Casts are Off!
Thursday, June 26, 2008

June 9th, 2008

Selphie's casts were taken off a couple weeks ago. For the first time in her life she is finally able to walk like a normal dog and she is enjoying every second of it. Initially she was stiff and sore but that has pretty much gone away and her legs are much more flexible now. Her left leg is noticeably less so, but that is understandable considering how deformed the leg was.

Despite that she runs, plays and jumps like crazy! She has really come into her own over the past couple of weeks. She even jumped ON TOP of her crate in her excitement for dinner! We are very careful to monitor her so that she does not injure either of her legs when playing.

Selphie has another vet appointment in a couple of weeks to check her progress. We do not know at this point if she will require more surgery on her left leg. Even if she does not immediately there is a possibility that she may in the future. Her forever family needs to be prepared for that. We have already started her on glucosamine/chondroitin and fish oil supplements. She will need to remain on those for the remainder of her life. She will also need to be on a high quality food that is rich in glucosamine. Currently she is eating Nutro Natural Choice Puppy. She does enjoy going for short walks, though with her knees we are still limiting her activity. She is not going to be able to be a running partner and her activity will always need to be monitored so she does not injure her legs.

She is doing very well with other dogs, even our very alpha female. She loves to play with all dogs, though more gentle dogs are preferred so she does not get injured. Selphie doesn't realize how small she is :) She needs LOTS of toys and chewies or she will get into trouble, like most puppies/adolescents. When she is not being monitored she is crated and she is doing very well with crate training. She also sleeps in her crate at night.

She is very sweet and kissy but is at the age where she wants to do her own thing when she wants to do it! This is especially true when we take her outside to our dog run. She has no interest in being held at that point, she just wants to run! We think this probably has a lot to do with the fact that she is finally able to actually run and play without any issues.

I will get some new pictures posted very soon!

Email Aimee & Beth

Surgery Done!
Thursday, June 26, 2008

May 8th, 2008

Selphie came home Thursday afternoon, after having her surgery on Wednesday. Dr. Seng said she was the worst off in addition to the youngest of all the dogs he's ever done this surgery on. Her right leg was a grade 3, but we fixed it now as it would have eventually needed the surgery anyway. The surgeon just deepened the grove a bit more. Her left leg was actually deformed and had no grove for her knee cap to fit. To fix it he deepened the grove and straightened the leg.

She is now walking around with two great big green casts on her back legs and is getting along just fine. The vet techs told me how surprised they were at how quickly she was up and walking. Selphie is such a little trooper. She's happy, active, has a healthy appetite and want to play. She goes in for a bandage check on Tuesday and then should be getting her casts off the following Tuesday. After that she will be ready to be spayed.

We are still continuing with fundraising as we have not made the full $1600 yet to cover her surgery costs. Please consider helping us raise the last $374.15. Thank you very much!

New pictures and a video will be posted very soon!

Email Aimee & Beth

Surgery Scheduled. Donations Still Needed!
Thursday, June 26, 2008

April 24th, 2008

We met with the second surgeon Tuesday night and the news was about the same. Selphie definitely has a grade 4 luxating patella in her left leg and a grade 2/3 in her right. Fortunately the left tibia does not appear to have been broken but there is no grove for her knee cap to fit in. The surgeon, Dr. Seng is very experience in this surgery and gave us a quote of $1,600 to fix both knees. We are continuing to raise the funds. Thank you to everyone who has already given a donation!

Her surgery is scheduled for May 7th and she will be having both kness done at the same time. After 10 days her casts will be removed and she will be encouraged to start using her legs again and building up her strength.

Email Aimee & Beth

Initial Visit with the Surgeon. Donations Needed!
Thursday, June 26, 2008

April 17th, 2008

Last week we met with a surgeon to discuss options for Selphie's treatment. As we knew surgery is going to be required. Just to fix her left leg (the worse of the two) it is going to cost about $2400. We will be meeting with another surgeon this coming Tuesday, April 22nd to get a second opinion and make sure we have explored all options. In the mean time we are continuing with fundraising.

Selphie is still just as adorable as ever and her ears finally decided to stand up about 3 days ago :) She has trouble walking towards the end of the day when she just gets too tired to hold herself up any longer. I know the video is not working. For some reason YouTube doen't like the video. I'm going to take another and upload that. It should be up in a day or so.

I would also like to thank everyone that has taken the time to make a donation and/or pass the word on about Selphie. It means more to all of us (especially Selphie) than you could ever know!

Email Aimee & Beth

Help Little Selphie
Thursday, June 26, 2008

April 2nd, 2008

Selphie is a very sweet, playful little Shiba girl. She has no idea that there is something wrong with her. She was born with luxating patellas (loose knees). Her right knee is a grade 2/3, so the joint easily slips in and out of the knee cap grove. Her left leg is much worse off. It is a grade 4, which means the joint does not stay in place, causing her leg to constantly be in a crouched position because she is unable to extend it properly. The veterinarian also believes she may have had her left tibia broken at some point.

Left alone, her legs would eventually atrophy and she would loose the ability to walk. Fortunately SIRA came to her rescue and will be getting her to surgery she so desperately needs to be able to live a normal, pain free life. She will be meeting with the surgeon on Wednesday, April 9th. They will be doing x-rays and we will decide on the best treatment options at that point, though surgery is a guarantee.

Selphie's medical costs are going to greatly exceed her adoption fee. SIRA has started a surgery fund for her. If you would like to be one of Selphie's angels by making a donation towards her treatment costs, please send an email to admin@savingshibas.com.  Every little bit will help!

Email Aimee & Beth