Matilda's Leg Surgery

A veterinarian gently urged Matilda’s backyard breeder to contact a rescue when she declined the recommended x-rays and bloodwork to begin diagnosing possible Rickets and an elbow luxation.

How do we know the details of this visit? The “breeder” mentioned a vet consult when contacting us, and when we followed up with questions, she lied and said there were no medical records. We went to the clinic directly, and they confirmed that diagnostics had been recommended but not pursued and provided the requested documents for us to follow up on. We thanked them for recommending rescue and shared in the frustration that, without any visible signs of neglect or abuse, there is little that can be done to formally report the owner.

We took Matilda to our vet, who did some diagnostic imaging and recommended we consult with an orthopedic surgeon. With additional x-rays, he diagnosed her with congenital elbow luxation in her right leg and carpal hyperextension in her left wrist. He places a dynamic external fixator in her right leg, which involved placing a pin in her humerus above the elbow and another pin in her ulna below the elbow. The pins are connected with bands that gradually guide the joint back into proper position over the course of two to three weeks. This baby pug will continue to be bottle and hand-fed while on strict crate rest with multiple vet visits each week. Her first vet visit with x-rays cost $574.77, and her surgery bill was $5,305.05. We anticipate additional imaging tests and follow-up visits once she gets the pins removed, so we're hoping to fundraise $6,000. Thank you in advance for sharing her story and supporting our rescue as we work to save sweet dogs like Matilda.