Danica Patrick Has Been Going Through A Tough Time With Her Dog
STAFFORD SPRINGS, CONNECTICUT - JUNE 12: CBS driver analysts, Danica Patrick looks on during practice for the Inaugural Superstar Racing Experience Event at Stafford Motor Speedway on June 12, 2021 in Stafford Springs, Connecticut. (Photo by Elsa/SRX via Getty Images)
If you're a dog owner, you understand how frustrating and frightening it can be when your pup isn't feeling well and you don't know why.
Former race car driver and current analyst Danica Patrick has been dealing with a situation like that since February. In an emotional Instagram post on Wednesday, Patrick detailed her dog Ella's recent health issues.
Since February, Patrick said Ella had been limping on an off. It was suspected that she had an ACL tear, and while some changes in routine helped, the problem persisted.
After an X-ray was taken a month ago, doctors recommended a TPLO surgery, which involves cutting the bottom of the leg in half and resetting the angle of it.
"I also asked about stem cells since I had just been to Costa Rica for them and was told there was no evidence that worked," Patrick said. "I also had to request a scope first before they cut the leg in half to confirm it was the ACL and was over a 50% tear. It all felt really fast and aggressive."
After some second thoughts, Patrick decided to seek another opinion, and it's a good thing she did. As it turns out, Ella did not have a problem with her ACL, after all.
"I came home after that appt (having set a surgery date for the next week) and cried. Something didn’t feel right to do that when she was walking right by me perfectly fine. So I reached out to my good buddy @pjchesson who has gone really deep into the health of his dogs and he said I have the guy for you. @shermancanapp. I immediately felt comfortable with his approach, it all made sense, and was so happy to go slower to make sure it wasn’t anything else other than the ACL.
"Fast forward to yesterday. She had NO ACL issue! It was a different ligament that actually held the leg from sliding back…. Which the TPLO surgery would of made worse!!!!! And she had a whole bunch of other things going on too… which stem cells were great for as well as PRP. We did both knees and harvested fat to be sent to a lab so I have stem cells to use at any point!"
We're very happy to hear that Ella was eventually correctly diagnosed and is on the road to a full recovery.
Kudos to Patrick for being a fantastic dog mom.
