21/05/2025
🌟Trey's Journey - Part II🌟
Dr Lauren got to see Trey for her first assessment after she was discharged from Massey Vet Hospital and safely back home in Wellington. Trey had already improved so much, she was able to sit up on her own (a big milestone!).
On assessment Trey was noted to have a very ataxic (wobbly and uncoordinated) gait which was worse on her right side. Her right front leg would often cross over in front of her left, and she would often try to walk on the top of her foot (or simply drag it behind her). Her hindlegs had a very wide-based position when standing, and when walking she struggled to initiate her legs in the proper order and required support. Trey was able to take a few very uncoordinated steps, but without assistance her right front leg would collapse and she would fall.
Trey was making leaps and bounds with her progress and wanted to do so so much (she was so keen to be up and running again!). Unfortunately for Trey, the research shows us that when rehabilitating a spinal injury it's very important to walk before you can run...or in Trey's case, sit before you can stand! Trey's early rehabilitation focused on getting her spinal cord to engage in a coordinated manner with her limbs by doing exercises focused on sitting and standing. We targeted small movements that tap into the reflex patterns and help rebuild the neurological pathways. Trey also received hydrotherapy three times per week in addition to her physical rehab
After just one week of rehabilitation, Trey was able to stand on her own and began predominantly sitting up most of the time rather than laying down. If walking slowly she could mostly keep her right front foot the correct way up, and was she able to walk a short distance unassisted. Such huge progress, ka pai Trey!
Stay tuned for Trey's next update 🐾🤍
