Tayko, the one-and-a-half-month-old puppy we recently rescued was found with abnormal breathing. Echogram and X-rays showed that Tayko’s diaphragm was torn, and his abdominal organs had shifted upwards, pressing on his heart and completely hiding it.
We initially stabilized him and brought him out of the hospital, as he seemed somewhat stable. However, Tayko quickly grew weaker. He developed diarrhoea and his breathing became more rapid. We had no choice but to rush him back to the hospital.
Our surgeon examined Tayko on Monday and discovered the severity of his condition. Tayko required immediate surgery, even though it had originally been scheduled for Tuesday. During the examination and additional X-rays, we learned that Tayko’s injuries were far worse than we thought. Beside his torn diaphragm, Tayko’s:
– Left thigh is broken.
– Left hip is broken and;
– Joints in his right hand are dislocated.
During surgery, the surgeon had to remove Tayko’s pericardium, the protective sac surrounding his heart. The pericardium was causing complications because it had been compressed by his displaced organs.
Tayko’s recovery is now at a critical stage due to the risk of hypervolemia and reperfusion injury. Hypervolemia refers to an excessive buildup of fluid in the blood, which can put additional strain on his already fragile heart and lungs.
Reperfusion injury occurs when blood flow returns to tissues that were compressed or deprived of oxygen for an extended period, potentially causing further damage. These next 48 hours are crucial for Tayko’s survival.
Once he recovers, we will begin addressing the fractures and planning the necessary surgeries.
We cannot comprehend the level of cruelty inflicted on this helpless puppy, especially during these challenging times of war. The suffering he endured is shocking.
Tayko still has a long road ahead, including further surgeries to repair his broken bones. Please keep him in your thoughts.
Thank you for your compassion and support during these difficult times.