Ref: http://animalcare.my/2011/11/s-o-s-help-needed-urgently-to-rescue-an-injured-dog-in-cheras/
Uncle Charles brought the Cheras dog in and I met them there.
Here she is. She appears to be not aggressive at all. Charles had nothing but praises for Rohani and her husband, Nizam. Although they could not touch dogs as per their religious beliefs, they helped in every way possible.
Our vet came back and opened the carrier door. He wanted to see how the dog would react. Soon enough, the dog came out and she could only waddled with her front legs.
I can’t remember all the medical terms, but to make it very simple, the vet says she is paralysed in both her back legs. There is no deep pain sensation at all. He tested her reflexes and there was none in one leg or the tail. However, when she dragged herself around the clinic, there were some jerking movements in her left leg. These could be just reflexes and there may be no signal to the brain at all.
Her spinal chord is fractured, resulting in nerve damage and the prognosis for recovery is poor. She may very well (and at this point in time, most likely) be paralysed for life.
From his professional viewpoint, the vet says it is a case for euthanasia. But he knows we cannot do that.
She also seems to have no control of her urination, but she tries to move elsewhere to urinate.
So I asked for my options.
Here what we can do:
1. Supplements – Neurobion, Omega 3 & 6 Fatty Acids, Steroids.
2. Non-mainstream treatment – acupuncture.
3. Physiotherapy.
4. Explore other non mainstream treatment like using stem cells.
5. Help her movement by custom-making a wheel chair (order from the US)
But here is our main problem – we need a caregiver.
So I called my friend who has had experience successfully nursing a paralysed dog (also both hind legs) to walk again. She has to nurse a special needs cat right now, so she could not take in the dog. But she is willing to teach all that she knows (the physiotherapy) to whoever wants to help the dog.
The dog soon settled comfortably at the counter.
We have decided to board the dog while we source a caregiver. The vet will start on the supplements today. The dog also has some nasal discharge – we hope that’s just some discharge due to the cold and not anything more serious than that.
I asked if an X-Ray is necessary. The vet said no, because he could already physically feel the broken parts.
I need a name for her.
You will be called “Courage”.
I left Courage under the care of our vets and drove home with a heavy heart. Nevertheless, we have to try. All is not lost yet. Maybe we can find a good samaritan who would be willing to take care of Courage.
We will provide the following for the caregiver and for Courage:
1. Help from my friend who will share all her knowledge on physiotherapy.
2. Pay for her medication, as prescribed by the vet.
3. Order the wheelchair, if required, but this is only for her mobility for a few minutes a day so that she could move around. She cannot be on a wheelchair all the time. My friend who has had experience using wheelchairs does not quite recommend it.
4. Acupuncture treatment, if the acupuncturist agrees to treat her.
I am next going to consult the acupuncturist, Dr Susanna, if she would be willing to treat Courage. If so, we will start that immediately.
I have also updated Rohani on Courage’s condition. She spoke at length about her entire experience and was very dismayed at the people who did this to Courage. She said when Uncle Charles finally took Courage away, Courage looked back at her, and Rohani felt Courage was saying “thank you”. Rohani said she cried. She thinks if Courage had not been rescued, she would have died a slow and horrible death.
Courage is now in a safe and warm enclosure at our vets, with food and water. Our vets will start her on the supplements tonight.
When I first responded to Rohani’s call, I was well aware that we would have no caregiver for Courage. That was my greatest fear, because we have no fosterers and we are only a charity fund. I cannot personally foster Courage because of my cats and Bobby. My cats would all run away and Bobby would suffer from intense jealousy. But we need to do what is needful and we will now work towards sourcing help. Meanwhile, at least Courage is safe. My greatest concern was that if I did not arrange for the rescue, Courage may suffer another beating, which was Rohani’s concern too. Hence, the great urgency.
