Lexi's Surgery Fund

Greetings! My name is Amy. With the support and encouragement of friends (and my local vet) I am humbly starting this “Go Fund Me” campaign on behalf of my 4-year-old dog, Lexi. Weighing in just under 7 lbs, Lexi is a Poodle/Shih Tzu/Terrier mix who loves to“go get it” (aka fetch), go for walks, and snuggle.

2 years ago Lexi fell down the stairs and broke her right front leg. After the leg didn’t heal with a splint after 4 weeks, I made the tough decision to go ahead with amputation. It was a traumatic 11 weeks from the day she broke it, until she was finally healed after battling an infection following the amputation. But once she did heal, she was off and running … literally! She never let it slow her down was becoming more social and adventurous at the neighborhood dog park. She has participated in 2 “Mini Sled Dog Race” competitions and this year won “Best of Show” as the only 3-legged competitor. She is truly a “tri-pawd” champ!

Then, on July 12th, she broke her OTHER front leg when she was startled and fell off a friend’s back deck. “Plan A” to once again apply a splint after aligning the bones under anesthetic, means she can’t get around on her own, so I used a harness & leash to support her front end so she can go potty. Then, after only a few days, no longer content to go outside merely to go potty, she started taking off down the block for short walks on her back legs! (While I continue to support her front w/the harness and leash, of course.) She continues to exceed my expectations, since we are now taking walks around the block twice a day. She even participated in the Spirit Valley Days Pet Parade in early August and won “Best Trick!” (Her “trick” was walking on her hind legs, of course!)

Unfortunately, the splint approach did not succeed this time either. So now I am faced with a decision on whether to pursue “Plan B”: a costly surgery to repair Lexi’s broken left leg. The type of surgery Lexi requires to heal is not done in Duluth or by the traveling surgeon from the Twin Cities. However, I have a good friend who is a Veterinarian and faculty member at the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. He presented Lexi’s case to a colleague who is an Orthopedic Surgeon who would be willing to perform her surgery. The estimate for surgery is around $3,000-$3,500 and it would likely need to happen in the next 2-3 weeks.

I humbly ask for your financial support for “Li’l Lexi,” my sweet, funny, and loving companion. No gift is too great or too small, and even if you cannot give financially, your prayers and encouragement are greatly appreciated.

Thank you!
Amy Kane :)
 

ALTERNATIVES?
Other options include … “Plan C”: a partial amputation and get a prosthetic below the elbow, or “Plan D”: a full amputation and get her a front end cart. There are obvious complications and costs associated with all of the options presented. (And yes, I am aware there is a final option, but I just can’t go there right now.)

FUTURE?
Lexi’s gentle temperament, ability to overcome, and love of snuggling, makes me think she would make a great “therapy dog” in either a hospital or nursing home setting. Once she is healed, wouldn’t that be awesome if she had an even greater purpose?