Winchester vet treat puppy after injury left it unable to walk

The four-month-old wire fox terrier, called Rafa, was referred to Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists in Winchester for care after his accident.

Rafa’s owner, Alice Emmence, said she was shocked when neurology clinician Jessica Zilli revealed that Rafa had suffered a traumatic spinal cord injury and instability in his first two spinal bones.

She said: “I was extremely concerned and so worried Rafa wouldn’t improve.

Alice and Rafa (Image: Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists)

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“He had jumped up, lost his balance and then fallen backwards, hitting his head on the hard kitchen floor.

“After the accident, seeing how he had lost the ability to use his hind legs was just awful.

“It was a huge relief to see him show signs of improvement and now he is pretty much back to normal. He is amazing – your typical crazy puppy full of life and cheekiness!”

Vet Jessica said that it was an unusual case, with Rafa stricken by an uncommon condition. She proceeded with a conservative approach to treating the dogs immediate problems, without resorting to corrective surgery.

Jessica explained: “When he first arrived, Rafa had a wobbly, uncertain gait and didn’t seem to be fully aware of the position of his paws. This was consistent with a spinal cord problem at the level of his neck, so we carried out an MRI scan and X-rays of his cervical vertebral column.

“These showed a traumatic spinal cord injury secondary to a bony malformation and instability of his first two spinal bones, known as atlantoaxial malformation.

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“However, as Rafa had already seemed to improve considerably and quickly while he was with us, I talked to his owner Alice and we agreed to opt for conservative management, meaning to continue with pain relief and very strict rest.

“Rafa was rechecked four weeks later and was doing well, and his neurological exam was normal. The presence of the malformation of his spine remains a concern, though, as a repeat contusion and subsequent neurological deterioration following even minor trauma is still a possibility.

“That’s why I have recommended Rafa avoids boisterous activity in the future and for Alice to monitor closely for any worsening of his clinical signs.”