You may remember that we told you of Nova’s accident, in February this year, when she stepped on some broken glass whilst on the morning walk along the old railway lines. We would like to give you an update on her progress.
After her emergency operation in February, Nova spent the next six weeks in bandages, unable to put her foot to the ground. She had weekly visits to the vets, to deal with dressings and several infections. All walks were banned and she could only go into the garden to toilet. She had to wear a plastic bag on her foot if it was per chance raining. These were the only opportunities Nova had to be outside- bearing in mind she is still a puppy and loved life, chasing her Mum and generally living life at 100 mph.
Nova slipped into depression – everything she loved was no longer available to her – she refused to eat, slept for 23 hours out of 24 hours in any given day and turned her back on the world.
The weeks slipped by and Nova’s bandages initially reduced and finally removed. She was unable to walk as she couldn’t put her foot down due to the pain. However, ever resilient she adopted a way of carrying her leg and moving, somewhat slowly, on three legs.
As progress was not as expected, Nova saw a specialist Orthopedic Veterinary surgeon who suggested further operations and a possible bone graft and a metal plate.
A decision was made to seek alternative treatments and postpone the operations Nova now attends physiotherapy and hydrotherapy twice a week. The physiotherapy is intensive and away from sessions Nova has home treatment four times a day courtesy of a bean bag strapped to her leg to encourage strengthening and lengthening.
The cheeky, inquisitive, beautiful Nova is still present – she tries her best to cheat at the physiotherapy – walking around the obstacles she should be stepping over and beginning to play more with her Mum and sister Trixie, when she should be concentrating on her walking. She has regained her appetite and is desperate to be out once again, off lead, with her friends and engaging in general marauding.
Nova’s career in the show ring is definitely over – she lost half a pad from her foot in the accident and of course her gait is interesting to say the least. However, there is deep gratitude that Nova did not bleed to death on the field immediately after the incident.
The decision to smash glass and leave it in the middle of the field was costly – not only financially but emotionally. It has been an absolute roller coaster from February to now and continues to be so. Please, please think about the consequences of your actions – it may take seconds to throw away a bottle or glass and carry on with your day without another thought – but for Nova and others like her – it is life changing. Life will never be the same again because of one thoughtless action.