Kenai's Surgery Fund
Donation protected
Kenai belongs to Liz Stout, who is one of my best friends. Most of you know him as the canine companion that accompanies her everywhere she goes. Yes, even to work! He's been her partner in all things adventure since he became a part of her life in May of 2010. Ever since then, Kenai has been by Liz's side in nearly every endeavor.
Kenai is living a dog's dream: Liz has provided him with a life full of adventure, activity and enrichment, making him one of the best-behaved Huskies I have ever had the pleasure to meet (and this is coming from someone who works in the veterinary field!) He gets to go hiking all the time; he gets to run around on a farm on a daily basis; he accompanies Liz to endurance rides where he continues to be a calm gentleman despite being surrounded by horses and people; and he has traveled to places like Acadia National Park and the Great Smokies. He's a great crag dog when she goes rock climbing, and is the perfect trail partner when Liz rides her horses near and far. He even rides the ski lift in the winter as he fulfills his duty as the ski patrol mascot. He is a bit of a celebrity. :) He is Liz's Go Everywhere Dog .
Being active can take its toll, however. In March 2013 after a great ski season, Liz noticed Kenai favoring first one and then the other hind leg. It turned out he had partial tears to both cruciate ligaments - basically the human equivalent of an ACL tear. In August of 2013, he underwent double cruciate ligament surgery to resolve these issues. He rehabbed wonderfully from his double knee surgery, although he missed out winter on the mountain as a result.
By spring of 2014, he seemed to have made a full recovery: he was back to participating in his usual activities as trail dog, accompanying Liz on numerous climbing trips, and even a 10 mile hike at Dolly Sods! He was going strong...until he came up lame again in November of 2014, but only on his right hind leg. Like the responsable dog owner that she is, Liz placed him on crate rest and limited activity for most of the winter. She tried multiple times to bring him slowly back into "work" and more full activity, but each time he regressed.
By January of 2015 she threw in the towel and took him back to the vet who did his initial surgery for x-rays. The images seemed to suggest that Kenai had managed to fracture his fabella, a small bone behind the knee, in his right hind leg. Because he had already been on crate rest, the vet suggested medication and continued limited activity for many more weeks.
However, by mid-March, there was minimal, if any improvement. Digital x-rays were repeated. These clearer images coupled with consultations with orthopedic veterinary specialists led to the conclusion that he very likely had suffered a meniscal tear post-cruciate ligament surgery on his right hind leg. The only answer to help him is more surgery...more expensive surgery, most likely involving arthroscopy to remove the damaged meniscus. The cruciate ligament surgery may also need to be revised: during the sedated physical exam, the veterinarian found renewed laxity in Kenai's stifle (knee) joint. This is an additional procedure that would be performed at the same time as the meniscus repair.
The good news is that with this surgery and due diligence on Liz's part to rehabilitate him and strengthen his hind end better than ever before with physical therapy, Kenai should be able to make a full recovery well before the next ski season comes around.
The surgery is costly, and so is working with a canine physical therapist. Liz can afford the bulk of the surgery, but will need help with the remainder - which is what this page is for. I know how many people love this dog, the sheer number of likes he receives on Facebook is indicative of it. I'm hoping some of you will be able to donate a bit to his surgery to help him out so Liz can keep sharing photos of him in fun places living out one the richest life a dog could ever wish for.
Any little bit is appreciated. Any little bit helps!
Kenai is living a dog's dream: Liz has provided him with a life full of adventure, activity and enrichment, making him one of the best-behaved Huskies I have ever had the pleasure to meet (and this is coming from someone who works in the veterinary field!) He gets to go hiking all the time; he gets to run around on a farm on a daily basis; he accompanies Liz to endurance rides where he continues to be a calm gentleman despite being surrounded by horses and people; and he has traveled to places like Acadia National Park and the Great Smokies. He's a great crag dog when she goes rock climbing, and is the perfect trail partner when Liz rides her horses near and far. He even rides the ski lift in the winter as he fulfills his duty as the ski patrol mascot. He is a bit of a celebrity. :) He is Liz's Go Everywhere Dog .
Being active can take its toll, however. In March 2013 after a great ski season, Liz noticed Kenai favoring first one and then the other hind leg. It turned out he had partial tears to both cruciate ligaments - basically the human equivalent of an ACL tear. In August of 2013, he underwent double cruciate ligament surgery to resolve these issues. He rehabbed wonderfully from his double knee surgery, although he missed out winter on the mountain as a result.
By spring of 2014, he seemed to have made a full recovery: he was back to participating in his usual activities as trail dog, accompanying Liz on numerous climbing trips, and even a 10 mile hike at Dolly Sods! He was going strong...until he came up lame again in November of 2014, but only on his right hind leg. Like the responsable dog owner that she is, Liz placed him on crate rest and limited activity for most of the winter. She tried multiple times to bring him slowly back into "work" and more full activity, but each time he regressed.
By January of 2015 she threw in the towel and took him back to the vet who did his initial surgery for x-rays. The images seemed to suggest that Kenai had managed to fracture his fabella, a small bone behind the knee, in his right hind leg. Because he had already been on crate rest, the vet suggested medication and continued limited activity for many more weeks.
However, by mid-March, there was minimal, if any improvement. Digital x-rays were repeated. These clearer images coupled with consultations with orthopedic veterinary specialists led to the conclusion that he very likely had suffered a meniscal tear post-cruciate ligament surgery on his right hind leg. The only answer to help him is more surgery...more expensive surgery, most likely involving arthroscopy to remove the damaged meniscus. The cruciate ligament surgery may also need to be revised: during the sedated physical exam, the veterinarian found renewed laxity in Kenai's stifle (knee) joint. This is an additional procedure that would be performed at the same time as the meniscus repair.
The good news is that with this surgery and due diligence on Liz's part to rehabilitate him and strengthen his hind end better than ever before with physical therapy, Kenai should be able to make a full recovery well before the next ski season comes around.
The surgery is costly, and so is working with a canine physical therapist. Liz can afford the bulk of the surgery, but will need help with the remainder - which is what this page is for. I know how many people love this dog, the sheer number of likes he receives on Facebook is indicative of it. I'm hoping some of you will be able to donate a bit to his surgery to help him out so Liz can keep sharing photos of him in fun places living out one the richest life a dog could ever wish for.
Any little bit is appreciated. Any little bit helps!
Organizer and beneficiary
Nicole Alvarez
Organizer
Elkins, WV
Liz Stout
Beneficiary