AHT Case Studies- Bella Cobden
Bella, a three month old Pomeranian weighing less than a bag of sugar, was playing in the garden with her sister Trixie. Her owner, Olive Cobden, heard a sudden burst of barking and yelping and rushed outside to find that Bella had been attacked by a large cat. She had collapsed and was bleeding from the nose. Olive took her to the local veterinarian who said she was displaying neurological signs including blindness, head tremors and ataxia. She remained there for five days and, although she did show signs of improvement, she had a large swelling on top of her head, consistent with a haematoma. Her vet decided to refer her to the specialist neurology team at the Animal Health Trust.
Dr Alberta de Stefani undertook careful physical and neurological examinations and x-rays revealed a skull fracture and soft tissue swelling. An MRI scan confirmed the fracture and a probable brain lesion. Dr Stefani suspected a severe brain infection, probably as a consequence of the penetrating brain injury.
Bella was immediately given an intravenous antibiotic but the following morning she was depressed and started convulsing. A decision was made to carry out brain surgery and remove as much of the infected material as possible. The operation went smoothly and Bella recovered well from the anaesthetic. She was put on antibiotic and anti-epileptic treatment and, although she has a soft spot at the front of her head, it will close up in time.
“I really thought I was going to lose her,” said Mrs Cobden when Dr Stefani said she wanted to operate; “but now she’s right as rain, tearing around the garden. I don’t think she would still be here if we hadn’t brought her to the Animal Health Trust.”
