Poppy is reunited with her owners Abbey Flower, 12, and Chelsea Flower, 15, after spending time at the vet with a broken leg. PICTURE: LACHLAN BENCE
POPPY the puppy learned the hard way last week about the dangers of chasing cats.
The 12-week-old Cavalier King Charles broke her leg on Wednesday after falling on it while in hot pursuit.
She returned home to 15-year-old Chelsea Flower, who received Poppy for Christmas, on Friday after receiving surgery.
“She just tried to chase the cat – I was nursing her on a chair, and she leaped down to chase the cat and fell down on her side and just started yelping,” Chelsea’s mother Lorraine Flower said.
Eureka Vetinary Clinic’s Dr Rob Page said Poppy had damaged the humerus through the growth plates.
“It’s minor trauma, a fracture just above the knee, but pretty serious for a puppy. We’ve had to put in a screw and pin,” Dr Page said.
“We’ve been dealing with very small bones, so we need to get it all to fit perfectly back together. All the stars needed to align and thankfully they did.
“Without the surgery, it wouldn’t have knit well back together on its own.”
Dr Page said the bandage would be removed within a few days, and Poppy would be up and running within a month.
“She should have a good recovery now, and live a happy and long life with the girls.”
Mrs Flower said she couldn’t believe how much the whole family had missed Poppy.
“The house has just been so quiet the past two days wRithout her.”