06/30/2026
“Do you think he’ll ever walk again?” It’s one of the hardest questions a veterinarian can be asked. This is the story of Buddy and why my answer was YES.
🐾 Read on for the full story.
Hi everyone! I’m Dr. Anneka Sutton, owner and veterinarian at Fergus Veterinary Hospital. I wanted to start sharing some of the memorable cases we see in practice while giving pet owners a glimpse into how veterinarians approach challenging medical cases.
Buddy came to us after suddenly losing the use of his hind legs. The day before, he’d been running and playing normally. Within days, the weakness progressed until he was completely unable to walk.
Initially, we considered several neurological conditions. But one small finding changed everything - a few healing scabs on Buddy’s face. As a farm dog, we suspected he’d encountered a raccoon, leading us to diagnose a rare condition called Coonhound Paralysis (Acute Idiopathic Polyradiculoneuritis).
There is no specific treatment. Recovery depends on supportive care, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, and time.
There were difficult conversations about prognosis and quality of life. But despite being completely paralyzed, Buddy never lost his spirit.
I remember telling his family that while I couldn’t promise the outcome, I truly believed Buddy would walk again if we could get him through the worst part of the disease.
And they never gave up. After months of dedicated nursing care, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, and incredible commitment from his family, Buddy slowly progressed from tiny movements… to standing… to walking.
Today, Buddy is back to running, playing, and enjoying life as a normal dog.
Buddy’s recovery is a testament to what can be achieved through perseverance, teamwork, and the dedication of a family who never stopped believing in him. It was a privilege to be part of his journey. 🐾❤️
Rehabilitation at 💪
