Spot the difference!
Reporter: DAWN MARSDEN
Date published: 27 January 2010
Dalmatian’s miracle recovery after spine injury
WHEN nine-year-old Dalmatian Lucy fell from a high fence and severely damaged her spine, her owners thought she would never walk again.
But the hardy hound defied the odds to make a full recovery.
Lucy’s owner Janet Clegg had feared she would have to have her beloved pet put down after suffering a grade five spinal injury— the worst kind — when she fell from a fence while out walking in April last year.
She seemed in pain but managed to walk another five miles, although the next day Lucy struggled to move and became very wobbly on her back legs.
Janet, who got Lucy from the RSPCA in 2002, took her to the vet who referred her to a specialist in Brighouse, West Yorkshire, for surgery to ease a spinal cord compression. The plucky pooch, who also suffers from severe arthritis, was given strong painkillers to help her through the operation.
After fearing she would lose her dog, Janet was pleased to see her wake up after surgery but there was a long period of recovery ahead.
Janet, of Alpine Drive, Royton, said: “We were delighted to bring her home after a few days but she was very depressed and incontinent. It was a hard time and she needed more care than a newborn baby.
“We were told that recovery time was eight weeks but when eight weeks came, Lucy was still immobile and depressed so we thought that was it.
“Most of our friends were very supportive but others said we should think about having her put down. That really upset me as I wasn’t about to give up her that easily.”
As Lucy’s condition slowly started to improve, Janet found a company specialising in products for disabled dogs.
A cart with wheels was ordered to support Lucy’s back legs and allow her to go outside again for walks.
Janet said: “This lifted her depression straight away and she just got stronger and stronger until the day came when she didn’t need the frame anymore.
“Now she still walks a bit funny but she is full of life and we can go out again so all the months of pain and suffering were worth it.”
Janet faced veterinary bills of £5,000 and clauses in her insurance meant that she was only able to claim £280 back.
She said: “I would urge pet-owners to check the small print in their insurance because when the time comes that you need it, it’s not always like it seems.
“That said, I don’t begrudge paying out all the money as we now have our beautiful lively dog back and it just goes to show that sometimes miracles really do happen if you believe and you want it enough.”
