HELPING THE HURTING เรื่องราวของถุงทองใน น.ส.พ. Bagkok Post

HELPING THE HURTING


One air mattress is giving dogs with pressure ulcers a new lease on life

Story by CHOMPOO TRAKULLERTSATHIEN
September 30, 07, OUTLOOK Section p.4

Miracles happened twice to Tungthong, a 10-year-old rottweiler, after the veterinarian found part of her backbone had grown out and pressed on the spinal nerves, causing paralysis, one of the main factors leading to chronic pressure ulcers.


The first wonder came when another dog owner cancelled surgery on his pet, allowing Tungthong to jump a very long queue and receive urgent surgery at Kasetsart University's Small Animal Hospital. After the surgery the vet told Tungthong's owner, Burim Otakanon, that the dog's chance of survival was 50-50. The next morning, however, the Otakanon family celebrated as Tungthong regained consciousness.


Though Tungthong had survived invasive surgery, the next worry was how to save her from pressure ulcers. One of the most important part of Tungthong's recovery was to lie still and simply convalesce. Burim approached close friend Surasak Tabthipwattana, who had designed a special air mattresses for paralysed people.


The arrival of an Altemal Bedsore air mattress, especially for dogs with pressure ulcers, saved Tungthong once more. She lay on this air mattress for a month, without a sign of bedsores. The rottwieler then slowly started recovery, and can now stand on her own and walk normally, although she still needs regular physiotherapy.


The happiness of the Otakanon family is tangible. For Tungthong, the air mattress that saved her life has become a chew-toy.


"Tungthong is our beloved dog, and always shares happy moments with us," said Burim, who is programme chairman of the Marketing College of Management, Mahidol University. "We are so glad to see her live a normal life, like before. Now she is getting better."


A brainchild of Surasak, the managing director of Ureka Medical Co Ltd, the Altemal Bedsore is especially designed to help save dogs who potentially could have a pressure ulcer problem. Bedsores often occur with dogs that lose their mobility, even temporarily.


To prevent the infectious pressure ulcers, pet owners need to roll their pet's body from left to right occasionally.


Unfortunately, many pet owners do not have enough time to give full attention to the chronic wound. Too often, they solve their immediate problem by irresponsibly dumping the unfortunate animal at the grounds of a temple, or simply on the street. But thanks to the air mattress that helps the chronic wound heal itself faster while reducing pressure between the sore and the mattress, many dog lives have been saved. And Surasak is a happy man to be able to be involved in the life-saving treatment of paralysed dogs.


Before perfecting his mattress for dogs, Surasak experimented on pigs with pressure ulcers, noting that results were successful.


"The ulcers were cured and no more sores occurred when the pigs lay still on the air mattress. So when I heard about Tungthong's situation, I believed that the air mattress could be used for dogs that might be at risk for pressure ulcers.


"So I started this new project and Tungthong was the first dog patient."


Surasak's first step was to study exhaustively about both the anatomy and behaviour of dogs. Out of his story came the idea for the Altemal Bedsore and the belief it would work with canines.


The specifications of Altemal Bedsore are different from those of similar anti-bedsore mattresses for humans. The pet version has 12 cells that help to reduce and spread the pressure of the body and any parts susceptible to pressure ulcers such as the hip and protruded bones on the legs.


Made from nylon PVC, this special mattress is equally suitable for paralysed or old dogs. It is also useful, as the Tungthong case illustrates, for sick, large dogs, dogs that have undergone surgery, or - say - were hit by a car and need to stay still for a long while. Although the mattress is a rather light 20kg, it can absorb and help to heal a patient weighing up to 100kg.


The air mattress includes special technology to control the amount of air pressure inside as the dog presses on the mattress. An air pump alarm will automatically pump more air into the mattress if it becomes deflated.


"By nature, a dog can recover very quickly from an injury," he said. "Normally, this takes one to three weeks after surgery so long as the surgical wound is not infected. And the point is that the main cause of infection is the occurrence of pressure ulcers."


When it comes to life-saving processes, Surasak has a personal creed that makes him more determined to develop modern innovations to treat immobile dogs: All life has the right of life without physical pain.


"Some pet owners regard their sick dog as a big burden. But it is not right to love our dogs only when they are healthy. We need to take care of them when they are sick or older. They are just like an old man or old lady. They need special care and the same love from their guardian."


Tungthong was not the only dog saved by Surasak. Thong, a stray dog hit by a car, also enjoyed a new lease of life thanks to the mattress inventor.


Thong was rescued by the Home for Handicapped Animals Foundation as she struggled to survive on the street after being hit by a car. She had to lie still for months, and was suffering from several pressure ulcers which had penetrated to the bone and showed signs of impending infection. Her caretaker rolled her body intermittently but her chronic wounds would not heal.


Eventually, Surasak intervened. After Surasak helped to cure Tungthong with his special air mattress, he felt the need to help other dogs with the same problem. His first destination was the Home for Handicapped Animals Foundation, which always has a sad population of injured and paralysed dogs. He saw numerous dogs suffering from bedsores, but Thong was the worst case.


"After Tungthong's case, I realised there are still many dogs that share Tungthong's plight. So I simply want to donate the air mattress to those in need," said Surasak.


At first, Thong refused to sleep on the air mattress, but finally got used to it. A week later, when Surasak checked, Thong's sores were already beginning to heal. Soon, the dog was on the road to recovery.


"I hope to see him walk on his own feet again. I am glad that his condition is improving daily, and I am so happy to have a chance to help handicapped animals. With the right treatment they can live longer," said Surasak.


For more information about the special air mattress for dogs, contact Ureka Medical on 02-748-1250 or write to ureka@bedsorethai.com.

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