From Mystery to Miracle: Yeager's Journey

As with human medicine, veterinary medicine is never an exact science. When a patient comes to Dublin Animal Hospital with symptoms that cannot be easily explained, the veterinarian faces the considerable challenge of finding the right treatment when they can't be sure of the diagnosis. In every veterinarian's career, there is a particular case that stands out. For Dr. Katie Phillips, a German Shepherd named Yeager is one.


Yeager with his favorite veterinarian, Dr. Katie Phillips

 Leslyn and Don Groccia are long time clients at Dublin Animal Hospital, and they always make sure that their three dogs and two cats get to see Dr. Katie Phillips. "When Dr. Phillips treats our animals, we really feel like she is caring for them as though they were her own", Leslyn explains. 

She recalls the evening in 2008 when she noticed her German Shepherd Yeager was suddenly limping on one of his front legs. She thought at first that he must have played too hard with the other dogs - but thinking it better to be safe than sorry, she took Yeager to the emergency clinic.

After examining Yeager and taking some X-Rays, the veterinarian on duty diagnosed him with a sprain and applied a cast to the injured leg - instructing the Groccias to follow up with Dr. Phillips within a week. But only a few days later, Yeager wouldn't eat. Even more alarming, they could see blood seeping from beneath his cast - they rushed him to see Dr. Phillips.
When Yeager arrived at Dublin Animal Hospital, Dr. Phillips set about removing the cast on Yeager's leg. She was shocked to find the skin underneath was covered in deep bruises. Upon shaving the leg for a closer look, the skin began to break and tear. While it was almost immediately clear that this was not, after all, a sprain - Dr. Phillips was at a loss to explain what could be wreaking such havoc on Yeager's body. Her only clue was a tiny puncture wound at the top of his leg - so small that it might not have been visible had the leg not been so swollen. Dr. Phillips wondered - could Yeager have been bitten by a poisonous snake or spider?

While the cause of his symptoms weren't immediately clear, Dr. Phillips did know that Yeager would need to be hospitalized in order to be properly cared for by the staff. He would need fluids, antibiotics, and very careful treatment of his wounds. A special kennel area was prepared for Yeager - one that must be constantly sterilized to prevent infection or further damage to his tissues.

Day after day, Yeager's health continued to decline. The bruising spread from his leg to his abdomen, as the poison in his system spread and ate away at the skin tissue. He required numerous procedures to remove dead tissue so that his body could attempt to heal. During his nearly four week long hospital stay, the technicians and veterinarians kept constant watch over him. His bandages needed to be changed daily, and this had to be done under general anesthesia to prevent Yeager from suffering too much pain.


Yeager during the worst of his ordeal, undergoing tissue repair

The Groccias visited with Yeager at the hospital and fervently hoped their beloved dog would somehow pull through.
Dr. Phillips' prognosis was hopeful, but guarded. The damage to his system had been so extensive - would her efforts be enough to save him?

Finally, a breakthrough - the poison appeared to have spent itself, and Yeager was beginning the long process of healing. Much to his family's delight - he was even ready to return home! Each day for several months, he would have to return to the clinic for bandage changes, and much to everyone's relief - every bandage change showed that he was indeed healing and growing new, healthy tissue.

Leslyn remembers Yeager being so familiar with the hospital by this point, that immediately upon arriving he would trot straight to his special kennel! Yeager had become quite the celebrity - easily charming the entire staff with his sweet personality. While we all hoped he'd be back to his normal self as soon as possible - he was certainly not a patient we minded seeing every day!

And, five long months later - he was back to his old self. Leslyn says that she knew Yeager was "Yeager" when he finally started playing with his sister Chloe again!

To look at him today, one would never guess how close Yeager came to losing his life. If not for a quick thinking, fast acting owner and the dedication of his very special veterinarian, he most likely would not be here today. While it is still not completely clear what happened to Yeager, the most plausible explanation is that he was, in fact, bitten by a spider. And not just any spider - Yeager's symptoms most closely match the devastation caused by the venom of a brown recluse.

He is truly, one lucky boy.

And we're lucky to know him.