DEPUTY SEES CANINE PARTNER THROUGH SURGERY.Byline: Karen Thacker Community Columnist When one of their own is down, law enforcement officers are famous for rallying to a comrade's side. A police canine canine or canid Any domestic or wild dog or doglike mammal (e.g., wolf, jackal, fox) in the family Canidae, found throughout the world except in Antarctica and on most ocean islands. proved no exception to the rule. Close to death from a serious intestinal disorder, the German shepherd German shepherd, breed of large, muscular working dog perfected in Germany at the turn of the 20th cent. It stands about 25 in. (64 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 60 to 85 lb (27.2–38.5 kg). named Gello who has helped patrol Palmdale for three years went through emergency surgery Thursday morning with partner Deputy Patrick Hayes Patrick Hayes may refer to:
Hayes spent the next two nights at the Palmdale Veterinary Hospital, sleeping on the floor next to Gello. ``I kind of need to be here to keep him company and help him heal faster,'' Hayes explained. Hayes wasn't the only law enforcement officer concerned about the 6-year-old dog's health. ``It seems every police officer in Palmdale came through that night,'' said veterinarian veterinarian /vet·er·i·nar·i·an/ (vet?er-i-nar´e-an) a person trained and authorized to practice veterinary medicine and surgery; a doctor of veterinary medicine. vet·er·i·nar·i·an n. Lynn McEwan, who performed the surgery. McEwan said Gello was suffering from a disorder called meserenteric vovulus, meaning his intestines Intestines The intestines, also known as the bowels, are divided into the large and small intestines. They extend from the stomach to the anus. Mentioned in: Malabsorption Syndrome were twisted 360 degrees, compromising the flow of blood and oxygen in and out of the intestines. The normally pink intestines were completely purple. ``It was an extremely life-threatening condition and comes with an extremely poor diagnosis - most dogs don't survive it,'' McEwan said. Gello had come in Thursday morning - vomiting vomiting, ejection of food and other matter from the stomach through the mouth, often preceded by nausea. The process is initiated by stimulation of the vomiting center of the brain by nerve impulses from the gastrointestinal tract or other part of the body. , listless (programming) listless - In functional programming, a property of a function which allows it to be combined with other functions in a way that eliminates intermediate data structures, especially lists. and obviously in pain. ``He was leaning against me, holding on like a child who is sick,'' Hayes said. ``I knew he was hurting by the way he was acting - he was really sick.'' Gello had been to an emergency veterinary hospital Wednesday night and given antibiotics, but showed no signs of improvement the next morning. Hayes brought Gello to McEwan, the dog's regular veterinarian. McEwan took X-rays, but instead of waiting 12 hours for blood tests to return, he made an educated guess and decided to do exploratory surgery Exploratory surgery is a diagnostic method used by doctors when trying to find a diagnosis for an ailment. It can be performed in both humans and animals, but it is far more common in animals. immediately. The surgery went well, and after lots of anti-shock medicine, antibiotics and pain killers, the dog stayed unconscious for about four hours. That night he was walking and growling. By Friday morning, the dog walked with a brisk pull, even ran a little and wolfed down a can of food. ``It was a wonderful sign for a dog on death's doorstep the day before,'' the vet said. Hayes left his partner briefly Friday morning for a shower and a bite to eat. When Hayes returned two hours later, he decided his presence by his canine pal's side was good. While Hayes was gone, he said, his dog ``knocked over a garbage can and cornered an attendant trying to change his IV bag.'' The city of Palmdale purchased Gello three years ago for almost $7,000. A contract with the Sheriff's Department teams Gello with Hayes full time to do tracking and conduct searches. Gello is titled a Schutzhund 3, the highest level of ability under the German police dog categorization. Last year, he placed second overall at police canine trials in Las Vegas Las Vegas (läs vā`gəs), city (1990 pop. 258,295), seat of Clark co., S Nev.; inc. 1911. It is the largest city in Nevada and the center of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. for the western United States Noun 1. western United States - the region of the United States lying to the west of the Mississippi River West Santa Fe Trail - a trail that extends from Missouri to New Mexico; an important route for settlers moving west in the 19th century . Gello was scheduled to compete this week, but his illness makes that questionable. The dog, who lives with Hayes and his family, went home Saturday. ``I convinced myself for a long time that he was just a dog, but yesterday I realized it was more,'' Hayes said. ``He had me teared up a bit.'' CAPTION(S): 2 Photos PHOTO (1--Color) Gello the police dog gives his partner, Deputy Patrick Hayes, a kiss while recovering from surgery at the vet. (2) Deputy Patrick Hayes gives his Palmdale patrol partner, Gello, a little scratch behind the ears. Jeff Goldwater/Daily News |
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