06/03/2025
*MESSER VAN DER PLOEG - THE MIRACLE DOG*
Messer is not just a regular German Short-haired Pointer, Messer is a brave member of the van der Ploeg family and he defied all odds.
On the night of the 27th February Messer's owners phoned the emergency number with devastating news. Messer had gone on walk with them, ran off and after 2 and a half hours of searching they eventually found Messer, exhausted and badly injured with 2 big wounds on hip and chest - given there was a Nyala bull in the area it was clear (together with clear evidence of the damage this Nyala had inflicted with its razor sharp horns) that Messer and the Nyala crossed paths.
Messer was stabilized and very soon Dr Debbie English established that Messer had a massive wound on his chest, extending into his thoracic cavity and a deep penetrating wound to his hip with the main artery running through that area being missed by only millimeters.
X-rays revealed that Messer had multiple broken ribs, a collapsed lung and bleeding into his chest cavity leaving him in critical condition and with time not being in our favour.
Messer was rushed into theatre and after almost 4 hours of surgery he was still not out of the woods with the 10cm hole in his chest wall closed up, fragments of ribs removed and stabilized, the bleeding and free air under control by means of chest drain and the wound in his gluteal region also cleaned and sutured.
The first night was a very long one with Messer being monitored throughout the night and early hours of the next morning, administration of strong pain medication, oxygen therapy as well as lots of TLC and around the clock care from Dr Debbie and Ashleigh Cary.
With the first night in hospital down it was time for a visit from Messer's family and to all of our surprise Messer went on a short walk, stretched his legs and was just absolutely incredible with how much fight he had in him.
Messer spent a good few days in hospital receiving the best care and treatment and during this time became a part of the Provet family with all of us enjoying his very demanding nature, constant need to be out of his cage (where he needed to be peaceful and rest to build up his strength) walking around the park exploring, how he would use those puppy eyes to his advantage when he felt he wasn't being fed enough and just his general loving and mischievous nature.
Then the day came for Messer to be reunited with his family. Absolutely wonderful for Messer's family but a bittersweet moment for us at Provet. What a heart-warming moment it was!
Messer, who had suffered huge injuries from an incredibly traumatic event, had defied all odds and showed an extraordinary will to live, fighting the entire time and just staying so strong for the team of veterinary staff who cared for him and his dear family who wanted their beloved baby van der Ploeg home again.
What an incredible miracle Messer is and what an absolute privilege and honour to have been able to play a part in such a happy ending.
Without the love and care of such a special family, Messer would not be on such a quick road to recovery so to Tamara Vdp and the van der Ploeg family - you all deserve a medal!
VETERINARY SERVICES
