Page 11 - Paws and Hooves - Spring 2024

PATIENT
STORIES

Blood donors

help save Rocco

When Ben took Rocco out for a walk in their local park, Rocco’s blood donor superheroes were Mabel, Murphy
little did they know that their lives would change forever. and Oliver. Between them they’ve given over 40 donations!
Rocco, a three-year-old long-haired Chihuahua, was You can find out more about them on pages 12-13.
viciously attacked by another dog. With substantial Your generous donations enable us to support the RVC’s
blood loss from his injuries, the RVC’s Emergency and Blood Donor Programme and fund vital hospital equipment
Critical Care team had to act quickly.
like the CT Scanner. Rocco’s road to recovery would not
Rocco had a CT scan so the full extent of his injuries have been possible without this support.
could be understood. The soft tissue and skeletal
damage Rocco had suffered was extensive.
Dr Anna Frykfors Von Hekkel, Lecturer in Small
Animal Soft Tissue Surgery at the RVC explained: At the time, we weren’t aware
“Rocco had pelvic fractures, acute kidney injuries and of how much the RVC Animal Care
had suffered severe bite wounds, including a puncture Trust were involved in Rocco’s
to his abdomen and irreparable damage to his hind
limb. Overnight we explored his abdominal organs to care. Knowing the great work
rule out internal injury and amputated his injured back being done and the amount of
leg. The blood supply to his testicle had also been fundraising that goes on behind
damaged so he required castration.”
the scenes, well it’s incredible.
The families who bring their pets
During surgery Rocco received three blood
transfusions. Dr Stefano Cortellini, senior lecturer in to give blood are amazing,
Emergency and Critical Care at the RVC emphasised: we can’t thank them enough.

Without a blood – Po Rocco's owner
transfusion, Rocco wouldn't

have survived.

Specialist teams across the RVC committed a lot of care
and attention to treat Rocco. Rocco’s owners played a vital
role too, giving him round-the-clock care at home while he
regained his strength for future surgery. Gradually Rocco
recovered and their ‘little tripod Chihuahua’ learnt how to
walk on three legs. Rocco’s other owner, Po, explained that
in the beginning: “Rocco would go to cock his leg and fall
because his back leg was missing,” but today, he walks
with confidence. Po continued: “I have to choose places to
walk where there’s going to be people, because he loves
saying hello to everyone. He’s not just a miracle because
of what he’s gone through but because of how he makes
other people feel.”
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