First, let me tell you Ellie’s story.
Ellie was found with 7 siblings when she was about 1 month old, she weighed 3 lbs. Because she was the runt, this saved her life. Her and a brother that was injured went to one foster home, and the other siblings lost a battle with Parvo.
I met and adopted Ellie when she was 12 lbs and 12 weeks old. She’s been a fighter since the very beginning!
As she and I spent more time together, I noticed her increase of water and urinating, especially for a puppy her size. Through so many tests, and trial and errors, she was diagnosed with Diabetes Incipidus, that maybe only 5% of puppies have…. So she started medication at 6 months old, and lives an amazing life!
At about 7-8 months old, I started to notice her limping, and sometimes not even being able to walk. As I’d go to help her, she’d stand up and start to play… such a drama Queen! Or… she has a floating knee cap (Luxating Patella). We started glucosamine right away and life was good!…. Until a few weeks ago.
Mid March I noticed that Ellie had started to limp when playing. This went on for about a week, until I was able to get her into see the vet. There we did X-rays and got some meds to help calm her down… and hoped for the best. 10 days later, Ellie stopped using her back right leg to go down the stairs, couldn’t get up onto the bed, and even was heard crying when playing with her best friend, Zeus.
All this being said, I got a consultation done and was told “your dog 100% needs surgery.” She is at a level 3 of 4 with a floating kneecap and every time she walks, her bones are grinding together.
With this special pup, of course a special surgeon is needed.
I have to put my pride aside and realize I have an amazing tribe… and I’m asking for anything to help me make ellie more comfortable and give her back her quality of life!
It will be 6-8 weeks of recovery, 3 of those in a cone (and specifically a cone, not a donut) do to the location of her incisions. During those 6-8 weeks, she will be significantly sedated and not able to be off a leash or out of her pen.
Her surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, May 3rd. She will remain overnight to be monitored at the hospital, and if all goes well, she will be home sweet home (just limited to the 1st floor for a while) on Thursday, May 4th.
If you know me at all, you know how difficult it is for me to ask for help… especially financial support… and I’m at such a loss for this unexpected expense. Anything…. Anything is more than appreciated.
With so much Love,
Jen and Ellie