I had a long chat with our vet today, to try and understand as much as I can about Courage so that we can move on sourcing useful ways to help her, even if not to recovery, then to better wellbeing.
Here’s what I learnt:
The only diagnosis made on Day One was that there was no more deep pain sensation, which indicates nerve damage. The vet used a pair of scissors to prick Courage’s tail and paws and there was absolutely no reaction from her at all. We could also feel externally that her spinal chord appeared to be broken. No X-Ray was taken because the vet felt it was unnecessary. He would not recommend any procedure unless it was useful and helpful. X-Rays exposes the animal (and the human) to unnecessary radiation.
Since there is nerve damage, Courage is, technically, paralysed. What does allopathic medicine have to address this? B1-B12-Omega 3 & 6 Fatty Acids and steroids to reduce possible swelling. If there was any swelling that was causing pressure on the nerves, then steroids would reduce the swelling and some “improvement” may be seen after a few days.
Now, here’s where we see a slight glimmer of hope. My friend (who has taken Courage home) said Courage was snapping and at times, even squealing last night. If she is doing so because she felt pain – that is a good thing! It could mean that the steroids are working, the swelling is subsiding and she is getting some nerve function back. Hence, she can feel pain now. So, pain may not be a bad thing, after all.
I see some hope….
However, my friend was also worried about possible organ rupture due to the injury. So I asked our vet. Of course anything is possible since we have not looked inside, but our vet doubts it. I asked if we should do an MRI to get this checked and he said it wouldn’t be necessary. Procedures can be done, but is it necessary? Clinically, Courage has not shown evidence of any organ rupture. If the bladder had ruptured, she would not be able to urinate at all. But we definitely saw her urinating a few times on Day One itself.
So, our vet is doubtful there is organ rupture.
Phew! I am relieved.
But we understand, of course, that anything can happen, and we are not sure at this point in time, the extent of damage caused by the beating/injury.
Courage has been given antibiotics for the flu, Denizone (B1-B12-Omega 3 & 6) for help with the nerves and Prednisolone (the steroid). So our vet has given what he feels is necessary for Courage at this point in time.
I asked if Courage’s spinal chord is broken. The vet says it appears to be so, but again, we cannot be absolutely sure. But that is not of much concern now. If it IS broken, there is nothing we can do about it. If it is just transacted, what we should do (and this is strongly advisable) is to put her in a confined space where she moves as little as possible – to prevent further damage or breakage.
What we are definitely sure of on Day One was the nerve damage.
Here’s a simple analogy: Imagine an egg. The shell is the spinal chord and the eye yolk is the nerves. Now, we are sure at this point that the eye yolk is damaged (because there is no deep pain sensation). There is no point doing anything to repair the egg shell since it’s the egg yolk that is damaged. Let’s do something to repair the egg yolk first.
That is why the medication now is to help Courage regain her nerve function. If it is due to swelling, Prednisolone should help very much.
We are banking on this.
The vet said my friend could try testing for reflexes and “feeling” by pricking Courage’s paws and see if there is any reaction. If there is, that is a GOOD sign.
At the same time, we will also start on acupuncture as this too helps.
The stem cells are on the way as well.
We’d like to thank Faizati Md Ali and Connie James (in memory of Buddy the Dog) for their donations for Courage’s medical needs. Thank you very much for your kindness.
MDDB’s Wani has also offered to pay half of the cost of the MRI should it be needed, but right now, our vet doesn’t think it is necessary. Thanks, Wani.
To everyone – thanks for your prayers and moral support. It is very heartening to know that at a time like this when everything seems so bleak, we have so many friends rooting for Courage. All is not lost. There is hope yet.
Prayer helps, folks. When we pray, we are sending positive and healing thoughts of hope to Courage. It’s a form of mental energy that travels across distances to where we want it to go.
Disclaimer: The above technical details are based on my layperson and very limited understanding of Courage’s condition and in the process of writing this, I may have unintentionally misinterpreted the vet’s explanation. Any error in this write-up, is therefore, entirely mine.
More Articles By AnimalCare
|
| 
Member Login
