AUSTIN, TX -- It is an incredible survival story. A four-month-old puppy is paralyzed and left for dead. He was rescued twice. Now he's on the road to a full recovery, but he still needs the financial help.
Friday was no walk in the park for Lyle, a four, month old lab mix. It was a walk on an underwater treadmill that's part of his therapy for Coonhound Paralysis.
"It is very rare," said Faith Wright, the Austin Pets Alive dog foster co-manager. "It is a neuritis that can be caused by vaccines in young puppies."
At the onset of the illness, dogs can only blink and swallow.
"It is scary," said Sandra Hudson, the owner of Canine Rehab and Conditioning Center. "It is scary for the dog and scary for people, because the dog does not move at all."
Lyle was found abandoned in a field and taken to Town Lake Animal Center where he was scheduled to be put down. Austin Pets Alive, aware dogs can make a full recovery from Coonhound Paralysis, removed him from the euthanasia list on September 11th.
This week, Lyle had his first therapy session at the Canine Rehab and Conditioning Center in North Austin. Out of water therapy involves balls that support Lyle's body weight while allowing some range of motion.
"He is basically having to start all over again as a newborn and learn how to do all these things on his own," said Wright.
The water therapy is key. Taking advantage of buoyancy, 70 percent of a dog's body weight is removed, allowing Lyle to almost float and feel what it's like to put his feet down and stand.
"What happens there is it replaces muscle memory," said Hudson. "The dog's body remembers, 'Right. That is how I am supposed to move. That is what it is like to stand up.' The joints get the normal feeling and it helps with neuromuscular reeducation."
Despite the support from the water, after only about five minutes, Lyle is exhausted. His therapist is exhilarated.
"From where I had to hold his head up the first day I worked with him and then today," said Hudson. "Not only did I not have to hold his head up, I did not have to move any of his feet. It was pretty amazing."
Austin Pets Alive said Lyle will require at least two more months of therapy.
"For me, here is another ray of hope from 9-11," said Wright. "Good does come out of that day if we are able to save another little life on that day."
Lyle's therapy will cost up to $2,000. There is a fund set up to raise money for his rehabilitation and you learn more about how to donate here .
