Derbyshire dog defies odds after devastating spinal injury

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A much‑loved local three year old French bulldog named Pumba has stunned vets, nurses and his devoted family by learning to walk again after suffering a catastrophic spinal injury that left him suddenly paralysed.

Pumba’s terrifying ordeal began just before Christmas, when his owner noticed he was becoming unusually quiet, reluctant to exercise and struggling to move comfortably. Within just 48 hours, things took a dramatic turn for the worse. On the morning of 18 December, Pumba was completely unable to use his back legs.

“Pumba was only two and literally overnight he became paralysed. He had no feeling whatsoever in his back legs or toes”

Pumba’s owner Rachel said.

Pumba in carrier

Fearing the worst, the family rushed him straight to Dovecote Veterinary Specialists, where he was seen as an emergency by Specialist in Veterinary Neurology Sérgio Gomes. Here he underwent an extensive range of tests including several blood tests and a CT scan.

On examination, Pumba was found to be paraplegic with no pain sensation in either hind limb - one of the most serious neurological findings possible in dogs. This was quite an upsetting moment as his prognosis was described as “guarded to poor,” with around a fifty per cent chance of recovery, even with immediate surgery.

Pumba having physio

The CT scan revealed the cause: a severe intervertebral disc herniation between the lower lumbar vertebrae, compressing the spinal cord and cutting off the signals needed for movement.

Mr. Gomes explained:

“Pumba’s condition was extremely serious. When a dog loses pain sensation in the hind limbs, the likelihood of walking again is significantly reduced. But his owners acted fast, which gave him his best possible chance. We proceeded quickly with surgical decompression to relieve the pressure on his spinal cord.”

Pumba having redlight therapy

Over one hour and with a whole team of nurses supporting the surgeon around him, Pumba underwent a left‑sided mini‑hemilaminectomy - a delicate spinal operation where damaged disc material and associated bleeding are removed. Although the spinal cord did not appear necrotic, recovery was still uncertain.

Following surgery, Pumba received intensive round‑the‑clock nursing care, including physiotherapy, assisted standing exercises and pain control. But he initially remained completely paralysed in both hind limbs. Hope was still there, even if the damage to the spinal cord had been severe.

With all surgical treatment given, Pumba returned home with strict instructions for four weeks of cage rest, daily physiotherapy, careful pain management and regular monitoring from the team at Dovecote. His owners were fully trained in how to support his rehabilitation safely. Slowly and incredibly, Pumba began to improve.

Now, six weeks after surgery, Pumba has regained the ability to walk - a remarkable outcome given the severity of his injury.

His owner Rachel said:

“When Pumba had x-rays we were told he had grade 5 IVDD - as bad as it gets. But we are now seven months post op now and although he walks with a wobble, particularly when tired, he has amazed us! We will forever be grateful to Dovecote and particularly to Sergio who made our worst nightmare, a lot easier to cope with! Sergio literally saved Pumba's life.”

Mr. Gomes added:

“Pumba’s recovery is a testament to rapid action, committed owners and the dedication of our neurology and nursing teams. Cases like this remind us why specialist care is so important. We are absolutely delighted with his progress.”

Pumba continues to build strength every day - with Rachel initially getting him physio and water treadmill therapy, then trying to build him up and strengthen his muscles - with exercises, massage and redlight therapy.

Established in 1995, Dovecote Veterinary Referrals is an RCVS accredited multidisciplinary Specialist small animal referral hospital. Over the years, Dovecote has added to its services and now offers specialist led Orthopaedics, Internal Medicine, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Oncology, Diagnostic Imaging- MRI, CT, X-Ray, Soft Tissue Surgery, Ear Nose and Throat, and Dermatology. For more information you can find us on Face Book, Instagram and LinkedIn or please visit Dovecote.