Editor’s Note: There are times when the Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital Emergency and Critical Care must turn away patients because it has reached capacity with critical cases. Wiszy is one case that required a long-term stay.
A run-In with a delivery truck left Wiszy, a six-year-old Labrador, with more injuries than a dog should have to endure.
Wiszy was initially hospitalized in late September at the Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital for polytrauma or multiple, severe injuries to different body systems. This can encompass a wide range of injuries, which Wiszy had.
Here are some medical issues the Labrador had while hospitalized…
- He was having difficulty breathing and despite being on advanced oxygen support, he was struggling.
- A CT of Wiszy’s chest, abdomen and spine showed a diaphragmatic hernia with intestines and spleen in the chest. He underwent immediate surgery to repair these injuries, resulting in Wiszy breathing better.
- Despite the surgery, Wiszy was still not walking, and an MRI of his spine revealed a non-compressive ANNPE, which is a contusion of the spine that does not require surgery.
“After the ICU team did some rehabilitation workouts and passive range of motion, slowly Wiszy started regaining movement of his hind limbs and was soon walking by himself,” said Dr. Kamila Correa, emergency and critical care resident. “He was also weaned off oxygen and did great.”
So great that just nine days after having a run-in with that delivery truck, Wiszy was discharged and is now recovering at home.
If you and your animal need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center at 515.294.4900.
October 2025