30/08/2026
✨Meet Mink ✨
Did you know that we treat cats? 😻
Mink is a very special wee girl who sadly was hit by a car and fractured her pelvis. After her pelvic fracture was repaired by the wonderful team at Animal Orthopaedics Wellington, it became apparent that Mink had also suffered trauma to her sciatic nerve during the accident.
The sciatic nerve supplies several of the muscles responsible for movement of the hindlimb, including—and in Mink's case, particularly—the hamstrings. In Mink's case, the nerve injury resulted in significant weakness and neurogenic muscle wastage to her hamstrings, as well as a very distinctive way of walking.
Mink was referred to Mend to see what we could do to help slow down her muscle loss, maintain as much strength and function as possible, and support her recovery while we waited to see how much nerve function would return. Her rehabilitation wasn't simply about trying to build the hamstring muscles back up, we also needed to maintain the flexibility and health of the tissues, keep the joints moving normally, provide appropriate stimulation and exercise, and gradually encourage the limb to make use of any returning function as the nerve healed.
And her owners were so committed to helping her! Mink was largely a very compliant patient for them, although she was certainly not afraid to make her opinions known when she wasn't enjoying something 😂 Check out the last video to see what she thinks about having her hamstrings stretched (🔊sound on!).
The first two videos were taken about six weeks apart. Just look at that difference! 🤍
We're also very happy to report that Mink's owners say she's now "up to her old hijinx climbing trees and running around outside again (though she stays a lot closer to home now!)"
We love being able to share our patients' journeys with you — and Mink's is a particularly lovely example of just how much progress can happen with time, rehabilitation and some very dedicated owners. 🤍
