Recently a group of six dogs,
who lived on the beach, were found dying and paralysed after eating a turtle. They were
taken to two vets working in practice, but due to the intensive care nursing they
required, the four surviving dogs came to our Makasutu Centre.
Botulism paralyses all the muscles, so
eventually their lungs fill with fluid and the animals die. Once they reached us, their
lungs were drained every 15 minutes or so and they were given round the clock care.
Danielle Barnes. a physiotherapist from the UK, sent us a physiotherapy programme to help
them, and they had muscle massage, red light treatment, and everything else we could think
of that might help. We even made a makeshift hydrotherapy pool from an old water tank.
Little by little they started to be able to
eat and drink and gradually, with a great deal of help, they were able to walk once more.
One dog, Simba, took several weeks longer than
the others to recover. We think he may have ongoing special needs, but he is continuing to
improve and is fully mobile now. He has built up an immense bond with Emily and will
remain with the GHDT.
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