He won the heart of the nation after battling back from the brink following a savage mauling in Derry.
Today, more than three weeks on Bramble the golden Labrador is finally making great strides towards full physical recovery as the worst of his wounds are now starting to heal.
And although vets are cautiously optimistic, it will be about another three weeks before they know if Bramble can be moved into a foster home ahead of adoption.
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The most serious injury on his right hind leg, which was so deep his bone was exposed, is now being closed layer by layer with delicate stitching by vet Julian Kozlowski.
He said: “We cannot just close the wound entirely and hope for the best. This is a slow process and the main enemy is infection so infection control is very important. That’s why Bramble has had his wound meticulously flushed twice a day, his bandages removed and replaced twice a day.
WARNING: images of surgery follow
“Initially we worried about that wound because some of the muscle was already dead by the time the charity was able to find him and get him to us.
“That area had to be removed and the whole body hit with IV antibiotics. He was very closed down at the time, shocked and afraid but he hung in there and let us work with him although he must have been so sore.
“Now we are heading to week four of his treatment and I think we can say with some confidence now that we’ve avoided infection so far and although we’re not at the end of the healing journey yet, we are within weeks rather than months.
“I hope soon we will be asking the charity to match Bramble with a calm and loving foster home as his healing continues.”
Vet Julian has now stitched up further layers of muscle and flesh on Bramble’s legs and his neck, and has placed surgical drains in the wounds to allow any infection to escape.
Bramble is continuing to get laser treatment that uses a special light to penetrate the skin and tissue and so open up blood flow to the area - this type of treatment helps to accelerate the body’s natural healing process.
And he has been able to wear a DogEase coat made from soft bamboo material which covers his wounds and keeps surgical dressings in place, and also allows his nurses to bin the plastic cone that has prevented him touching his wounds.
He was rescued from a garden where he had hidden in brambles, and taken for emergency care on February 23.
To date no family or owner has come forward for Bramble who was out in the Glengalliagh area of Derry at 3.30am on February 22 when the attack took place.
A support team member said: “Our brave boy has been back under anaesthetic for more surgery and laser treatment, the stitch up process on his wounds has started.
“This wee man who has won everyone’s hearts has truly been through the wars but has remained the sweetest thing imaginable. There is literally not a bad bone in this dog’s body, he is loving, grateful and so easily treated by his vet team.
“His drains are still in place to let infection out but the fact that he’s now been able to have some of his wounds stitched is a great relief. He will be under anaesthetic again for more laser treatment soon.
“We simply could not have afforded the treatment Bramble needs without the amazing and beyond-generous donations from the public and we are all so grateful and send a million thanks because those donations have saved this angel’s life.”
If you wish to donate to Pet FBI Rescue, you can click here and follow the link.
