HARTT

SEE UPDATE BELOW - you won't believe the transformation!!

Several months ago HARTT (Humane Animal Rescue and Trapping Team) rescued a dog in Phoenix, Arizona who appeared to be in serious trouble. Charity Cox-Hayden, our HARTT North Central Team Leader, received a Help Request for a border collie mix seen staggering in the road and dragging both hind legs along the hot pavement. The situation appeared urgent - it looked like this poor dog had been hit by a car. Charity quickly went to the area and searched everywhere, but she was unable to locate the dog.

Later that evening, the dog was spotted in a nearby yard, and we spoke to the resident. When we asked him about the dog's condition, he explained that he had taken ownership of the pup from another person 6 months prior and was told he had “always been this way”. He also had no means to help with his condition beyond basic daily care. Initially, the owner wanted to keep the dog and would not surrender him - but later, he called us back and said he was moving and could not take the dog with him and asked if HARTT would help. We quickly agreed and returned to pick up this precious boy.

Despite his physical limitations, this 2-years-young man is immensely sweet to all people and other dogs - he is so excited just to be alive and wants so much to enjoy a full, active life. Trying to determine what was causing his extremely abnormal gait, we got him right in to be medically assessed - when he came in for his CT scans he met his wonderful foster Ayla Rarick, a veterinary technician at the practice, who was immediately taken with him and offered to foster him. We were thrilled!! Ayla decided to name him “Jango” and so started our journey to see what could be done to help Jango once and for all!

The CT scans soon revealed that Jango could use his hind legs but was suffering from severe musculoskeletal malformation of the pelvic limbs, thought to be mostly congenital (ie, he was born this way) with the right side being more severe than the left, likely due to some additional trauma on the right side at some point in his life. His patellas (knee caps) are very displaced, with one almost facing backwards. His remaining anatomy including the tibia, bottom of the femur, and the quad muscles are also “twisted”. These conditions cause Jango to walk in a “crab like” stance (low crouched) due to restrictions of pelvic limb alignment which will certainly lead to arthritis, possible spinal concerns and increased pain, and decreasing mobility as he ages.

Jango will now require an extensive surgery known as a bilateral Distal Femoral Osteotomy (DFO) by a board-certified orthopedic surgeon - the surgery will cost approximately $8,000 for each side (around $16,000 total). We need to get Jango on the surgery schedule so that he has the chance to live a normal life. HE'S ONLY TWO YEARDS OLD! This surgery is so specialized that the surgeon (Dr. Lirtzman of Arizona Canine Orthopedics & Sports Medicine) ordered 3-D models made of the bones, and surgical cutting guides, to create the best possible outcome.

The left side will be operated on first, with the hopes that in the weeks following surgery his left side will be stronger in preparation for the right-side surgery. We won’t know the exact nature of the surgery on the other side until the first surgery stabilizes over the weeks to follow. If any funds are raised beyond what is ultimately needed for Jango’s surgeries, those funds will used to help other animals in need that HARTT rescues who need major medical care (sadly, we always have such cases).

The surgery is time sensitive - with every passing month, Jango's condition deteriorates and becomes more painful. Fortunately, he's a young dog and we are hopeful his recovery will be quick.

We are extremely thankful to all of you for considering supporting Jango – we hope that after the surgery he will progress to much more comfortable mobility so he can play to his heart’s content. This dog is full of joy, young, loving and has his whole life ahead of him. Please help us to help him – he’s been neglected for far too long and needs all of us!

On Thursday morning, Tammy, a volunteer with HARTT (www.azhartt.org) in Phoenix, came across a post on social media about an injured lab mix who appeared to have been hit by a car. He was lying on the pavement, paralyzed and crawling. The woman who posted about the dog said that she went over, picked him up and placed him on the side of the road, out of the way of oncoming traffic. We are thankful that someone did the right thing and moved him over so he wouldn't be hit again, but unfortunately, he was then just left on the side of the road to suffer alone. When a pet is severely injured, EVERY minute is critical and can literally make a life-or-death difference.

Immediately after seeing this post online, Tammy rushed out to find the dog before it was too late - clearly he needed medical care ASAP. When she arrived, she was horrified to see him lying in the rocks, not moving; she thought he was dead. As she approached though, he lifted his little head to look in her direction. Despite being in grave condition, he was such a sweet boy and allowed her to scoop him up. He was so small, barely over 30 pounds! We think he's a Lab/Basset or Lab/Corgi mix. Here's a short video of Louie:

Every dog we rescue is special and deserves a name. This sweet boy was given the name "Louie". Tammy loaded Louie into her car and rushed him to the 1st Pet Veterinary Center - North Valley.

Initial findings were that he was in shock and his back end was paralyzed. After further diagnostics, it was discovered Louie actually has some feeling but suffered from severe, traumatic fractures to his pelvis. Specifically, this includes sacroiliac luxation with cranial displacement of the left hemipelvis with a fragment that appears to be separated from the rest of the left hemipelvis. He also has a fracture through his left ischium with cranial displacement of the body of the ischium relative to the table. In addition, there is an oblique fracture to the right ilium. (Included is a dog anatomy image showing where all this is located.) He also has issues with bladder tone, which required a urinary catheter be inserted to help him urinate. Overall prognosis is guarded.

Louie touched so many hearts on social media. He has the most darling face and looks like a lab, but he has short little legs like a basset hound or corgi. As long as this sweet boy shows a will to survive, we are going to do all we can to give him that fighting chance! We had an angel offer to cover $2,000 towards his vet bill. This was such a blessing at a time when we couldn't wait, allowing us to rush him to the hospital immediately! Unfortunately though, after the latest diagnostics, Louie's bill has significantly increased to now $3,800 just for the hospital stay and initial stabilization.

Louie will now require an extensive surgery by a board-certified orthopedic surgeon - we are told the surgery will cost a minimum of $8,000 to $10,000. We need to get Louie on a surgery schedule right away so that he has the chance to live a normal life. HE'S ONLY ONE YEAR OLD! If there are any funds raised beyond what is ultimately needed for his care, those funds will be put towards future dogs that HARTT rescues who need major medical care.

Without the support and generosity of people just like you, we would not be able to help animals with this level of trauma - euthanasia would be our only option. Please help us to help Louie - we are so grateful for your compassion!

AND, if you might be interested in adopting Louie once he's recovered, please email us at [email redacted].

To learn more about HARTT and our lifesaving field rescues, visit www.azhartt.org.