Page 11 - Paws and Hooves - Spring 2024

 

 

 

 

 

Page 11 - Paws and Hooves - Spring 2024
P. 11

PATIENT
                                                                                                       STORIES








       Blood donors



       help save Rocco








       When Ben took Rocco out for a walk in their local park,   Rocco’s blood donor superheroes were Mabel, Murphy
       little did they know that their lives would change forever.  and Oliver. Between them they’ve given over 40 donations!
       Rocco, a three-year-old long-haired Chihuahua, was     You can find out more about them on pages 12-13.
       viciously attacked by another dog. With substantial    Your generous donations enable us to support the ’s
       blood loss from his injuries, the ’s Emergency and   Blood Donor Programme and fund vital hospital equipment
       Critical Care team had to act quickly.
                                                              like the CT Scanner. Rocco’s road to recovery would not
       Rocco had a CT scan so the full extent of his injuries   have been possible without this support.
       could be understood. The soft tissue and skeletal
       damage Rocco had suffered was extensive.
       Dr Anna Frykfors Von Hekkel, Lecturer in Small
       Animal Soft Tissue Surgery at the  explained:               At the time, we weren’t aware
       “Rocco had pelvic fractures, acute kidney injuries and   of how much the  Animal Care
       had suffered severe bite wounds, including a puncture    Trust were involved in Rocco’s
       to his abdomen and irreparable damage to his hind
       limb. Overnight we explored his abdominal organs to      care. Knowing the great work
       rule out internal injury and amputated his injured back   being done and the amount of
       leg. The blood supply to his testicle had also been      fundraising that goes on behind
       damaged so he required castration.”
                                                                the scenes, well it’s incredible.
                                                                The families who bring their pets
         During surgery Rocco received three blood
         transfusions. Dr Stefano Cortellini, senior lecturer in   to give blood are amazing,
         Emergency and Critical Care at the  emphasised:     we can’t thank them enough.

               Without a blood                                  – Po Rocco's owner
         transfusion, Rocco wouldn't

         have survived.



       Specialist teams across the  committed a lot of care
       and attention to treat Rocco. Rocco’s owners played a vital
       role too, giving him round-the-clock care at home while he
       regained his strength for future surgery. Gradually Rocco
       recovered and their ‘little tripod Chihuahua’ learnt how to
       walk on three legs. Rocco’s other owner, Po, explained that
       in the beginning: “Rocco would go to cock his leg and fall
       because his back leg was missing,” but today, he walks
       with confidence. Po continued: “I have to choose places to
       walk where there’s going to be people, because he loves
       saying hello to everyone. He’s not just a miracle because
       of what he’s gone through but because of how he makes
       other people feel.”
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