Nemo

Nemo came into New Hope and has been treated at the Western College of Veterinarian Medicine. Nemo has damage to his right forelimb ulnar nerve with secondary muscle contracture.

It is thought that Nemo may have been hit by a car, which has resulted in damage to the nerves of his brachial plexus which supply the forelimb. Luckily for Nemo, he only seems to have dysfunction of his ulnar nerve at this stage. The ulnar nerve has a role in supplying sensation to the skin at the back of the leg as well as signals to the muscles which help Nemo to place his foot correctly. When the nerve was damaged the muscles supplied by this nerve were disused, leading to their atrophy and eventual contracture such that his foot is held in a flexed position. Nemo has learned how to walk with his foot knuckled over; we will need to stretch the muscles out so that he has an opportunity to learn how to place his foot correctly by flicking it forward.

It is possible that when he is older, or as a part of his recovery, he will need an orthopedic device called an orthotic which helps to hold the foot in the correct position for him. Nemo has had x-rays of the limb and there were no fractures detected. Nemo is currently having rehabilitation sessions with the WCVM team and a splint was placed to help hold his foot in the correct position. He is doing very well in his foster home.

Update: Nemo found his loving forever family just before the holiday season began in December of 2019.

Please consider donating towards our Guardians of Hope fund, these funds go directly towards Nemo’s medical costs and other medical cases we take in throughout the year.