Zeus's Amazing Recovery

Zeus, a three-year old Labrador mix, came in on emergency after being hit by a car. He arrived in critical condition—his body was in a severe state of shock, and he was completely paralyzed from the waist down. X-rays revealed a slight movement between two of the vertebrae in his back, indicating serious trauma to his spinal cord. He also suffered multiple pelvic fractures. Because Zeus had no feeling in his hind legs, his chances of walking again were grim. Despite the bad news Zeus's owners believed that their dog would recover. "He's the strongest dog I've ever met," his owner reassured the veterinarian, Dr. Miller. "If any dog can make it through this, he can."

The X-ray showing Zeus's vertebral subluxation.

Zeus's owners elected to treat in the intensive care unit (ICU) with the suggested regime of fluid therapy, steroids, and pain management. Zeus ultimately proved his owners right. Against the odds, the next afternoon Zeus took his first tentative steps and brought tears to the eyes of the technicians and doctor in the ICU. He was discharged from the hospital two days after he arrived still weak yet wagging his tail and pulling his owners toward the car.

The X-rays of Zeus's multiple pelvic fractures

Zeus still has a long road ahead of him—for the next eight weeks following his discharge from the ICU, he will need to be strictly rested and on medication for his fractures to heal but his long-term prognosis is excellent. Dr. Miller hopes that by summer he will be able to hit the hiking trails again. Zeus is a reminder to all of us about the power of emergency medical treatment and the will of a dog to survive.