Bindi needs a doggy ACL reconstruction

Hi All,

Leia and Bindi here. Bindi is my 8year old rescue staffy.

I've had Bindi for 18months since her human Mum died leaving her and her human siblings needing to find a home. Bindi keeps in touch with her family, we usually meet and go for a run at the beach or park. We can't do this at the moment as Bindi is injured.

About 2 months ago Bindi begun to limp. Being me, I took the wait and see approach once the vet told me X-rays would be $600!! Sadly her left hind leg has got worse to the point that she now avoids walking on it. When she is on 3 legs you can see the shin bone wavering around as the ligament that is meant to keep them together has now totally torn. When she takes weight on it you can see her knee dislocate each step. She never makes a big deal of it, she is such a brave girl.

The vet has advised she needs TPLO Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy surgery. Cost is $5500 (assuming no extras are required) this includes 6 x weekly post -op rehabilitation(hydrotherapy and physiotherapy!!) appointments.

Since having her I have spent thousands on removal of a cancerous lump in her right leg, injections for her chronic skin condition as well as visits to the vet when she discovered some weed in the sand dunes at the dog beach. I was so worried about her. She was as high as a kite!!! I didn't recognise it! LOL I have eaten through my savings which is why I am humbly requesting some assistance to help get Bindi the surgery ASAP.

Post surgery all activity needs to be minimal for 8 weeks.

My plan is to get a dog crate for home, the car and for work. Yes I am fortunate to be able to take Bindi to work.

Bindi and I have begun lifting/carrying training. She is 25kg, we live up 4 flights of stairs that I am going to need to carry her up and down. It's definitely a workout. Initially she would not let me lift and carry her but she is now a lot more calm when she hears my 'lift' command.

We have begun exposure therapy to crate training tonight. I gave her dinner in a crate!! She stood half in to eat!!

Yesterday I tried pushing her in our new (second hand) beach trolley hoping that I can take her for 'walks' post surgery. She jumped out of the trolley!!! oooops. She was much better in the corridors, where I went very slowly, she didn't escape!! So we will have to practice these so she is familiar with them and anxiety levels for both of us are minimum.

All funds will go towards Bindi's TPLO surgery and post op care. We would be so very grateful for any help at all. I will keep you updated on her progress once we are able to get the surgery.

Fa'afetai tele lava/Thank you very much

Leia & Bindi