"Izzi" is definitely in the running for "Cutest Dog Ever." (She's the one in the Steelers collar!) She's a terrier mix, just over a year old. One day, she was playing outside, minding her own business. When she came back inside, her owners noticed that she had a wound on the side of her chest. They quickly took her to the veterinarian, where an exam and x-rays indicated that this was a simple, superficial laceration. Izzi went home after the laceration was treated.
But that wasn't the end of the story. Izzi began to feel worse over the next few days. Eventually, we determined that the "superficial" laceration was actually a deep puncture wound, probably a stick. The object had penetrated into her chest, through the diagphragm, into the abdomen, piercing the small intestine, pancreas, and spleen! She had a serious infection in her abdomen, and we weren't sure she would make it.
It's a credit to Izzi's courage and good nature that she was able to survive. It took hard work by the surgery team, excellent nursing care, and some pretty dedicated owners to pull her through. After 4 days in the hospital, Izzi went home to continue her recovery. No more running into sticks, Izzi!
Lessons learned:
- Don't run into sticks.
- Things are not always as they seem.
- It's amazing how much damage can be present internally, with only minimal external damage. Even experienced veterinarians sometimes cannot initially tell how extensive is the damage.
- It's amazing how much damage dogs, especially young dogs, can suffer and come through with flying colors.
- With surgery and intensive care, great things are possible.
- Similar incidents happen in people
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