Jango has a dream - to walk normally and pain-free!

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!