THE FATEFUL DAY...... Saturday, June 14, 2008

We have read so much articles, stories and reports on negligence by groomers. But never have I imagined that it can happen to my little one.

That fateful day happened when I left Bianco with the groomer on Saturday, June 14 at about 11.30am. All it took was just 45mins after I left, to receive a call from the petshop that Bianco was involved in an accident as he ran out of the door when a customer walked in. I was told that the driver who knocked him down took him to the clinic at Sunset Way. The moment I heard about the accident, my body turned cold and all I could think was the worst. The only thing that I was grateful for, was that it wasn't a hit and run situation.

I rushed down to Mt Pleasant on Sunset Way, preparing for the worst. There laid Bianco unable to move and he was wet. The vet at the clinic spoke to me as they have gotten his x-ray done immediately when he was admitted. She told me that the accident fractured his spinal cord and the damage of it is unknown. At the time, the only information that I knew were the followings:

- brought in collapsed, panting, cyanotic with large bruise on his LHS body
- open wound on left lateral tarsal region, able to visualize ligaments and hyperthermic
- was advised that condition is not stable and might have internal organ damage due to the heat stroke that he suffered which brought his temperature to about 41degree celcius. Temperature was brought down to normal using cold shower and drip
- was advised that heat stroke is life threatening and condition might deteriorate in the next 1-2 days if internal organs were damaged

We were asked to send Bianco to Mt Pleasant on Whitley as there is 24hrs nursing care who can take care of him. We admitted him and he was immediately cared for coz his temperature went below the normal temperature and they took over from there.

Dr Goh told us that the next 2-3 days will be critical for him as they have found that his liver was bruised due to the accident and his other concern was his internal organs which they had no idea at then if it was alright. So they'll be looking out for signs like blood in his urine/stool and his bloodcount.

The other concern that they had was that he may lose his deep sensation as no one knew what extent the damage of the accident did to his nerves.

They placed him on a high dosage of pain relief and he was just in and out of consciousness. Throughout he can still recognize us as the only thing that he can move are his eyes..... and all we hope is that he can go through a surgery that will help to improve his life and also give him that chance to continue living.

At the moment, their main concern is to stabilize his condition before even deciding if hes fit to proceed with the surgery. Its that anxious two days wait that we live each day not knowing how his condition is going to be and with each day.. our prayers went out to him.

**Please note that this incident shared, is NOT with any intent to pin point the fault of anyone or even the mention of names.