise dog. Her owners, Marlene Strathe and John Lowthian of Stillwater, Okla., noticed on Saturday, Feb. 28, that Gigi was not putting any weight on her right hind leg.

Gigi was brought immediately to the Emergency Room of the Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital located at Oklahoma State University’s (OSU) Center for Veterinary Health Sciences.

Within minutes she was examined and diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which means one of the ligaments crucial to the stability of her knee was damaged.

“She was given medication for the pain and to reduce the inflammation,” recalls Strathe. “Monday morning, I called to schedule her surgery. Luckily for us, they were able to work her in on Thursday, March 5.”

Gigi’s surgery was conducted by Dr. Mark Rochat, Small Animal Surgery Section Chief, assisted by Dr. Brent Newcomb, Resident in Small Animal Surgery, and Jennifer Jarvis, 4th year veterinary student.

“I can’t say enough about Drs. Rochat and Newcomb and Jennifer,” says Strathe. “I received a call immediately after surgery telling me how it went and what Gigi’s pattern of care would be. And since then, I have received one or two calls a day.

“Jennifer has been wonderful in terms of the care she has provided Gigi. She called me to see when I wanted to visit following Gigi’s surgery and was willing to meet me anytime that was convenient for me, even on the weekend.”

According to Dr. Rochat, Gigi’s prognosis for returning to her normal function is very good. Gigi stayed at the veterinary hospital for two weeks, receiving daily physical therapy, individualized exercise regimens, ice and pain management, and lots of loving care. She then returned home to her family and Cody, another Bichon Frise who is 7-years-old. The dogs have been receiving their veterinary care from the OSU Center for Veterinary Health Sciences since the family moved to Stillwater in 2003. Marlene Strathe, Ph.D., serves as the Provost and Senior Vice President of Oklahoma State University.

The OSU Center for Veterinary Health Sciences is one of 28 veterinary colleges in the United States and is fully accredited by the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association. The center’s Boren Veterinary Medial Teaching Hospital is open to the public and provides routine and specialized care for small and large animals. It also offers 24 hour emergency care and is certified by the American Animal Hospital Association. For more information, visit www.cvhs.okstate.edu or call 405-744-7000.

###