A paralysed puppy that was suffering from a rare life-threatening condition called polyradiculoneuritis has made a spectacular recovery after 11 days in intensive care at one of the UK’s top small animal hospitals.
Mylo, a six-month-old springer miniature poodle cross, was admitted to Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service in Solihull, West Midlands, for emergency care after becoming paralysed – including losing the ability to bark, yelp and whimper.
Willows’ neurology resident Rob Clark’s expert examination pointed towards a condition called immune-mediated polyradiculoneuritis, which was confirmed by a series of complex neurological diagnostic tests.
Rob explained: “Mylo’s own immune system was attacking his nervous system, leaving him unable to move any of his legs or even lift his head. I had to prepare Mylo’s owners for the worst, as polyradiculoneuritis can be life-threatening if it progresses to paralysing the nerves which control breathing.
“The other major problem was that there is no specific medical or surgical treatment for polyradiculoneuritis, so Mylo’s recovery now depended on round the clock intensive nursing care and physiotherapy.”
Mylo was immediately admitted to the ICU at Linnaeus-owned Willows, where he was closely monitored day and night.
Rob added: “For patients such as Mylo, we have to watch and wait to see if the nerves start to heal. Some patients deteriorate and others slowly seem to stabilise and then show signs of improvement.
“The biggest danger was that he may develop secondary complications, such as struggling to breathe or a chest infection, so the ICU team were monitoring Mylo’s vital signs 24/7 and were turning or repositioning him every four hours and propping him upright for any feeding and bathing, as well as playing and interacting with him.
“Another potential complication was that Mylo could suffer long-term mobility issues when he recovered. He was paralysed from the neck down, so he was not moving his legs at all and, as a puppy, he was still in his growing phase.
“Patients who spend so much time without moving can develop a contracture, where the muscles start to contract and pull the legs into a curled-up position, which is irreversible. If Mylo did develop a contracture it would mean he wouldn’t be able to walk again and puppies are especially prone to this complication as they are still growing.”
That’s where Willows’ expert veterinary physiotherapist Emma Box became key to ensuring polyradiculoneuritis-sufferer Mylo avoided a contracture and went on to make a complete recovery.
Emma explained: “An exercise programme is essential to prevent a contracture, so I spent a long time massaging and stretching Mylo’s legs and moving his joints for him. Then, as Mylo started to recover, we began a course of rehabilitation. Firstly, we started the process of teaching Mylo how to hold normal positions such as sitting and lying. We introduced exercises which involved manually positioning Mylo into a lying or sitting position, and slowly taking support away over time.
“Initially, he didn’t have the strength to hold himself upright, but gradually you would take your hands away and he would hold himself up. Once he could hold these positions independently, you use further exercises to challenge his balance a little more – such as moving a treat from side to side and seeing if he can hold the sit or lie without collapsing to the side. These exercises don’t sound that strenuous but for such a tiny puppy recovering from polyradiculoneuritis they are incredibly challenging.
“When Mylo finally went home his owners also had a prescribed exercise plan to perform every four hours. They showed incredible tenacity and resilience with his aftercare and without their efforts I don’t think Mylo would have made the recovery he did.
“There were a few setbacks initially as we feared that Mylo had developed a contracture, but eventually, after three long months of grueling rehabilitation at home and countless trips back to Willows, Mylo is now able to explore the exciting world as a puppy once again!”
Relieved owner Jason Carter said: “From what you read, polyradiculoneuritis is a very unusual disease and there could have been a number of triggers. The fact Mylo was in intensive care made it real for us and we knew it was going to be tough. The visits with the family just seeing him lying there with a drip and only able to follow you with his eyes were tearful.
“We would definitely recommend Willows. If it wasn’t for their quick polyradiculoneuritis diagnosis and the care given from the vets and physio Emma, we know Mylo wouldn’t have made it.”
Willows offers specialist services in anaesthesia and analgesia, cardiology, clinical nutrition, dermatology, diagnostic imaging, emergency and critical care, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, soft tissue surgery and spinal surgery.
