Right before Labor Day, we came home to find Jessi scared and huddled in the corner unable to stand or move her rear legs. She was just," stuck", trying her hardest to get up but to no avail. We rushed down to PHX because the local vets couldn't handle such a case and thought it would be better if a specialized hospital took care of her. Long story short.....Jessi was paralyzed from the waist down due to an FCE. One of those freak things that just happens to dogs between the ages of 4 and 6. No rhyme, no reason...it either happens or it doesn't and if it does, it never appears again.
At first she was sad, she had no idea how to comprehend what was going on. Frustrated, she frolicked about when laying down, unable to move her hind quarters, always getting stuck or falling over.....you could see the disspare in her eyes like below.......
Jessi her first night home...tired and ready to get a good night sleep.
After 5 days in doggie ICU, she was able to come home. At first we didn't know if we were going to have to make that tough call and put her down due to the extreme injury she acquired. After going over the possibilities at the vet, we made the choice to rehabilitate her for the next 3-6 months. Jessi is one of the best pups one could have, always happy go lucky, tail wagging, always wants cuddle time and cute as can be. As soon as she awoke the next day, we went out to visit the rabbit holes in front, she was instantly changed, the gleam in her eyes was reignited and her back legs obliged.
They prepped her back for surgery after they first thought it was slipped/pinched disc and a pain patch on the neck. I had to use a sling around her belly to keep her upright so she wouldn't drag herself around. Within a week or so she was able to walk on her own, not well, but all four legs moving under her control.
Emma and Jessi take swim in our rehab pool
Fast forward to December. Jessi has now gone on a couple of short 10-12 mile mountain bike rides with us. She does well, she does start to get tired towards the end, but pulls through it. She loves being on the trail running and in the great outdoors in general. We still have a bit to go with her on physical therapy and rehab. Stay tuned to see the progress.
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