by Tembra Gatlin, DVM | Photos courtesy of VCA
There are always spots for hope! In this case, those spots belong to a rescue pup named Domino.
The Humane Society of Tulsa was called to an overcrowded breeding facility that was holding more than 50 animals in unbearable conditions. One of those animals was a pregnant heeler. After she gave birth to a litter of puppies, including Domino, in November 2022, the Humane Society was able to provide a foster home for this brave mother and her pups.
After several weeks in the foster home, however, Domino suddenly lost the use of his back legs. He was lethargic, in pain, and just looked defeated. The foster contacted the Humane Society of Tulsa with asense of urgency to seek help for this poor pup, and he was rushed to VCA Owasso Animal Medical Center at the beginning of February 2023. After careful examination and testing, I suspected that Domino was suffering from meningitis. With a very poor prognosis for the pup, a veterinary assistant at VCA, Taylor Numbers, decided she wanted to give Domino a chance to fight.
At first he could not move, needed help using the bathroom, and seemed to have very little hope. Numbers worked hard making sure that Domino ate, helping him go to the bathroom, and providing physical rehabilitation and stimulation to help himregain feeling in his hind legs. After just one day of endless effort, she saw improvement not only in his motor function but also in his attitude. He began to act like a puppy again, wanting to play and cuddle. Numbers worked with Domino for about a week and a half.
After this improvement, it was decided to contact Dr. Sarah Stegman at VCA Woodland Central Animal Hospital for acupuncture and water training. Within a week, Domino’s improvement skyrocketed to kicking his feet, crawling around on his own, and using the bathroom on his own. With his continued improvement, a registered veterinary technician named Donna
Costes working at VCA Woodland Central decided to adopt Domino and continue his acupuncture and therapy.
Costes says Domino is still fighting for use of his legs but is continuing to climb his improvement ladder. He is living his best life with his new family and experiencing a happy pup life.
On September 13, 2023, Domino made a surprise visit to VCA Owasso. He’s doing great. He has a cart and continues acupuncture and therapy with Costes. And she has started to call him Furyan.
