Calvin’s Dilemma

Calvin, a 9 month old puppy, sat in the dimly lit, cinder-block shelter for 5 days waiting for his person to reclaim him from stray hold. He hobbled back and forth on occasion to get food or water but something was wrong. And his person never came.

Dog House Adoptions received the call that this nice dog with an injured back leg was about to be put down. Did we want him? “The city says his injury is not life threatening so we can’t bring him to the vet. He won’t put any weight on it,” they said.

Dog House Adoptions Intervenes

Of course we wanted Calvin. Even after enduring days of excruciating pain, Calvin has proven to be the nicest, sweetest, gentlest dog. Whether he was hit by a car, fell from a great height, or suffered an abusive kick, we’ll never know the forceful circumstances that caused his suffering. What we do know is that, with your help, we can see him through.

Can You Chip In?

Can you chip in to transform this pitiful pup into a picture of perfect health? Veterinary bills have run roughly $500 so far and we anticipate an escalating total as he continues with care. In the event that we raise more than Calvin’s veterinary costs, we will devote those funds to help another dog in need of medical care.

Diagnosis: A Painful Hip Dislocation

On Saturday, June 1st, we scooped Calvin up. Unsure whether he had a broken leg, torn ACL, or any one of many possibilities, we rushed him into X-ray. The image was horrific. Calvin’s leg was completely out of it’s hip joint, the bone residing alongside the socket rather than in it.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:

A hip dislocation is an orthopaedic emergency. A hip dislocation can have long-term consequences, particularly if there are associated fractures. As the thighbone is pushed out of its socket, it can disrupt blood vessels and nerves. When blood supply to the bone is lost, the bone can die, resulting in avascular necrosis or osteonecrosis. The protective cartilage covering the bone may also be damaged, which increases the risk of developing arthritis in the joint.

We opted to quickly sedate Calvin and have his bones manipulated back into their proper position.

Prognosis: Hopeful but Unclear

For the next two weeks, an already too-thin Calvin will be confined to a crate with his leg in traction. After his initial anesthesia, surgery, x-rays, and pain meds, additional X-rays will be required to be sure the bones are set correctly.

Calvin will have to rebuild his already lacking muscle mass during two subsequent weeks of rehabilitation. If the hip doesn’t stay in place, further surgery will be necessary.

Please Help Calvin Experience Health and Joy Once More

Won’t you help us help Calvin to frolic with joy? On behalf of Calvin, who has the most beautiful heart, we thank you from the bottom of ours.

Progress Report

June 3rd:

Calvin is being a really good boy so he graduated from his plastic satellite dish to a smaller, paper collar. Sometimes its the little things that make life so much better.

Thank you, Cassie P and Sal, for your donations. Your support has boosted our hopes and spirits, which can be felt by Calvin each time we visit him. You truly are making a difference.

June 19th:

Two weeks later, after $500 in veterinary surgery and care, Calvin’s hip has remained in place despite some doubts that it would.

Unfortunately, Calvin also fell ill during that time, so two weeks of traction with no weight on that hip was paired with utter sickness. $800 of exploratory testing and treatment later, Calvin’s diagnosis of Parvovirus sent our rescue into a ten day lockdown for fear of spread to the rescued puppies in our care as well as to dogs not yet vaccinated.

Calvin has always shown us a gentle, friendly spirit, even if he hung his head while doing so. This dog has been a very brave boy and, even in all his pain and illness, he is coming through the other side with great strides. Good days have begun to far outweigh the bad.

Physical rehabilitation will begin soon. We’ll share photos once Calvin gets his back leg sling removed. We can’t wait to show you how well, he’s improving, and how worthwhile it is to have helped this beautiful animal.