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When "Chukkie" overcame a serious spinal injury
over a year ago we had hoped that his luck might change.
Instead, in recent weeks he began to develop increasingly
difficult problems with constipation. As a result of his
original injury to his spine and pelvis his large bowel
or colon had become progressively "exhausted".
This meant that it was unable to push or propel his bowel
motions through his rectum.
Repeated enemas to remove the blockages brought tears to
our eyes as well as his! His owners diligently ensured he
received his medication to try and lubricate his large bowel
and facilitate an easier passage! Despite their best efforts
we were no further forward.
The only practical solution was to surgically remove the
non functioning large bowel/colon and reattach his small
bowel to his rectum (subtotal colectomy).
No easy task, this surgical procedure has potentially
serious complications should the bowel fail to heal properly.
Additionally, there is the possibility of very loose and
frequent motions afterwards as the colon has the function
of reabsorbing water from the "stool" and packaging
it prior to "despatch".
Remarkably, as happened with "Chukkie", the small
bowel appears to have taken on the new role of fluid absorption
and seems perfectly capable of sending the bowel motions
in the right direction! Within 24 hours of surgery "Chukkie"
had provided a fine "specimen" to prove that success
was within our grasp!
Several weeks later and his sense of relief is all too
evident. Whilst "Chukkie's" powers of recovery
are all self evident I think significant credit must go
to his owners whose dedication throughout his periods of
disability are the single most important reason for his
success.
Finally, I would like to add that the cakes we received
in gratitude from "Chukkie" were some of the finest
we have ever experienced!
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