At Pasadena Humane, our shelter medicine team is no stranger to trauma. Much like with human emergency medicine, they urgently treat animal patients with a variety of life-threatening illnesses and injuries.
In March, a two-month-old puppy—later named Peanut—arrived in our Animal ICU suffering from severe injuries. The stray puppy’s entire nose was missing, and his jaw was broken and dislocated.
For our chief veterinarian, Dr. Maria Pyrdek—or Dr. P as our staff and volunteers call her—what stood out was not only the gravity of Peanut’s injuries but Peanut himself. He was bright, alert and full of energy despite the trauma he had clearly experienced before arriving in our care.
Our veterinary team didn’t know whether treatment would succeed, but they believed Peanut deserved a chance.
Despite his extensive injuries, he thankfully had no major damage to his vital internal organs. And because he was so young, they believed there was a good possibility he would heal quickly and adapt well to the challenges ahead.
With skilled care, his open wounds began to heal. The team tried to keep a nasal airway open with stents, but Peanut was growing fast and had all the energy of a healthy puppy. He removed the stents, and his nasal passages sealed in less than an hour.
Even with those setbacks, Peanut continued to improve. He was an energetic, playful puppy who had adapted well to breathing through his mouth.
As Peanut continued to heal, we partnered with a specialty veterinary practice for advanced imaging to ensure Peanut was on the right track. After positive CT scan results, Peanut soon found a new home with a wonderful adopter committed to caring for his special needs.
Peanut’s story is remarkable on its own. But it also reflects how much Pasadena Humane’s shelter medicine program has grown over the last decade.
Every day, our team sees animals that, through no fault of their own, have been dealt a bad hand. They may come to us with infectious diseases or from situations lacking access to the resources needed for a healthy start.
Back when I started at Pasadena Humane, meeting the needs of these animals in the numbers required was a real challenge. We couldn’t even think of taking on some of the more difficult cases like Peanut’s.
Today, that has changed. We’ve invested in veterinarians and veterinary technicians who have developed increasingly advanced nursing and surgical skills, strengthened partnerships with local veterinary specialists, and adopted shelter practices that increase our capacity without compromising care.
Now, when an especially severe medical case comes in, Dr. P is proud that we can say, “Let’s give it a try,” without compromising care for any of our other patients.
For Dr. P, Pasadena Humane’s commitment to staying current on advances in shelter medicine and applying that knowledge to patients says a great deal about our philosophy of care, as well as the community who believes in and supports our work.
Peanut’s case is unique, but the lessons learned from his care will help other animals with similar injuries and contribute to the broader shelter medicine and veterinary community.
Peanut—now named Snorkel—has settled in well with his adopter, Cassidy Thornton.
“Snorkel is such a love bug and fits right in with our family,” Cassidy shares. “We love his personality and how he is full of life. He spends his days soaking up sunshine and hanging out with the family.”
Congratulations to Cassidy, and to Peanut, who is now surrounded by love in a caring home.
To follow Peanut’s journey with us, visit our Instagram page @pasadenahumane.
Chris Ramon is president and CEO of Pasadena Humane. pasadenahumane.org