Hip Surgery for Marcie

Hello,

We set up this fundraiser for Angela and her young, mixed-breed pup Marcie.

Angela is a third-year veterinary student at Colorado State University. If you know her, she is an incredibly hard worker- she works, maintains the vigorous workload of a vet student, and is extraordinarily involved in extracurriculars, constantly giving back to those in her community. She is a person who seemingly does it all, rarely asking for help from others. (She was even against this page, knowing there are so many others in need, but I can guarantee you that she and Marcie are more than deserving of some help!)

Marcie is her recently adopted, 7-month-old mixed-breed dog. She is a smart, sweet, independent little gal, and Angela set up Marcie for success, giving her a loving home and constant care. Recently, Marcie was diagnosed with hip dysplasia- a condition that occurs during the growth stage in dogs, resulting in the loosening of the hip joint leading to dysfunction and pain. As the dog grows, the cartilage and bone of the hip begin to wear down. Over time, this causes arthritis, muscle atrophy, and limited mobility. Though Marcie has had insurance coverage since she was adopted, because Angela discovered the condition before the end of the initial waiting period (an outrageous 6 months for hip and joint diseases!), this procedure and any medical costs associated with it will not be covered now or in the future as it is now classified as a "pre-existing" condition. It is a sad circumstance where the dog and owner are penalized for being proactive and seeking care early- something all medical professionals would agree is recommended!

Marcie needs a triple pelvic osteotomy, a procedure she qualifies for only during a window of time before she reaches a certain age. If she does not receive this procedure, she will inevitably suffer from pain and joint degeneration with age. Angela has managed to qualify for some assistance for the procedure, which costs approximately $5K per hip, but we would love to help her make the rest of the cost. Thank you for helping out these wonderful two beings!

Info on the procedure:

The Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO) is a surgery in which the pelvic bones are manipulated to alter the orientation of the hip socket (called the acetabulum) in such a way as to improve joint function and reduce instability, pain, and future degenerative changes in puppies with hip dysplasia. During this procedure, cuts are made through the three pelvic bones (the ilium, ischium, and pubis) adjacent to the area where they meet to form the hip socket (acetabulum). After these cuts have been made, the fragment containing the hip socket can be rotated slightly to increase the surface area of the socket that will cover the top of the femoral head (the “ball” of the hip joint). This bone segment is then secured in place with a custom-designed surgical plate.

We appreciate any and all donations! Thank you!