CT State Police Troop C Canine Recovering After Serious Medical Scare

TOLLAND, CT — Connecticut State Police canine Drago is recovering at home following a medial scare over the weekend.

Drago is stationed at the Troop C barracks in Tolland and serves Tolland County.

On Sunday, while on duty, Drago's partner, Kyle Kaelberer, noticed that he was "not his normal self," state police said.

Kaelberer rushed Drago to Pieper-Olson Memorial Veterinary Hospital in Middletown, where he was diagnosed with gastric dilation volvulus, commonly know as "bloat." It's a condition in which the stomach twists and it can become life threatening, state police said.

Veterinary Surgeons at Pieper were able to successfully remedy the condition and, after two days of observation, Drago returned home with Kaelberer Tuesday.

Drago will be resting and recovering for the next several weeks at home and at Troop C, and could back to full duty by the beginning of March, state police said.

State police said, "Troop C and Drago would like to sincerely thank the staff at Pieper Veterinary for saving his life, the staff at Animal Hospital of Rocky Hill for maintaining his health and care, the staff at NorthPoint Pets & Company for their nutritional expertise and the staff at Wizard of Paws for physical therapy assistance."

Well-wishes have been pouring into the Troop C Facebook page since the announcement Wednesday, including Vernon police, who said police dogs Tengo and Franco "will help out and cover your assignments."