GULLIVER

 A State Trooper found a young boxer we named Gulliver cowering in the bushes on the side of the highway after he was apparently hit by a vehicle and left to die.  The officer coaxed him out of his hiding place where he had taken refuge.  He scooped Gulliver up and gingerly placed him in his cruiser; he immediately knew this poor frightened boxer needed emergency medical attention. 

 The doctor at the animal hospital examined Gulliver, stabilized him,  and determined that he would need to be treated by an orthopedic specialist to get the best care.  He had a severely broken jaw, several broken teeth, multiple scrapes and bruises, and a pneumothorax (air in the chest cavity).  At this point NBR received the call asking if we could help.  We immediately made arrangements to take Gulliver to the emergency facility at Tufts Small Animal Hospital.

 When we arrived to pick up Gulliver we did not know what to expect.  We were horrified to see his lower jaw dangling like a broken twig, but we were amazed at his fortitude.  The hospital staff could not say enough about his courageous spirit; obviously he won their hearts.  The staff did  an excellent job stabilizing his injuries.  They treated him with special care,  and were sad to see him go. 

 When we arrived at Tufts emergency, they took Gulliver in immediately.  His case was the most critical in a waiting room full of patients.  We anxiously awaited word on his prognosis.  The doctors that examined him could not take x-rays of his jaw due the pneumothrorax; this procedure would require sedation.   They felt he was stable enough to wait for the orthopedic specialist to evaluate him further the following day.  They told us it was questionable that Gulliver’s lower jaw could be saved. They kept him in ICU, administered IV fluids and pain medication, and kept a watchful eye on him throughout the night.

 The next day we received a call from the orthopedic surgeon.  Upon examination he felt that Gulliver was stable enough for surgery and he was ready to attempt  the repair.  Unfortunately, the surgeon’s exam still revealed an injury so severe that it was questionable if the jaw could be saved.  His upper mandible was also fractured, but this break was not the main concern.  Both sides of the bone on his lower mandible were completely sheared off and part of the bone had been ground to dust.  We gave the OK to the surgeon to do whatever he could and we prayed for the best.  We knew if anyone could save Gulliver’s jaw it would be Dr. McCarthy.

 After three hours of grueling surgery, we received the awaited call.  All but the front segment of the jaw that held Gulliver’s incisors were able to be saved.  The repair required  alignment of the pieces of his jaw.  The bone was stabilized with wire, and four metal pins were inserted on each side.  Everything is held together by a formidable metal external fixation devise.  Gulliver did well throughout this long ordeal.  He was doing well enough that the doctors felt he could go home in two or three days. 

 We had a brief scare the following day. They called to report that Gulliver was running a fever.  Due to the severity of his injury, and the complexity of the surgery, there is always the possibility that an infection or tissue failure could cause the repair to go bad.  Luckily this proved not to be the case… for now.  The doctors prescribed a stronger antibiotic and once again Gulliver defied the odds.

 Gulliver has been released from the hospital and is recuperating from surgery with his foster family.  Gulliver has two skin sutures on his lower lip that are absorb-able and will fall out on their own. The sutures in his mouth are also absorbable and will not need to be removed. These should dissolve within four to six weeks.

 Gulliver will need to have more radiographs taken in six to eight weeks to evaluate how his bone is healing.  If the mandible is healing appropriately the External Skeletal Fixator may be able to be removed at the end of that period.  Gulliver is on three types of medication: Rimadyl (an anti-inflammatory), Clindamycin (an antibiotic), and Tramadol (a narcotic pain medication).

 This brave boy has many more obstacles to overcome, but his spunky attitude will no doubt help with his recovery.  Everyone who has come in contact with Gulliver has made a point of commenting on his incredible spirit.

 As you might imagine the bills for Gulliver’s care are high, and we desperately need your financial support.  NBR strives to give the best care available to all of the dogs in our rescue program and our funds are repeatedly being drained.  We do not want to be faced with turning away another Gulliver, Winslow, Diamond, Cobe, Jewel, or the many other injured boxers we have taken in over the years who have needed costly help.