Please Help with Maple’s Complex Leg Surgery & CT

Maple Doo and Family is organizing this fundraiser.

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Hi, I’m Maple! My family calls me Maple Doo because I am a spitfire like Scrappy Doo! I am a miniature longhair Dachshund and I just turned 8 months old. I live with my family in the PNW. I am an outdoorsy girl who enjoys playing, going on hikes, chasing things, splooting, and doing steals! My favorites are playing outside, wrestling with my best friend and feline sister, cuddling with my family and eating things that I probably shouldn’t.

When I was 4 months old my family noticed my right back leg was starting to bow. After x-rays and consultations with several orthopedic surgeons, I was diagnosed with a type of angular limb deformity called Pes Varus in both my back legs. Pes Varus is a rare genetic leg deformity found in less than 1% of Dachshunds. It causes the growth plate to close prematurely and my leg to twist as I grow. My right leg is severe and it has progressed to a 45 degree angle. My pawrents call it my noodle leg since it gets floppy and rolls outward at the end of the day when I plays a lot. We have to limit my exercise and I can’t go for walks anymore because the more activity I do the worse my leg limp gets. It’s hard though when you want to run and play all day! I just had a recheck with my orthopedic surgeon who said my femur is turning as well. This was suspected at my last appointment. I also have a lateral luxating patella in the same leg that causes me pain. My doctor said my deformities may be congenital or I could have had some sort of trauma to my legs in utero or during birth.

A major and complex surgery is required to repair my pes varus, luxating patella and possibly my femur too so I can live my life without pain and prevent future injury to my hip and back. Prior to surgery I have to get a CT scan so the surgeon can calculate the exact degree my bones need to be turned. This will also be used to create a 3D model of my leg so the surgeon can practice the complicated reconstruction of each part of my leg. The CT will also determine if my femur will need to be repaired at the same time. The surgeon will cut a wedge shape from my tibia and then fasten a metal plate with screws to my bone to secure and align it. This will also be done to my femur if the CT shows it needs to be repaired as well. The surgeon will also be deepening the groove where my patella should be located so it will stay in its proper position. After surgery I will stay in the ICU for a few days to get the critical care I need and to manage my pain. I will need a lot of physical therapy afterwards to help me regain strength in my leg. Depending on how quickly my leg progresses my surgery will be in 2-3 months. I have a long road ahead of me.

My family unfortunately does not have pet insurance and will need to come up with all of my medical expenses. We were quoted around $12,000 for my CT and surgery. Post surgery physical therapy, rechecks, orthopedic x-rays, medications and any unforeseen complications will be additional costs. If you are willing to donate to my medical care my family and I would greatly appreciate it. We will be posting updates on my health, surgery and recovery on my social media pages maple.doo and here.

Follow my journey!

Thank you!

Maple Doo & Family