Let's Talk About Aysa | Update 9/22/2022

Nicole Wertz • September 23, 2022

Aysa recently flew from Indiana to Pennsylvania to join us at the haven.

Aysa recently flew from Indiana to PA to join us at the haven. We were aware she had paralysis and we were prepared to try everything we can if it would help. Water therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic care, surgical intervention by a specialist. Whatever we could if there was a chance to make an improvement.

Joey's P.A.W was prepared to get her wheels to get her moving and upright. For whatever she needed, for every growth cycle, for life.

Here’s what we were not prepared for.

It is suspected that Aysa was hit by a car. We don’t know for sure. We never will. When she arrived last Friday, she had a pretty angry looking pressure sore. This can happen much like bedsores in people. We started her on antibiotics, antibiotic cream, cleaning with antibacterial and anti fungal shampoo. And then we awaited her appt at our vet yesterday.

Aysa had an exam and X-rays completed. They are included below. A dogs spine is comprised of four separate sections. The cervical spine in their neck area, the thoracic spine that is above their ribs, lungs, and heart, the lumbar spine over their remaining internal organs, and then the pelvic area.

Aysa suffered catastrophic damage to her thoracic spine. Three to four of her vertebrae were damaged so badly that when they healed it’s as if there is now one big ball of bone. This is irreparable. No matter what we could attempt, or wish to try…. There is no fix. There is no answer to making it better. Because of where the damage occurred, she does still have some feeling in her legs. She can feel her feet being touched. She stretches her legs out from time to time, she will kick if her toes are tickled. And while you may think that’s promising, the truth is… that’s actually worse than having no feeling at all for her. Because she can feel pain. She has no way to adjust her body to not be painful due to the damage inflicted in her thoracic spine.

In the next X-ray, the area circled shows that she is already experiencing calcification areas and already has arthritis. This technically should not be possible because arthritis is generally caused by wear and tear or overuse of the joints and bones over time. She can’t and hasn’t used those areas of her spine in a long time.

In the following X-ray, the blue area is basically what a normal section of spine should look like. Dense, full and solid. The purple circle, shows where her spine has lost massive bone density. You can almost see through them.

In the last X-ray, it shows her pelvis. Her hips suffered no damage or fractures. However her legs have grown abnormally. Her right femur is crooked. Her tibia and fibula have not properly formed. This also is unfixable.

Her sore was examined and we were given more antibiotic cream and antibiotics. This sore is so deep and so massive that it will be a lifelong struggle. It is the side she feels most comfortable lying on. It more than likely won’t ever fully heal.

Putting her in a rear wheelchair very well could make her spine worse because of the placement of the injury and the way it has healed itself. She is 100% weight bearing on her front end.

So. What is her prognosis?

First and foremost, Management. She has been placed on rimadyl for inflammation and pain. She is on antibiotics. She will have her wound cleaned and redressed daily.

The always amazing Joeys PAW immediately changed gears and is sending her a quad wheelchair that will arrive Friday. This will take the pressure off her front end as well. And then, they are having a custom chair made just for her. To her specifications.

They also supplied a stroller that we can line with padding to take the pressure off her wound, and so when she’s not in her chair but still wants to be out, she doesn’t have to do the work.

Here is the hard part though. She does not currently show that she is painful, even if we know she has to be feeling some. Dogs have this innate ability to mask pain. So, we will watch for changes. We will monitor her closely each and every single day. And we will make sure that every day she is here, will be one she is cherished.

If a time comes where we see that her days are not filled with the happiness and joy that she currently possesses, that her days are getting harder and more painful, her days are a struggle, we will not let her live in pain. We will make a decision at that time, to free her of a body that is failing her in ways no one’s ever should. We will not let this beautiful being suffer needlessly when we know how radiant her soul is. And it is. She is amazing. And she is beautiful. And our hearts already love her so incredibly much.

We named her Aysa because it means beautiful. It means radiant. It means healer. While we can not heal her physical body no matter how badly we may wish to, we can be certain that her heart will never again need healed.

Aysa will require much medical care and if you are in any way able to help with that, it is appreciated.

____________________

The ways you can help:

Venmo AbbysAngelsanimalhaven

CA AbbysAngelsAH

Zelle 814*279*7287

Or you can mail to us:

Abby’s angels

120 W Pitt street StrFrt 2 Bedford PA 15522

Or directly to the vet:

VMC 609 hospital drive Everett PA 15537

_____________________

We truly appreciate all of your help, your thoughts, your well wishes, and all the love you can send her way. She’s worth trying for. She’s worth the days we can give her. And she is worth more than what she has been dealt.

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