Help Fix Griffin's Legs

Griffin was found on the streets of Dallas, wandering around with no one to help him. His legs were completely straight, and he was unable to stand or walk on his own. He simply lay there and cried.

We brought him into SSR believing we were dealing with straight-legged syndrome. Since there is no cure or corrective surgery for that condition, we did not anticipate the need for costly medical procedures or extensive treatment.

Unfortunately, we soon discovered that Griffin's condition was much more complicated than initially thought.

Despite multiple surgical consultations and radiology interpretations, there is still no definitive explanation for what happened to him. His case involves several abnormalities affecting both back legs, and even the surgeons consulting on his condition have some unanswered questions.

Although Griffin is now able to walk, he is experiencing significant pain and discomfort. We attempted to obtain updated radiographs, but his pain level prevented us from doing so. Additional imaging will be performed under sedation immediately before surgery.

Griffin needs a bilateral FHO (Femoral Head Ostectomy), commonly referred to as a double FHO. The procedure involves removing the damaged femoral heads to help eliminate painful contact within the hip joints and improve his comfort and mobility.

We did not anticipate this expense when we took Griffin into our rescue, but it is now a necessary part of his medical care. We are asking for donations to help cover the cost of his surgery and give him the best chance at a more comfortable life.

Any amount is greatly appreciated, and sharing his fundraiser also helps.

Medical Findings

Based on multiple surgical consultations and radiology interpretations, Griffin's suspected abnormalities include:

Possible Salter-Harris Type II fractures involving both femoral heads/necks, potentially caused by trauma.
Possible fractures through the middle portions of both femurs, with abnormal bone growth that may have resulted from the fractures going unrepaired.
Abnormal mineral deposits around the femurs, possibly congenital or related to injuries sustained before birth.
Both femurs appear shorter than normal, and neither hip joint has normal anatomical development.

The surgeons have noted that the midshaft femoral abnormalities may not be surgically correctable. The primary surgical recommendation is to address the bilateral femoral head and neck abnormalities through a double FHO.

There are still unanswered questions about the underlying cause of Griffin's condition, but the immediate priority is addressing his pain.

Thank you for helping us get Griffin the medical care he needs. Every donation and share is greatly appreciated.

About Us:

Second Start Rescue specializes in giving a second start to the underdogs—the injured, overlooked, and abandoned animals who need us the most. Based in Virginia, our mission focuses on rescuing and rehabilitating dogs from South Texas, an area with one of the highest rates of animal neglect in the country. While shepherds are our primary focus, we extend our care to any dog in desperate need of rescue. Join us in our mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome these wonderful dogs.

Help Stray Puppy Griffin Walk Without Pain

Once a helpless puppy crying out for someone to care...

Team Members