:UPDATE: 08/20/25

Melia's first surgery was a tremendous success. Her right leg was the more severely affected, but the team at Wellspring Veterinarian Clinic were able to correct every issue. It has been 9 weeks since the initial operation and Melia is able to place full weight and make full use of her newly corrected leg. It is easy and clear to see how badly she required the procedure. Watching her walk, her right leg now stands straight and steady, having lost all the curvature and unsteadiness that her left still has.

So now we are asking again if anyone would consider lending us their support. Attached to this page will be a copy of her second invoice. For transparency about costs. The second surgery will be more due to increase costs of materials and other external factors. Everything is much higher in price now from medicine to anesthesia. However, we are only asking for help with the original amount we requested.

If we could simply reach our original $5000 goal, we could cover the newly estimated costs. With this help we would be left in a position to cover any additional issues or complications that may arise ourselves. So please consider lending us your support.

We wish to extend our deepest, sincerest gratitude to the donations thus far. Steph, myself, and Melia most of all are grateful beyond words or expression for all the help we could receive. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

:Original Post:

Hello,

This is Melia. Once the runt of a litter of seven, she has grown up quite well into the girl she is today. Barely past her first year and only just starting to get the hang of this whole dog thing.

In the recent weeks, Melia has started showing difficulty using her hind legs. What would start as playful walks, races and chases would often leave her limping on one rear foot or sitting out of the fun all together. Sometimes leaving her sliding and draging her legs behind her rather than stand fully again.

After bringing attention to her vet, and a referral to an orthopedic specialist, it was discovered that Melia has Grade 4 Luxating Patella's (Out of a scale of 1-4) in both her knees and severe Hip Dysplasia. These issues mean her kneecap cannot rest where it should and is permanently locked in the interior of her legs. Her legs cannot flex comfortably, and to run results in pain and partial lameness. Both her hips are lacking any cup to cradle her femural bones. The largest bone in each of her legs. There is no socket to her hips for the top of these bones to rest in. Making it near impossible for her to sit comfortably.

The veterinary surgeon was kind in explaining her circumstances and offered to do what could be done to help her with surgery. Two surgeries, involving four total procedures, all to help provide her relief and maybe even improvement in her quality of life.

The total cost of both surgeries came out to $10,800. We are asking for help with only a portion of this cost.

We have already made arrangements, picked up extra shifts, broken into our savings, and cut back on expenses to cover the full cost of the first procedures/first surgery. We are only asking for help with the second surgery. So that she does not have the procedure delayed.

This is the first we have ever turned to anyone for this kind of help. We do so now because, we care very deeply for our little pup, and want to do what we can to give her the best quality of life. Melia, as young as she is, will benefit her recovery. Her not being able to play and keep up with the other puppies, is why, we now ask for your help.

Any help, even just prayers, will be cherished. We thank anyone who took the time to even read this far and hope that you will keep this little one in your thoughts.

Many thanks,

Dylan, Steph, Ro & Melia