I wish to appeal to all of you to please pass the word around now, and help me source for a caregiver (adopter, if possible) for Courage. It would be best if it’s someone who is willing to learn the physiotherapy skills and is committed to giving his or her best for Courage. Please contact me at chankahyein@gmail.com if anyone can foster or take care of Courage.
All is not lost yet.
Please help in whatever ways you can.
Please pray for a miracle – that we will find a caregiver and Courage will recover!
Please forward this link.
Thank you.
Comments
12 responses to “Courage, the paralysed dog (Cheras case)”
Dear Dr Chan
I was moved reading the sentence when Courage turned back to look at Rohani. Me and my husband will pray for Courage for a committed adopter. Sorry that I couldn’t help.
Poor Courage.Hopefully from now on,Courage had a much much better life.God bless.
May God bless Courage. Hope a kind person with a big heart will take her in and love her as much as she deserves to be loved.
“The acupuncturist (me) agrees to treat her” 🙂
although her prognosis (chance of recovering feeling in hind legs) is poor acupuncture will do no harm. And I will put ALL my effort (including those from my colleagues all over the world) into it so that Courage gets a fair chance, once again…
Thank you so, so much, Dr Susanna! I have replied your email and we will start with the first treatment as soon as you are available, next week. Thank you!
Poor Courage. She would not be in this position if spay/neuter for strays could be implemented more but more importantly if those residents didn’t beat her up. Hope karma comes back ten fold for these people. She’s in my prayers.
I really feel pity for the poor dog. I’ll pray for her speedy recovery. I would like donate rm50.00 for her medical treatment. Kindly let me have the Bank account number ASAP.
I am very sad to hear about Courage condition and the cruelty of the people who have done this to her. Being a physically challenged person myself, I understand how life is for Courage but I am very glad to hear Dr Susanna is trying to help by giving her alternative treatment which I hope it will help Courage. All I can do to help is to pray hard, hope there is a miracle and Courage will be on her legs again. I also hope a kind soul will volunteer to take great care of Courage soon.
I am really sad to read Courage’s predicament and I would really hope that a kind soul would adopt her. Despite her shortcomings, she never gave up to live and thanks to Dr Susanna who managed to help her out. I did see the same predicament suffered by a cocker spaniel in Australia showcased in the RSPCA documentary which really helped to put the dog’s hind legs back to her feet via acupuncture and constant medical attention.
I do hope that Courage has a speedy recovery and will be back on her legs soon.
I read and was saddened. feel sorry courage but i strongly feel that she doesnt need euthanasia. being paralysed isnt a prob at all. am saying based on ma experience. my blacky puppy was like this, both her legs behind cant b used and they were kinda hanging wenever i carry her. daddy use to separate her from other puppies while feeding her with bread and rice. what my younger sister and i did was, whenever i feed her, my little sister would pour few drops of Holy Water into her mouth and pray to St. Francis of Asisi, patron saint for animals, and I always rub some Holy Water on her both legs after my morning and evening. Praise the Lord! Blacky started walking slowly, she started using her legs, to stand and later she could walked!!…That brought tears in ma eyes with a smile, as if a mum feels touched to see her baby started walking for the first time!…and similarly, my another puppy, Darling, also wasnt able to walk when she was hit by a car, which tyres ran on her abdomen. I followed the same thing as i am unable to give her physiotherapy aid. Some months later, she manage to walk, and with the help of some antibiotics from the Vet, she started walking and finally started to run around the house. she became very active and she luvs to jump wenever she sees us. What i am trying to say is, we pray for the best for Courage and its not need to put her to sleep as this isnt an ending for her. Courage will walk, run and jump like my blacky and Darling!…ya, she will get a good person who takes care of her wit lots of love and care.
Dear Janet,
We have no intention of putting Courage to sleep. Please read all my posts on her.
Thank you for your sharing.
I hope that Courage will find an owner who can love and care for her. May God bless all of those who helped Courage from her previous plight.