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Saving Bean the miracle boy

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Beans story and message from family and surgeon: 

On January 10th 2020 we saved Gracie (bean’s mom) from a small rural shelter in NC (and had no idea she was pregnant). On February 17th we had a HUGE surprise – 9 amazing puppies were born! 5 days later we noticed Beans leg was horribly infected and to give him proper care, per the vets recommendations, he went to foster with Jenna.  He was on antibiotics and had to have his leg drained multiple times.  We weren’t sure if he would make it but he’s the strongest boy on the planet.  He was the last pup to open his eyes and the smallest in the litter (but with the largest personality).  Bean was the hardest foster to let go of.. we had never fostered a newborn pup and watch him grow into a loving puppy.  Since birth bean has had an uphill battle which we saw him overcome to only think he was out of the woods.  Our hearts were shattered when we received the news that he has to have his leg amputated.  Shock and tears set in….our only thoughts were: “what do you mean?!?!  He’s so young and healthy!!! This can’t be true… not bean!”  but it is true.  And we need your help.  As a rescue we do not feel this should fall on his family.  We are a small rescue with limited recourses and are reaching out to our followers for help.  We know times are hard… but if you can find it in your hearts to help us save bean we would be forever grateful.  SO many have followed and loved his journey right alongside with us.  Please help us save him. 


Dr: 
Hi Mallorie...
I got the radiologist report back on Bean, and also heard back from Dr Lotsikas.
The radiologist’s report reads:  

Left front limb:
There is moderate bony remodeling in the    humeral condyle/ proximal radius/ulna;  Virtually all the associated physes are closed, compared to the right limb.  
To interpret what the radiologist is saying:  early on in Bean’s life, there was some kind of fracture or trauma or joint luxation in Bean’s elbow.  It may not have initially been too much of a problem until he started growing. All of the growth plates in that elbow closed way too early as a result of the trauma, and it caused arthritis to begin developing, and his lameness worsened as one leg grew and the other one didn’t—he became more uneven. Puppies really hit a huge growth spurt between 16 and 20 weeks, which is right around when you noticed things worsen with him at home.  Dr. Lotsikas replied once he saw the additional radiograph we took and thought that amputation was the best option.  The only possible surgical treatment he thought could possibly be attempted is an arthrodesis—which is to use metal plates and screws to fix the joint in place so it can’t move and therefore is not painful.  He did not think this was the best solution since the leg will always be in his way.


A Message from Beans Mommy and Family:
It was just under 10 long years of making a case to my husband till we finally brought a puppy home. Home into our hearts. We introduced him to his “sisters”, Allie (4 in August) and Eleanor (17mos). Allie refers to Bean as her little brother, she takes great pride in her big sister role. Eleanor says 15 words max, “BEEEEANNNN” might be her favorite, only tied with “NO!”, of course. I was smitten from the first photo I saw of Bean and watched him grown while in Jenna’s care. Louis, he fell hard and fast for a puppy he fought hard against. Turns out he is a dog guy after all.

It all started with the most innocent limp. April 30th, he came home to us, we noticed the limp when he first arrived. I reached out to Jenna about it right away, the vet within the first two weeks and followed up again. Nobody was really concerned. They chalked it up to a puppy thing, “let us see if he grows out of it” our vet said, “He gives no pain indicators”. Nobody was too concerned. Neither were we; we were just doing our due diligence as proud new puppy owners.

Fast forward to July 4th weekend, the limp resurfaced with a vengeance. It was much different, seemingly overnight. Our family noticed and asked about him. We could tell something was wrong. I made the first available appt for Bean to go in and get checked. Friday, July 10th, we dropped him off for x-rays, and I went about my workday. Around 5pm I heard from the vet… “Finally!” I thought. There were a lot of words in that conversation, the loudest was “AMPUTATION”.

“WHAT!? How could it be that?” “They’re overreacting.” “There must be other options.” “He’s just a puppy.” “We need a second, third opinion.” It was gut-wrenching news. They explained to me that in his first few weeks of life he suffered an injury. There was nothing anyone could have done. (I am grateful to have that reassurance.) Essentially, his elbow has what they have called a chronic elbow fracture and all the growth plates have closed on his left leg. Slight arthritis has begun to develop. The vet suggested the change was due to Bean hitting his puppy growth spurt at 16-20 weeks. He grew, but the injured leg did not, and won’t. With the growth plates being closed, the fracture causing more pain and the left leg now noticeably smaller. The limp got worse, and it got worse quick. We have noticed difficulty walking with the smaller and more fragile limb and signs of pain. We have had to make the impossibly difficult decision to amputate the front left leg. The vet, the ortho vet (and a second and third ortho opinion) advised it is the only option. There is not a surgery that could rectify this. SO here we are…

We are heartbroken over this. But not broken. We are still a dog family; we are just supposed to be a TRIPOD dog family. I am scared. I am grateful. I know Bean chose us. I am so excited to get him the help he needs so he can come into his true little doggo self. One of the specialists who saw the films said, “There is nothing anyone could have done to avoid this, he’s supposed to be a three-legged dog.” Ok Universe, I see you. Thank you for trusting us with Bean. Thank you to all those who read this and considered donating to his recovery.

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Donations 

  • Zachary Koslowsky
    • $50
    • 5 yrs
  • Barbara Brandt
    • $318
    • 5 yrs
  • Alex Denstman
    • $50
    • 5 yrs
  • Kristen Corbett
    • $30
    • 5 yrs
  • Sarah Mathews
    • $30
    • 5 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Jenna Lloyd
Organizer
Hampstead, NC
Mallorie Schwartzman
Beneficiary

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