This was a tragic day 12/21 /2024 for my beautiful German Shepard named Heaven. She jumped a wall on my property she was antagonize by another dog in front of my house. We rushed her to the hospital where she was given pain meds , X-rays, blood work. They wrapped her legs both front legs are damaged. Waited 3 weeks to see an orthopedic doctor to see if she would heal at all to find out that she will never walk normal again without full braces and physical therapy for both front legs. The surgery would cost close to 20,000 with a risk and No guarantee of being ok. I’m looking to give her back some quality of life she loves playing soccer which she probably will never be able to again unless she can with the braces. Her birthday is coming up on January 30th she will be 7 Heavens wish is to be able to go potty without assistance. Unfortunately I’m a widow on low income this is the reason why I’m reaching out to help pay for meds, braces, hospital bills and therapy. So please find it in your heart to help my baby girl get some quality of life back. Whatever you can donate will be great fully appreciated from the bottom of mine and heaven heart. Here is her diagnosis which divested me totally my heart is shattered.

Heaven is presented for evaluation of Bilateral Thoracic limb lameness.

Acute onset lameness on 12/21/2024 - Heaven was in the yard; she jumped over a wall She landed on concrete and she became non-ambulatory on both front limbs.

Seen at VEG Oceanside that day; PE: non-ambulatory on both front limbs with dropped carpus bilaterally. Marked effusion and

discomfort on carpal palpation/ROM - right worse than left, with increased joint mobility. Support bandage placed; started on

Meloxicam and Gabapentin

Bilateral antebrachiocarpal lateral soft tissue thickening and suspected right ulnar carpal bone chip fracture.

Current meds:

-- Gabapentin 300mg capsule - 1 cap PO BID-TID

-- Meloxicam 1.5 mg/mL - 3.2 ml PO SID

MUSC. SKEL: Ambulatory; Severe palmigrade stance bilaterally; minimally weight-bearing; Bilateral hyperextension of the

antebrachial carpal joint with increased lateral laxity and mild pain on manipulation;

I discussed the above with the family. We discussed x-ray findings from December.

The best option is bilateral pancarpal arthrodesis (fuse the bones of the antebrachial, middle carpal, and carpometacarpal joints in a functional

position). However, bilateral arthrodesis requires a few days of hospitalization post-op as Heaven would not be able to walk shortly after

surgery. We discussed potential complications (infection, hemorrhage, implant loosening or failure), and care following surgery (eight weeks of

strict rest followed by eight weeks of a gradual return to activity) was discussed in detail. Unfortunately, this type of surgery is rather extensive

and best performed at 24-hr facility not an outpatient surgery center.

If family is not able to abide to the recommended surgery, then custom braces can be considered. The brace provides some support and

comfort and allows the front limb to be as functional as possible. Long-term complications are common, though. They include brace failure,

pressure sores, skin infection etc. I advised that I do not recommend generic braces as they do not fit well and while providing some support,

they may also lead to further injuries.

Information regarding custom braces was provided to the family (Orthopets). Reiterated measurements needs to be made at vet office so that

proper angles can be chosen.

please find it in your heart to help us.

Thanking you all in advance ,

with love Lily and Heaven

Braces take up to 6 weeks to be made so we’re hoping to get this raised as a soon as possible so Heaven can start to walk again.