Nacho's Knee Surgery
Donation protected
On July 31, 2013 I found a young chihuahua running loose near a very busy intersection here in Northeast Denver (Colorado Blvd. & Bruce Randolph). I scooped him up, took him home and my then-boyfriend and I spent more than a week posting fliers on street corners, 7-Eleven windows and lamp posts, and ads on Craigslist trying to find his parents, with no luck.
Turns out, I was lucky after all, because Nacho Remington Tice-Mills became a beloved member of the family, and a sweet baby brother to his big sister Maddie.
On Friday, January 23rd, his kind and caring veterinarian, Dr. Watts at Downtown Animal Care Center determined that Nacho had been limping because his knee (right back leg) is dislocating. This is called Patellar Luxation. Since the luxation in Nachie's right knee is Grade III, the only fix for it is surgery.
Dr. Watts advised that Nacho will need his rear left knee fixed surgically as well (it is at Grade II), and initially I planned to take care of his right one first since it is causing him discomfort (or pain) and deal with the left one at a later date. But then, on Monday, January 26th, I spoke extensively with Nacho's surgeon, Dr. Umlauf, on the phone and together we determined that it would be in Nacho's best interest to do the bilateral (both knees) surgery to minimize trauma and the side effects of two surgeries, as well as continued damage (arthritis) to his knee, and the muscles in his legs.
Chihuahuas -- actually all toy breeds -- are very prone to this type of injury. I've always known that, but I never planned to become mommy to a second dog, much less a chihuahua, nor did I anticipate an injury or medical problem of this magnitude before Nacho even turned two. But, it has happened, and I am faced with a surgical vet bill that I can't even fathom being able to cover.
Downtown Animal Care Center is part of the MAXX Fund, and caters to low-income families. This surgery would likely cost a great deal more at another veterinary clinic, but I trust these doctors, and can say with absolute honesty that even if I were financially well-off, I would not take my kids anywhere but here.
It's more than slightly embarrassing to find myself in the position of needing to ask for financial help; especially in this manner, but time is of the essence and I have no alternate routes to travel.
I can only offer my most sincere thanks and utmost gratitude to anyone who's read this far, and to anyone who can contribute anything toward Nachie's surgery.
I can also vow to pay this forward any and every time I am able, for the rest of my life.
And I know that if Nacho could fathom what is about to happen and could get past temporarily hating me for it, he would offer his thanks as well.
Turns out, I was lucky after all, because Nacho Remington Tice-Mills became a beloved member of the family, and a sweet baby brother to his big sister Maddie.
On Friday, January 23rd, his kind and caring veterinarian, Dr. Watts at Downtown Animal Care Center determined that Nacho had been limping because his knee (right back leg) is dislocating. This is called Patellar Luxation. Since the luxation in Nachie's right knee is Grade III, the only fix for it is surgery.
Dr. Watts advised that Nacho will need his rear left knee fixed surgically as well (it is at Grade II), and initially I planned to take care of his right one first since it is causing him discomfort (or pain) and deal with the left one at a later date. But then, on Monday, January 26th, I spoke extensively with Nacho's surgeon, Dr. Umlauf, on the phone and together we determined that it would be in Nacho's best interest to do the bilateral (both knees) surgery to minimize trauma and the side effects of two surgeries, as well as continued damage (arthritis) to his knee, and the muscles in his legs.
Chihuahuas -- actually all toy breeds -- are very prone to this type of injury. I've always known that, but I never planned to become mommy to a second dog, much less a chihuahua, nor did I anticipate an injury or medical problem of this magnitude before Nacho even turned two. But, it has happened, and I am faced with a surgical vet bill that I can't even fathom being able to cover.
Downtown Animal Care Center is part of the MAXX Fund, and caters to low-income families. This surgery would likely cost a great deal more at another veterinary clinic, but I trust these doctors, and can say with absolute honesty that even if I were financially well-off, I would not take my kids anywhere but here.
It's more than slightly embarrassing to find myself in the position of needing to ask for financial help; especially in this manner, but time is of the essence and I have no alternate routes to travel.
I can only offer my most sincere thanks and utmost gratitude to anyone who's read this far, and to anyone who can contribute anything toward Nachie's surgery.
I can also vow to pay this forward any and every time I am able, for the rest of my life.
And I know that if Nacho could fathom what is about to happen and could get past temporarily hating me for it, he would offer his thanks as well.
Organizer
Ginny Tice
Organizer
Denver, CO
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