Surgery for Ellie, the dumpster pup
Donation protected
Back in 2015, a friend rescued Ellie out of a dumpster in Hartford when she was just a week old and she came straight to me. Some might say that she had a rough start, but she certainly doesn't know that! This dog has known nothing but love and the absolute best care that I can provide for her.
A while back she started showing some difficulty walking. She would be trotting along, then suddenly stop and sit down, or raise her hind legs and put them down again. After a few seconds, she would continue on her way. As this got a bit more pronounced, I brought it up to the vet and they said that she has luxating patellas, which is common in dogs of her size. Luxating means displaced, or out of place, and the patella is the knee (but on a dog it looks like it should be their hip). Because of the way she's built, the inside of the groove in her femur has worn down over time which allows the patella to dislocate.
We have been managing this condition with a very good joint supplement and lots of exercise, but a couple of weeks ago Ellie very suddenly started refusing to go up stairs, or jump up on the bed or couch. She puts her front feet on the stairs and almost starts to panic, circling and whining. I noticed she was moving a little slower on our walks, too.
After a week or so of hoping that it was the change in temperature and she would adjust, I called the vet and explained what was going on. They told me that exercise and joint supplements are the first course of action and when that fails, we look at surgery. I was quoted upwards of $3000 for the procedure. Ellie is covered by insurance, but they only reimburse for a portion of the total bill, less my deductible.
Ellie is my whole world. I started this gofundme to hopefully raise some funds so I can get my dog the surgery she needs to be able to live a happy and full life. She is only 5, and it is much too early for her to not be able to run and play, or jump up on the couch to beg for my popcorn. Your donations will be used to cover the portion of the bill that insurance will not cover, and I will be forever thankful for your generosity.
A while back she started showing some difficulty walking. She would be trotting along, then suddenly stop and sit down, or raise her hind legs and put them down again. After a few seconds, she would continue on her way. As this got a bit more pronounced, I brought it up to the vet and they said that she has luxating patellas, which is common in dogs of her size. Luxating means displaced, or out of place, and the patella is the knee (but on a dog it looks like it should be their hip). Because of the way she's built, the inside of the groove in her femur has worn down over time which allows the patella to dislocate.
We have been managing this condition with a very good joint supplement and lots of exercise, but a couple of weeks ago Ellie very suddenly started refusing to go up stairs, or jump up on the bed or couch. She puts her front feet on the stairs and almost starts to panic, circling and whining. I noticed she was moving a little slower on our walks, too.
After a week or so of hoping that it was the change in temperature and she would adjust, I called the vet and explained what was going on. They told me that exercise and joint supplements are the first course of action and when that fails, we look at surgery. I was quoted upwards of $3000 for the procedure. Ellie is covered by insurance, but they only reimburse for a portion of the total bill, less my deductible.
Ellie is my whole world. I started this gofundme to hopefully raise some funds so I can get my dog the surgery she needs to be able to live a happy and full life. She is only 5, and it is much too early for her to not be able to run and play, or jump up on the couch to beg for my popcorn. Your donations will be used to cover the portion of the bill that insurance will not cover, and I will be forever thankful for your generosity.
Organizer
Caitlin Conley
Organizer
Hartford, CT