January 2009 - Bob Cole
Bob's New Years Resolution
Bob a 5 year old Huntaway cross was out working on the farm, when he unfortunately had a slight run in with the farms manitou. He fell under the wheels of the 7.5 tonne machine. Bobs owners carefully freed him, and rushed Bob straight into the surgery, phoning ahead allowing the nurses to prepare intravenous fluids and pain relief for his arrival.
Once Bob arrived at the surgery he was carefully stretchered through into the preparation room. It was important to keep him as still as possible in case of any spinal injuries. He was immediately placed onto intravenous fluids to prevent hypovolaemic shock. A strong pain relief was administered whilst the vet examined Bobs reflex actions in his hind limbs and for areas of discomfort and injury.
Bob was taken through to the x–ray room so radiographs of his pelvis and lumbar spine could be taken. This would show the severity of any injuries he may have sustained during the accident. Bob was anaesthetised to allow several views to be taken without causing him further pain and distress.
Unbelievably after several x-rays had been taken no fractures or injuries could be detected!! Visualisation of Bobs bladder was difficult so a urinary catheter was placed to see if it was possible to drain any urine away. To everyone’s relief a clear flow of urine containing a small amount of blood drained from the bladder. This was a positive sign that Bobs bladder had not been ruptured.
A kennel was prepared for his recovery and an orthopaedic mattress was placed into the kennel for support and padding to prevent any pressure sores occurring whilst Bob was recumbent. He remained on intravenous fluids and pain relief to support him through his recovery.
After careful nursing and TLC Bob took his first steps the following day. From that point there was no stopping him on his road to recovery. Despite being a little wobbly when cornering, Bob had recovered amazingly well. He was allowed home three days later. No one at Okeford can quite believe how lucky he was. Bob is still recovering from his argument with the manitou at home but is improving more and more each day and has now decided his days of fighting farm machinery are over.
