A Yorkshire terrier/chihuahua-cross by the name of Pepi, who belongs to City Times sports journalist Jemma Pringle, is making a miraculous recovery after falling from the balcony of a two-storey flat in Boksburg in January.
Jemma wants to share her story and some tips from a vet on how to manage anxiety in pets, which is what she believes caused Pepi to fall from the balcony.
The fall happened at a friend’s flat and resulted in contusions on Pepi’s lungs, a bruised spinal cord, two fractured vertebrae and paralyses in his back legs. The little dog is only two years old.
Jemma was at work at the time, but thankfully people living below the flat took quick action.
ALSO READ:
“They didn’t know where Pepi had fallen from when he landed in their garden. When I left my friend’s flat for work that morning I had ensured the balcony door was closed and that Pepi had everything he needed until I got back.
“It is still a mystery how he got onto the balcony. I can only imagine he was stressed at having been left alone in a strange place, but it still doesn’t explain how he got onto the balcony,” Jemma said.
“The residents of the flat below took him straight to the SPCA and when arrived they told me his back was broken and that I would have to put him down. I was not having this though so I rushed him to a vet in Boksburg – they told me the same thing! Neither places could do an MRI scan.
“This is when I decided to take Pepi to the Fourways Veterinary Hospital and Specialist Referral Centre, as I was told they do MRI scans and emergency surgeries.”
Jemma recalls it was all hands on deck when she arrived at the vet.
“Dr. Neels du Plessis and everyone kept me calm and did all they could for Pepi – and more. He stayed there for just over two weeks, on and off, and after I brought him home is when the recovery process really began,” she said.
Pepi was placed in a full cast and brace and it took around a week and a half for him to start expressing his bladder and excreting by himself.
“He still needs me to take him outside and lift him when he needs the bathroom but he is doing it by himself. This really makes my heart happy,” she explained.
“His back legs are still paralysed, but while at Fourways they picked up slight twitches in the back legs.”
Pepi now spends every day at the AHAH Physio in Benoni, and the staff are his best friends.
“Not only has the vet been incredible but the physios too. They work on acupuncture, treadmill running and hydrotherapy and everything seems to be helping Pepi a lot.”
While Pepi was still learning to express his bladder and excrete on his own, Jemma also had assistance from Benoni Animal Hospital’s Dr Joe.
“Over the weekends, when the physio wasn’t open, they welcomed me with open arms, assisting me every morning and late afternoon to express Pepi’s bladder and make sure his digestive system was fine,” she said.
“Knowing I had assistance and help wherever Pepi needed to go was just an amazing feeling. I just want to say thank you so much to everyone who has helped my baby.”
Pepi is bright and happy and all parties are being positive about his legs returning to normal over time.
“I have all the faith in the world in Pepi. He is such a little fighter and I believe he is going to make it through this, especially with the Fourways vet, AHAH Physio and the Benoni vet on his side.
“He is eating and drinking on his own and shows excitement with lots of kisses every day when I fetch him from his day at physio.”
Neurologically Pepi was not affected at all, he is still the same cute, bubbly, little fur baby he has always been.
“I know it’s going to be a long road to recovery, but because of all the support he has, he has been recovering at a rapid rate in my opinion. I can’t wait for him to finally be able to walk again.”
The Fourways vet also suggested that Pepi could have been spooked or panicked about being alone, as some animals have certain anxieties that make them react erratically.
On February 26, Pepi attempted to stand up on his own and succeeded.
The AHAH Physio staff were so excited and sent Jemma a video. She was completely overwhelmed with excitement at Pepi’s progress.
“I couldn’t believe it, I cried all the way home. My little boy is such a fighter and the physio believe once the cast and brace is removed they will have him up in no time. I am so proud of him,” she concluded.
Anxiety in pets
Just like us, our pets can become stressed as well.
According to Dr Analize Theron of Fourways Veterinary Hospital, the causes of stress/anxiety are varied and can include scenarios like change in behaviour or routine, inter- or intraspecies conflict or even poor human relations.
The most common causes of anxiety are separation anxiety and noise phobias (fireworks and storms).
The signs of anxiety are often subtle.
In fact, stress-related behaviour mimics normal pet antics, so here are a few signs to watch out for:
• Change in eating behaviour (decrease or increase)
• Hiding or decreased play
• Elimination abnormalities like urine marking
• Increased vocalisation
• Excessive grooming, licking paws or lip-licking
• Aggression
• Compulsive or destructive behaviour
• Pacing or shaking
The best way to treat anxiety is to talk with your veterinarian.
He/she can help you identify the type of anxiety your pet suffers from and the possible causes and triggers.
The earlier you spot anxiety in your pet, the greater success you have in treating it.
It is important to know your pet.
To notice abnormal behaviour you must first now you’re pet’s normal behaviour, then you can tell if he’s licking his lips because he’s anxious or because he wants a treat.
ALSO READ:
Animal lovers warned not to buy pets online
Here are several things you can do to help your pet:
• Create a quiet safe place for them to escape to.
• Physical contact, like cuddling or petting, but be careful not to make them more anxious by showing them your own anxiety.
• Exercise
• Massage
• Music therapy, classical music helps to relax our pets and also blocks out scary noises.
• Pheromone therapy, e.g. Adaptil or Nurturecalm collars.
• Thundershirts.
Behavioural training
This is best to be done under the direction of a qualified behavioural specialist, but there are several strategies owners can use.
Help to also change your pets negative association with being alone to a positive experience by giving him/her something he loves like food puzzle toys.
Medication
Talk to your veterinarian about the best anti-anxiety medication for your pet but you can start with the natural supplement-products, like Zylkene or Calmeze.
