http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2012/03/quadriplegic-springer-spaniel-learns-to-run/
Sammi was an active, happy 8 year-old Springer Spaniel who had suddenly become a quadriplegic due to bone growing inside his spinal column, putting pressure on his spinal cord. The dog required intense rehabilitation following surgery because his surgeon was unable to remove the excess bone.
The prognosis for Sammi’s complete recovery was bleak. He could not walk at all, or even hold his little head up. Nobody was sure if he would ever walk again. Full paralysis in pets is, just as with humans, complicated and challenging to treat.
After three months of daily rehabilitation to strengthen his core muscles, including electronic stimulation, electro-acupuncture, assisted standing in the underwater treadmill, and sensory rehabilitation over a therapy ball, Sammi was able to master sitting up from a down position. Treatment was continued to pattern his legs to walk again, while constantly fighting them, as they were stiff and rigid from his neurological condition.
Then one day it finally happened — he took his first steps, and although he could not even stand and balance on his own that day, through continued rehabilitation, patience and sheer determination, he learned to walk again – and never looked back. – California Animal Rehabilit
See Sammi’s owner’s heartfelt reaction to watching him walk for the first time after months of rehabilitation.
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