Eight weeks into his life, Milo the hound puppy has a new chance to start things off on the right paw.
According to KOCO, the baby dog from Luthor, Oklahoma, was born with upside-down front paws — paws that faced up instead of down due to an issue with the development of his elbows.
This rare birth defect, which made it difficult for Milo to move around, required an even rarer surgery, which a veterinarian at Oklahoma State University’s veterinary center agreed to perform. The puppy underwent the operation on Jan. 9.
“For each of his elbows, we had to go into the joint and restore the alignment. Then we placed a pin across the joint to keep it straight while his growing bones continue to take shape and his body lays down the internal scar tissue that will be needed for long-term stability. All in all, Milo was under anesthesia for about three- to three-and-a-half hours,” Dr. Erik Clary, associate professor of small animal surgery OSU, told KOCO.
Milo made it through the operation without incident and is now on the mend with help from a bright pink splint. Oliver and Friends Farm Rescue and Sanctuary is looking after the little canine while he heals, ensuring that Milo gets all the care he needs to make a full recovery.
Oliver and Friends has watched over the pup from the beginning. Five weeks after Milo was born, he was surrendered to the rescue by a local breeder, reports KFOR.
Because of his birth defect, Milo spent the first weeks of his life army-crawling around Oliver and Friends.
“He wouldn’t have had any quality of life past another month or two, so it was definitely required,” the rescue’s Jennie Hays told KFOR about why she opted to seek out surgery for Milo.
The rescue covered the cost of the surgery that Dr. Clary agrees was necessary to give Milo a chance at walking like a regular dog, not to mention an easier life.
“It is very unusual, but also very debilitating. So when we do see it, something needs to be done,” Dr. Clary told the Stillwater News Press, adding that in his 27 years as a veterinarian he had only seen a few other cases like Milo’s.
According to the vet, the plans for Milo’s recovery are to keep the puppy in his splint for three weeks, then remove the splint and the pins from his elbows. After this, Milo will begin rehabilitation therapy to help him get a full range of motion in his front paws.
Milo’s three weeks with the splint are almost up; Oliver and Friends posted on Facebook that the puppy’s pins will be removed on Monday and that the vet is happy with Milo’s progress so far.
Of course this road to recovery and relief for Milo does not come cheap: Oliver and Friends has already paid thousands in medical costs to cover Milo’s operation, and expects even more bills in the months ahead.
If you would like to help pay for Milo’s veterinary medical care, you can donate via PayPal to oliverandfriendsfarmsanctuary@gmail.com, or by visiting the rescue’s website.