Roo's Medical Care

Roo is a chihuahua born with only two legs and abandoned in a ditch at 6 weeks old. After being rescued, he met his lifelong best friend - a white rescued Silkie chicken named Penny. They would go on to become ambassadors at Duluth Animal Hospital where mom worked, patrolling the reception desk, begging for treats, and greeting clients. After a photo of theirs went viral online, Roo and Penny were featured on National Geographic Wild's Unlikely Animal Friends show, Sunrise Australia, the front page of the Gwinnett Daily Post, Cesar Milan's magazine, and then several childrens and adults books like Unlikely Friendships : Dogs and more. They began doing children's school visits to teach the kids about animals and what it means to be different, and have visited churches and many community events with the animal hospital.
Roo has been through so much in his short life, and his Penny Chicken as well. He has had two knee surgeries (the last less than 2 weeks ago). Penny nearly died just two weeks ago and was saved at the University of Georgia's avian ward, where she then underwent abdominal surgery to remove an egg that had perforated her reproductive tract and landed in her abdomen. She was brought back home to Roo only two days ago and still on the mend. Roo went into a massive seizure last night, his head swelling horribly, foaming and vocalizing. Rushed immediately to UGA's emergency hospital, he had another seizure on the way. It is impossible to know exactly but it is thought he may have accidentally smacked his head on something hard or sharp at home, possibly fracturing the bones in his face. A freak accident at just the right moment, at just the right angle. He is so small, and yet so mobile and independent. He is currently undergoing MRI and CT scans with the neurologist, and he will be evaluated by the ophthalmologist to assess damage to his eyes due to swelling. We have no idea at this time what will be needed (surgery, supportive care, etc) but his bills have risen to several thousand dollars in just 12 hours. We will do whatever is needed to provide whatever care he needs. His chicken overcame insurmountable odds to come home to him - now he will beat the odds to come home to her.

We thank you for everything - prayers, help, support, well-wishes, every positive comment and message we've received. Penny and Roo have touched so many lives all over the world and they have so much left to do in this world, many more years together. More kids schools to visit, community events to organize, days at the hospital. They have so much life left to live and we'll do everything in our power to make it happen.



http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/wild/unlikely-animal-friends/videos/rolling-with-the-chicks/