Patrick

There are not a lot of things in this world that are worse that we can imagine then hearing a young animal cry out in pain and fear. That is exactly what happened this past weekend to a family who’s community is partnered with Canine Action Project when this young pup was thought to have had something fall onto his back. This poor boy, just 3 months old, was found with little to no use of his hindquarters leaving the family and rescuers to rally to him to ensure that he wouldn’t know pain for long. He was rushed to a veterinarian clinic and a quick x-ray determined that he was suffering from a small chip/crack in one of his vertebrae just before his pelvis. Because he has control over his bladder, with the exception of excitement piddles, and bowels there seemed to be hope for him that time and pain control would bring down the swelling in his spinal cord.

One of our dedicated foster homes was out with Canine Action Project and met him and knew they needed to help so he was brought into our care. Patrick is currently resting and happy as can be. He is already trying to stand and absolutely loves people. While his prognosis will remain in the air until the swelling has gone down we are hopeful that this little fella will get to continue to love and grow. He will likely require physical therapy.

Update: On Saturday, April 13th, Patrick lost his appetite and only ate about half of his breakfast, by noon he vomited it up, by 4pm it was decided to take him to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine where he was admitted after being tested positive for parvovirus. Over the next 9 days the phone call updates were anticipated as he slowly became sicker, including the bloody diarrhea that tells us how sick he really is. A nasogastric tube had to be placed and he had to be given multiple small meals every day. The time, care, attention, as well as his extended cheering section sighed with relief when we heard he had pulled out the feeding tube and ate his meal without stimulants. Another, louder one was given when we were told he chewed off his IV, these are just a few signs that he was healing. And on Monday we were given the best news, Patrick could come home to his foster family, those were happy tears being shed. Meanwhile a neurologist examined him prior to his discharge and their thoughts were that Patrick may actually have a parasite known, Neospora, which can cause muscle atrophy and limb contractions in puppies , so he has been started on an antibiotic to treat that as well.

In other good news, Patrick is walking around using his right hind leg, he’s a goofy and slightly naughty boy who has won the hearts of everyone who has been with him and he is truly looking forward to snuggling with his forever family when he is cleared from his isolation and we learn the fate of his left leg that is still quite immobile at this time.

Please consider making a donation to our Guardians of Hope program where your donations continue to help dogs like Patrick. 100 percent of all donations towards this fund goes directly to the animal’s medical expenses for major medical care.