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新月直播檚 blood donor superheroes were Mabel, Murphy
little did they know that their lives would change forever. and Oliver. Between them they新月直播檝e 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 RVC新月直播檚
blood loss from his injuries, the RVC新月直播檚 Emergency and Blood Donor Programme and fund vital hospital equipment
Critical Care team had to act quickly.
like the CT Scanner. Rocco新月直播檚 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 RVC explained: At the time, we weren新月直播檛 aware
新月直播淩occo had pelvic fractures, acute kidney injuries and of how much the RVC Animal Care
had suffered severe bite wounds, including a puncture Trust were involved in Rocco新月直播檚
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.新月直播�
the scenes, well it新月直播檚 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 RVC emphasised: we can新月直播檛 thank them enough.
Without a blood 新月直播� Po Rocco's owner
transfusion, Rocco wouldn't
have survived.
Specialist teams across the RVC committed a lot of care
and attention to treat Rocco. Rocco新月直播檚 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 新月直播榣ittle tripod Chihuahua新月直播� learnt how to
walk on three legs. Rocco新月直播檚 other owner, Po, explained that
in the beginning: 新月直播淩occo would go to cock his leg and fall
because his back leg was missing,新月直播� but today, he walks
with confidence. Po continued: 新月直播淚 have to choose places to
walk where there新月直播檚 going to be people, because he loves
saying hello to everyone. He新月直播檚 not just a miracle because
of what he新月直播檚 gone through but because of how he makes
other people feel.新月直播�
P&H SPRING 2024 11
