MARCH – REGGIE
Chasing pigs is not something on Reggie’s usual daily agenda, but in a fleeting moment of fun and a decision she likely regrets, Reggie found herself being rushed into the clinic as an after hours emergency from serious pig attack wounds that had put her in a very unstable condition.
Reggie had vital organs outside her body, a complete tear as well as other damage to her intestines and a considerable level of contamination to her abdominal cavity that was all very concerning. Thankfully her owner had done an excellent job at first aid and had wrapped her abdomen to reduce the risk of further damage and to keep her organs from drying out.
Reggie underwent over 5hrs of surgery to repair damage to her intestines (with portions having to be removed), bits of dying tissue removed, her abdominal cavity flushed out and an abdominal drain placed.
It was early morning by the time Reggie had woken up from surgery and started intensive care on multiple intravenous drip lines and medications, to give her the best chance of survival. The next few days following surgery would be the toughest in Reggie’s recovery, uncertain the extent of damage to the liver and pancreas and the risk of breakdown where the intestines had been repaired always a possibility. Reggie also had to be monitored closely to ensure she didn’t go into DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation), a very hard to control whole body inflammatory response.
Reggie spent 3 days in intensive care at the clinic before heading home. Every day of Reggie’s recovery has truly amazed us; from being well enough to want to eat again herself, to being able to walk again unassisted and there were of course the big smiles as the whole family came to collect her from hospital to take her home. Reggie’s family have been fantastic with her home care and treatment and Reggie’s recovery has been a testament to her owner’s ongoing support.
Reggie is a very special dog, with a very special family who have two young boys who couldn’t wait to have her home.
We wish Reggie all the best in the rest of her recovery and hope she’s learnt her lesson about playing dodge-boar with the 2-tusked kind.