Featured Image Credit: Newport Aquarium
By Sarah Sharkey
A Newport penguin is facing paralysis, but is slowing inching her way towards a full recovery. Victoria is the Macaroni penguin that is attempting to overthrow the effects of a spinal cord defect.
Just over a year ago, Victoria was unable to walk at all. It seemed that complete paralysis was inevitable. The veterinarians decided to run a CT scan to see what was happening to this little penguin. They discovered a hole in her spinal cord that was causing the problem.
The aquarium’s director of veterinary survives said that “Oftentimes these things go undiagnosed due to lack of equipment, and not testing for it.”
As soon as she was diagnosed, the penguin was enrolled in a physical therapy program designed especially for her. Slowly, the treatment has been working. Since the beginning of the treatment, Victoria has regained control of her right foot and now is working on regaining control of the left foot. Little by little, she will hopefully make her way to a full recovery.
Victoria is determined to succeed but without the support of the aquarium staff it is unlikely that Victoria would be able to recover on her own. The team effort will help her get back on her feet soon!
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