Dog makes full recovery from skull fracture thanks to Hitchin vet

Six-year-old Patch had gone out into the garden last thing at night where he fell on the steps, severely banging his head resulting in a skull fracture and traumatic brain injury.

Patch, a cross between a Cavalier King Charles spaniel and bichon frise, was left with trauma to his brain and was rushed to Linnaeus-owned Davies Veterinary Specialists in Hitchin.

Patch's MRI scan (Image: Davies Veterinary Specialists) Owner Jessica Parkes said: “We let Patch out into the garden, but when he didn’t come back after 10 minutes, we went searching for him.

“We found him at the bottom of the garden steps, unresponsive, stiff, his eyes fixed and barely breathing. We knew something terrible was happening.

“It transpired he had seen a fox and chased him up the steps, misjudging the last step and falling back, severely banging his head.”

Davies’ European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology Anne Fraser discovered that Patch had a skull fracture and a fragment of bone had become embedded in the brain resulting in brain trauma.

Patch at home after being discharged (Image: Jessica Parkes) Anne said: “Patch was in critical condition for several days, requiring intensive treatment, nursing care, tube feedings and daily physiotherapy.

“He was in hospital for five weeks, during which time he showed gradual improvement, becoming comfortable, regaining the ability to walk and eat independently.”

While Jessica knew Patch was receiving the best care under the expert team at Davies, the family desperately missed their beloved pet.

She said: “Patch is a family member and comes everywhere with us – holidays, restaurants, days out. He is loved so dearly by all of us and we couldn't believe he was so unwell.

“It was a desperately sad and traumatic experience and, while we knew he was under the most amazing team, Patch also had to fight for his own recovery.

“I was relieved when I could see him and remind him how loved he was and what he had to live for.”

The little dog did fight for his survival and, three months later, Patch is back at home and enjoying daily walks once again with his friends.

Jessica is now speaking out in the hope to raise awareness that dogs can survive brain injuries.

She added: “When Patch had his accident, I was continually searching online about traumatic brain injuries in dogs, trying to get a positive news story, and it just didn't exist.

“I want to tell Patch’s story to give hope to others in similar situations.

“Patch has made an outstanding recovery and, three months post-accident, he is doing better than we ever expected and back to his old self.

“He has weekly physio and infrared treatments and he is now back to daily 50-minute walks around the forest and always keeps up with his old buddies. If he seems tired then we go for a walk around the park for 15 minutes instead.

“We are so blessed he was transferred to the amazing team at Davies and that he fought so hard for his own life.

“The neurology and the nursing care team at Davies gave the most outstanding level of care to both us and Patch. They listened to me crying on the phone every day and never once gave me false hope, just a very honest and frank diagnosis which did help.

“Ultimately, they saved Patch’s life and we are forever grateful.”

For more information about Davies visit https://vetspecialists.co.uk.