Branigan's Spinal Injury |
Branigan home again, sedated and exhausted, after three hours of blood tests and
x-rays. |
5 September 2003 Many thanks to Jenny Kendall-Tobias of Radio Guernsey for appealing on Bran's behalf for the use of a heated swimming pool for hydrotherapy. And even more heartfelt thanks to the kind folk who came forward. We are now able to give Bran two sessions of hydrotherapy a week in a pool heated to 35 degrees, which has wide, shallow steps so that we don't have to throw him in at the deep end! We kept the first session very short and light to get him comfortable with being in the water. It didn't seem to be too stressful for him - but we'll have a better idea on Monday when we try to take him back! |
"I'm not at all sure about this, Dad!" |
"Can we go home, now please?" |
Out and about again! |
"I fell over!" |
"Don't let go of me, Mum - I can't swim!" |
"I can't swim! I can't swim! Oh, well . . . maybe I can. . ." |
"HELP! I CAN'T SWIM!" |
"Couldn't I work out in the gym instead of the pool?" |
7 September 2003 In the last 24 hours Bran has made tremendous progress. At first we didn't dare hope that he was improving as quickly as it seemed. He was certainly managing to get around unaided over short distances, but appeared to be dragging his left leg rather than using it, and we felt he might be adapting well, rather than actually recovering. Today, however, it's clear that he is making real progress. He still needs some help to get onto his feet (although that depends on whether or not he wants to!) Once there, he propels himself forward with a grim determination and resolve to get to where he's going, whether it's Darcy's bone or Clyde the Cat! He tires easily, of course, and can only manage short distances, often bending his knuckles over, but walk he does, and after all our fears and worry in the last week it's a joy to see. Our main problem now is going to be preventing him from doing too much! Thank you again to everyone who has sent us good wishes and messages of support - it really has made a tremendous difference to us to know that you're all out there cheering him on. |
12 September 2003 Hydotherapy is going (dare we say?) swimmingly, with Bran actually swimming under his own steam for the first time. His mobility generally continues to improve, and he clearly finds it easier to get about as he is now much more inclined to get himself up and go for a 'mooch' about the garden, or check out his toy box. Until the last couple of days, he's needed a specific reason to haul himself to his feet - such as dinner! |
1 September 2003 Two days ago Branigan hurt his back while playing with Darcy. Although there didn't appear to be any injury at the time, our vet thinks that part of a damaged disc is cutting of the blood supply to the nerves that supply his back legs (fibrocartilaginous embolus) as a result of which he is unable to stand. The prognosis is good, and we hope he will be fully mobile in 2-4 weeks, but meanwhile he is receiving intensive nursing care and more fuss and attention than can possibly be good for his ego! Darcy is most concerned about him, and can't understand why we're staggering about the place like a wierd set of conjoined triplets, with me at Bran's front end, Paul supporting the rear with a towel, and poor Branigan doing his best to make some progress in the middle! 3 September 2003 Bran is doing well, in that it now seems to be just his left leg that's affected, and although there's no sign of recovery there yet he's learning that he can use his right leg, and is more cooperative and confident in getting around, helped by the fact that our handling techniques are improving every day. He actually managed to stand unaided yesterday evening - but that was because the vet called round about 9pm to take some more blood, and the ringing of the doorbell at that time of night caused the usual ructions with wolfhounds barking and taking bets on which door it was, and poor Bran leapt to his feet in a complete panic before remembering he couldn't do that and falling over. Thank you to everyone who has sent such lovely messages of support to us and Branigan. Please forgive us if there's a delay in replying - as you can imagine, the invalid boy's consuming huge quantities of our time and energy. We're trying to keep him stimulated mentally and physically as much as we can, and between that and the constant washing of bedding there just isn't enough time in the day to attend to correspondence and the website. |
Convalescing in the garden. |
Opening a 'get-well' present from Auntie Diane in Malvern - needless to say, the
wrapping was as much fun as the toy! |
9 September 2003 Branigan continues to make good progress. He's wearing a protective boot on his left paw, to prevent him damaging his knuckles and claws. This has the effect of making him sound like Frankenstein's monster as he stomps around the house, especially as he seems to find it easier to travel at speed than at a walking pace (must be a bit like riding a bike - the slower he goes, the more likely he is to fall over). So much so that we're now having great difficulty stopping him from racing round the garden. His second hydrotherapy session/swimming lesson went well, and he's almost swimming unaided. We can't honestly say that he enjoys it, but at least it doesn't seem to throw him into total panic, and we're hopeful that he will benefit once he learns to accept being in the water. |
"They put me in that pool again!" |
"Warm and dry now - that's better!" |
"Dad, I'm sure that nice physio lady said that pizza was good for weak legs!" |
"She definitely did, Dad, honest!" |
Modelling his new Buster boot. |
Showing off his purple ankle weight . . . |
. . . and moving at speed without it! |
"Fancy saying I'm lazy!" |
19 September 2003 We had a two hour visit from a veterinary physiotherapist yesterday. She was very impressed with the speed of Branigan's recovery, and is confident that he will recover fully with no limp. Music to our ears! Rachel has taught us exercises to carry out on Branigan's weak leg - including weight training! Given that he already looks as though he's going to grow up to be a cart-horse, all we can say is, 'Watch out, Arnie! Branigan's coming!!' |
26 September 2003 Apart from having acquired a huge bursa on his left elbow, Branigan continues to make remarkably strong progress. He no longer needs the protection of a boot, and is back to normal levels of mischief, even with the handicap of wearing a 1lb weight around his hock (one of Anne's old keep-fit wrist weights, finally being put to good use!) We're continuing with hydrotherapy twice weekly. Bran can now swim six lengths of the (admittedly, small) pool, though he still regards the whole the whole thing as a cruel and unnatural punishment. |
This is just so undignified! What do they think I am, a Newfie?? |
"Hey, you guys, wait for me!" |
Apprentice Pack Leader |
The good news is that he seems completely unaware that he has a problem and it rarely
stops him from doing what he wants to do - he can walk, trot (though that's
his worst gait), run and gallop. Very occasionally on walks he will try to follow
Darcy up rocks or down a steep bank and get himself into difficulties, but
he's got great determination and always manages in the end. And people respond
to him so positively. Many people are alarmed when a wolfhound is heading towards
them, but they see Branigan come lolloping along like a car with a flat tyre,
with a big grin on his face and they can't help but smile, so he spreads a little
happiness every day. |
If you know of a suspected case of FCE please contact Ellen Kroll of the Irish Wolfhound Club of America. She tries to keep track of the number of cases around the world and share helpful information. Her email address is: ellen_kroll@msn.com or telephone: USA 425-377-1390 |
