Photo by James Short.
Thomas, a senior Shih Tzu/Maltese mix, found his way into the care of Home At Last Dog Rescue (HAL), after he was discovered by SEPTA railroad employees along the Chestnut Hill rail line
Late last month, Thomas, a senior Shih Tzu/Maltese mix, found his way into the care of Home At Last Dog Rescue (HAL), after he was discovered by SEPTA railroad employees along the Chestnut Hill West Line.
Thomas was barely able to walk on his hind legs and appeared to be in severe pain. Thick matting made it difficult to assess the extent of his injuries, requiring sedation for a full-body shave. Once the fur was removed, veterinarians discovered multiple wounds. X-rays later confirmed several fractured vertebrae, likely caused by a direct impact to his spine.
Over the past couple weeks, Thomas has made great progress recovering from his injuries. However, he still has a long way to go. He will require anti-inflammatory medications, alongside pain medications, for the next six weeks, while he is on strict crate-rest, followed by six weeks of physical training. During this time, his spine will be evaluated regularly to ensure the fractures heal appropriately.
If you would like to contribute to Thomas’ recovery needs, you can make a donation here (https://homeatlastdogrescue.com/donate). Home At Last Dog Rescue is committed to helping Thomas recover and be placed into a forever home.
