I rescued Yuko in September of 2020. The first day I had him, I noticed he walked a little funny on his back right leg. It didn't take long for him to stop using it altogether. After x-rays, I found out he had a prior injury to his femur that he must have sustained while he was a stray in Mexico. The injury caused his femur to develop improperly, leading to bone-on-bone contact that caused him significant pain. I met with surgeons, got multiple sets of x-rays, and eventually came to the decision to get a Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO) surgery. This is a procedure where they cut off the top of his femur and allow his muscle to form scar tissue around the joint, eliminating the bone-on-bone contact.

Yuko did amazing. He recovered well and seemed to be living his best life. Now, 5 years post surgery, the FHO has unfortunately failed. His femur is ‘pistoling’ up and down as he walks, causing him significant pain again. After x-rays and a lot of conversations with multiple vets and surgeons, the best option for him to have the best quality of life going forward is to have his leg amputated.

Anyone who knows me, knows Yuko is my entire world. My heart is in a million pieces for him. But I am committed to ensuring he has a pain-free future.

I know that times are tough for many, so please do not feel obligated to donate. However, if you can contribute or share this message with others, it would mean the world to both Yuko and me.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story. Your support, whether through donations or sharing, helps so much. From the bottom of our hearts, we appreciate you.