Rey
1 yr old disabled female Shiba:
Rey is a heartbreaking example of how poor puppy mill breeding practices can destroy the lives of the dogs they produce, and the humans who purchase them. Rey is suffering from he most severe level (grade IV) of patellar luxation (the dislocation of the knee), and both knees joints are swollen and arthritic. She has a deformed tibia and malformation of her femur. She is disabled; with very limited use of her hind legs.
A series of x-ryas and a CT scan confirmed that surgical intervention is required, but it was recommended that we wait until Rey has stopped growing. (She was only 7 months old when she came into rescue) In the meantime, we worked on rehabilitation and home exercises to improve weight bearing ability and range of motion, along with increasing muscle strength and reducing muscle contraction prior to surgery.
Now that Rey is a year old, she is ready for surgery to repair her legs, one leg at a time. The first surgery has been scheduled for the end of January 2022. Depending on how that goes, the second surgery will be scheduled after she is fully recovered. Stay tuned for updates.
Rey will not be available for adoption until all her surgeries are complete, and she has fully recovered and completed all necessary physical therapy. Rey is good with dogs, but has not been tested with cats. She has never lived with children, but does well meeting kids who are respectful. She is house trained, crate trained, and is well behaved. She has a walking cart, but we are hopeful she will not need it after 2 successful surgeries.
Rey doesn’t does not let her disability get her down. She is a happy, joyful, sweet little Shiba. She loves to play with toys and be near her human. Rey has been placed in a foster home that has experience with disabled dogs. We will give her some time to adjust, then get her to the orthopedist to begin assessing her condition and determine next steps. She will not be available to adoption until after she has fully recovered from surgery and we know exactly what her rehabilitation and ongoing care requirements for the next 15 years. Stay tuned!
1 Response
[…] Rey is a heartbreaking example of how poor puppy mill breeding practices can destroy the lives of the dogs they produce, and the humans who purchase them. Rey is just barely a year old and is suffering from he most severe level (grade IV) of patellar luxation (the dislocation of the knee), and both knees joints are swollen and arthritic. She has a deformed tibia and malformation of her femur. She is disabled; with very limited use of her hind legs. Read Rey’s story. […]