AZChins
Pro Cage Cleaner Champion
I know that most people post bad things happening, but I have a really great, happy story.
Last summer I ran up to Phoenix to pick up a chin from an owner, who had a chin with a serious leg problem and a paralyzed tail. He was dragging the leg and the tail had no movement so it would drag around, as well.
I brought him back here and had to line his cage with towels to make it soft because of the leg and also because the chin wasn't very mobile. I was told he wasn't eating on his own and had trouble drinking, but he really did manage to eat well on his own and to drink. He gained quite a bit of weight right away and just continued to gain up until now. Also, I was told that this was a possible neurological condition, I suspected a possible spinal cord injury because of the problems he was having.
When I took him in to see the vet I was told that it was most definitely an injury. He said that the chin probably had it's tail pulled on too roughly or the leg was pulled on possibly from getting either one caught in the cage and falling. There was significant nerve damage. At that point the little guy had improved a bit, but the leg was still dragging.
The muscles in the leg were not properly matched and they were actually pulling the leg way out because one group of muscles had atrophied! It was good to hear that it wasn't a neurological condition, but not so great to hear that maybe the nerve damage would never heal. Not that I wouldn't love the little guy forever and ever, he just wasn't the happiest he could be...chins love to jump.
Over the last few weeks the leg has improved dramatically. This chin is plump and looking great at this point. The leg isn't pulled out to the side so it drags. It isn't completely perfect and I can tell that sometimes he has to purposely pull it in towards his body because the muscles haven't healed.
Everything is going great with him, I love him and I think he really enjoys being here and getting lots and lots of attention with daily maid service in his cage to make sure everything is clean so he doesn't rub his skin raw and get an infection on his leg.
I saw him up on his ledge three weeks ago! He actually JUMPED! That was amazing...I saw him get up on his tippy toes to get to the wood at the top of his toy, even more amazing.
THEN TODAY!!!!
I saw his tail MOVE!!! His stuck, paralyzed tail moved.
Sorry to gush...I cried because I was so happy! This was a huge deal. It goes to prove that with time, attention and love even the most hopeless rescue cases can heal and blossom into healthy chinnies!
(Yes, another long post...) This is something that has made all the work completely worth it...I live for this!
Last summer I ran up to Phoenix to pick up a chin from an owner, who had a chin with a serious leg problem and a paralyzed tail. He was dragging the leg and the tail had no movement so it would drag around, as well.
I brought him back here and had to line his cage with towels to make it soft because of the leg and also because the chin wasn't very mobile. I was told he wasn't eating on his own and had trouble drinking, but he really did manage to eat well on his own and to drink. He gained quite a bit of weight right away and just continued to gain up until now. Also, I was told that this was a possible neurological condition, I suspected a possible spinal cord injury because of the problems he was having.
When I took him in to see the vet I was told that it was most definitely an injury. He said that the chin probably had it's tail pulled on too roughly or the leg was pulled on possibly from getting either one caught in the cage and falling. There was significant nerve damage. At that point the little guy had improved a bit, but the leg was still dragging.
The muscles in the leg were not properly matched and they were actually pulling the leg way out because one group of muscles had atrophied! It was good to hear that it wasn't a neurological condition, but not so great to hear that maybe the nerve damage would never heal. Not that I wouldn't love the little guy forever and ever, he just wasn't the happiest he could be...chins love to jump.
Over the last few weeks the leg has improved dramatically. This chin is plump and looking great at this point. The leg isn't pulled out to the side so it drags. It isn't completely perfect and I can tell that sometimes he has to purposely pull it in towards his body because the muscles haven't healed.
Everything is going great with him, I love him and I think he really enjoys being here and getting lots and lots of attention with daily maid service in his cage to make sure everything is clean so he doesn't rub his skin raw and get an infection on his leg.
I saw him up on his ledge three weeks ago! He actually JUMPED! That was amazing...I saw him get up on his tippy toes to get to the wood at the top of his toy, even more amazing.
THEN TODAY!!!!
I saw his tail MOVE!!! His stuck, paralyzed tail moved.
Sorry to gush...I cried because I was so happy! This was a huge deal. It goes to prove that with time, attention and love even the most hopeless rescue cases can heal and blossom into healthy chinnies!
(Yes, another long post...) This is something that has made all the work completely worth it...I live for this!
