A paralysed puppy that was suffering from a rare life-threatening condition has made a spectacular recovery after 11 days in intensive care and dedicated physiotherapy as part of a truly multidisciplinary approach here at Willows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mylo, a two-month-old Sproodle, was admitted to us as an emergency case after becoming paralysed, which included losing the ability to bark, yelp and whimper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our Neurologist Resident Rob Clark carried out an examination on Mylo which pointed towards a condition called \u2018immune-mediated polyradiculoneuritis\u2019, which was confirmed by a series of complex neurological diagnostic tests. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rob explained: \u201cMylo\u2019s own immune system was attacking his nervous system, leaving him unable to move any of his legs or even lift his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI had to prepare Mylo\u2019s owners for the worst, as polyradiculoneuritis can be life-threatening if it progresses to paralysing the nerves which control breathing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe other major problem was that there is no specific medical or surgical treatment for polyradiculoneuritis, so Mylo\u2019s recovery now depended on round-the-clock intensive nursing care and physiotherapy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
INTENSIVE CARE UNIT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mylo was immediately admitted to our Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where he was closely monitored day and night by our dedicated team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rob added: \u201cFor patients such as Mylo, we have to watch and wait to see if the nerves start to heal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some patients deteriorate and others slowly seem to stabilise and then show signs of improvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe biggest danger was that he may develop secondary complications, such as struggling to breathe or a chest infection, so the ICU team were monitoring Mylo\u2019s vital signs 24\/7 and were turning or repositioning him every four hours and propping him upright for any feeding and bathing, as well as playing and interacting with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnother potential complication was that Mylo could suffer long-term mobility issues when he recovered. He was paralysed from the neck down, so he was not moving his legs at all and, as a puppy, he was still in his growing phase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPatients who spend so much time without moving can develop a contracture, where the muscles start to contract and pull the legs into a curled-up position, which is irreversible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf Mylo did develop a contracture it would mean he wouldn\u2019t be able to walk again and puppies are especially prone to this complication as they are still growing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n VETERINARY PHYSIOTHERAPY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This is where our expert Veterinary Physiotherapist Emma Box became key to ensuring Mylo avoided a contracture and went on to make a complete recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Emma explained: \u201cAn exercise programme is essential to prevent a contracture, so I spent a long time massaging and stretching Mylo\u2019s legs and moving his joints for him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen, as Mylo started to recover, we began a course of rehabilitation. Firstly, we started the process of teaching Mylo how to hold normal positions such as sitting and lying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe introduced exercises which involved manually positioning Mylo into a lying or sitting position, and slowly taking support away over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cInitially, he didn’t have the strength to hold himself upright, but gradually you would take your hands away and he would hold himself up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOnce he could hold these positions independently, you use further exercises to challenge his balance a little more \u2013 such as moving a treat from side to side and seeing if he can hold the sit or lie without collapsing to the side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n