Tiny Poodle Faces Uphill Battle to Recover
Prince has a home! This special boy left North Shore Animal League America’s Pet Health Centers recently with his new mom, Jeanette. Since Prince will need some special care, Dr. Mark Verdino, Animal League America’s Senior Vice President and Chief of Veterinary Staff, carefully reviewed with her how to continue Prince’s physical therapy and get him in and out of his cart.
“I saw Beth Stern’s Instagram posts. When she wrote about how he was hit by a car, I thought ‘oh, poor boy,’ and that started me really thinking about him,” said Jeanette. “He’s a cute little boy and now he’s ours. He’s going to fit in great in my home. He’ll be spoiled.”
Prince now has three other fur siblings—two other adult Miniature Poodles named GG and Teddy and a cat named Charlotte. Teddy is also a rescue and Jeanette believes he was about 10 years old when she adopted him four years ago. She has had Miniature Poodles for more than 50 years since her Dad gave her one named Candy when she was a child.
Dr. Verdino cautioned Jeanette to limit Prince’s freedom in her home at first to keep him safe—for example, he shouldn’t be around the stairs at all. The veterinary technician staff made sure they gave her Prince’s Superman socks that will keep him from slipping on a slick floor surface.
As Jeanette loaded Prince into a car seat and made him comfortable with a special pillow for his ride home, she commented “My 14-year-old granddaughter wants to make sure that everyone knows Prince is named after the singer. I think I’ll just have to get him a purple collar and coat!”
Prince is one plucky pup! The great news is that his pelvic fractures have healed and he has regained some function in his right hind limb.
“Prince uses the right hind limb occasionally, but more for stability when hopping around — like a kickstand,” said Dr. Mark Verdino, North Shore Animal League America’s Senior Vice President and Chief of Veterinary Staff. “His left hind limb remains non-functional, but it doesn’t seem to be impeding his mobility or causing him any discomfort.”
Staff and volunteers have all cheered Prince on as his progress with his cart was slow. At first, he just kept going backwards! As the one leg healed, he began to be more positive about going out in the cart. Special treats helped show him how to move forward. Now, everyone watches while he zips around in his specially made cart, complete with his own license plate. He is even able to move without his cart on soft surfaces.
“Prince is truly an inspiration to all of us. He beat the odds,” exclaims Jenna, veterinary assistant and one of Prince’s best friends at Animal League America. “Be a hero and adopt this tiny road warrior.”
Prince is more than ready to find a home to call his own. Prince loves to be around people and will easily become a part of the family. He enjoys treats, rubs, and hugs! If you have experience with a special needs pet and can open your heart for this mighty, little poodle, please contact of our Foster Care Program at [email protected].
Prince, the sweet poodle who captured our hearts, is doing well after his surgery and his road to recovery continues. “Surgery to stabilize the right side of Prince’s pelvis went well. There was no further nerve damage caused by the surgery and this was the risk,” said Dr. Mark Verdino, Animal League America’s Senior Vice President and Chief of Veterinary Staff. Prince started his physical therapy at the Animal Medical Center and has now returned to our Pet Health Centers to continue his rehabilitation.
Prince had laser therapy while he was at the Animal Medical Center. The veterinary technicians at Animal League America are now focusing on his physical therapy by doing paw stimulation, massage, and electromagnetic stimulation to help with inflammation.
In addition to his physical therapy, Prince has been fitted with a special cart to aid in mobility. He is slowly learning how to move in it—although right now he prefers to back up rather than go forward! It is a process, but our veterinary technicians have special treats to help Prince master his new ride.
It will likely be a few more months of rehabilitation before Prince is ready for adoption, but with the generous support of our Help Me Heal Program there’s no stopping him now!
Original story posted April 3, 2019.
Getting hit by a car can be a tragic event for anyone. For an eight-pound Poodle, it was the start of an uphill battle that no one could have imagined.
Our Rescue Team first learned about Prince when Animal Care Centers of Brooklyn reached out to us for help. Prince had suffered multiple injuries including several fractures to his pelvis, a badly broken hind leg, and lots of bruising and swelling. This sweet dog had no time to lose and was immediately brought to our Pet Health Centers.
After a thorough examination Prince showed no withdrawal response when they tested the left hind limb. This could either be due to the pain caused by the pelvic fractures, or more serious neurological damage that could leave him paralyzed. Given the bruising and swelling it was still too soon to tell, and the clock was ticking.
The first step in Prince’s journey would be to address his broken leg. He was rushed into emergency surgery and a rod was placed to repair the fracture of his left hind limb. Following surgery, the staff monitored him closely for any improvement in his condition that would determine the next course of action.
After several days in recovery, the medical team learned that Prince had not regained any neurologic function on his left hind limb. This meant that there may be permanent nerve damage from the accident, and he’ll most likely not regain any feeling or use of the left hind limb. The right hind limb had regained some neurologic function, but the latest x-rays revealed that the right side of his pelvis had shifted and become unstable.
“The orthopedic surgeons believe that given the fact that the left limb is non-functional, Prince’s best chance for a functional right hind limb is to surgically stabilize the pelvis at this time,” says Dr. Verdino, Senior Vice President, Chief of Veterinary Staff at Animal League America’s Pet Health Centers. “They also advise that he will need a lot of rehabilitation after his surgery to kick-start functional improvements.”
After Prince’s surgery to stabilize his pelvis he will spend several months in recovery and rehabilitation. No one knows right now if Prince will be able to walk again on his own, or need the assistance of wheeled cart. What we do know is Prince is a fighter and has shown no signs of giving up. So we won’t give up on him. As a member of our Help Me Heal Program, Prince will continue to receive whatever he needs, including intensive rehabilitation, to give him the best chance for the best quality of life.
But we can’t do it alone. Will you help Prince on his road to recovery?