Paws For Tigger

Tigger is a two year old Staffordshire Terrier Mix who was posted in an ad on craigslist after his owner lost his home and was no longer able to take care of him. Fortunately, a volunteer from Savin' Juice Medical Dog Rescue saw the ad and, recognizing that Tigger was in need of specialized care, immediately contacted Tigger's owner offering assistance. Shortly after that, Savin' Juice was able to place Tigger in a foster home.

Like his namesake, Tigger is bouncy and fun. Tigger loves to play with other dogs. He loves to play tug. He loves dog treats. He loves to joyously roll around and burrow into blankets. He loves a good belly rug, especially if it includes a scratch behind his ears. And he loves to show you how much he loves you by leaping into your lap and licking every inch of your face. In short, Tigger is a delightfully outgoing, mostly normal dog. What makes Tigger not normal is just how much harder he has to work to accomplish all the things he loves to do.

Tigger was born with a a congenital deformity that caused his front legs to be severely deformed. As a puppy, both of Tigger's front legs grew in a non-synchronous manner. In both legs, his radius and ulna (the large pair of bones that define a dog's leg and are analogous to the two bones in a human forearm) began bowing at the top of his legs and rotating outward. This adversely affected the connection between his legs and shoulders. It also disrupted the development of his carpal bones (the 14 bones that make up a what would be a dog's wrists). In Tigger's case he only has one of the 14 carpal bones he should have in each of his forelimbs. Without carpal bones, Tigger's phalanges (toes) had nothing to anchor too, so he does not have a full set of toes. The toes he does have are severely deformed into a shape that more closely resembles claws than padded paws.

Tigger's congenital deformity has so misshapen his paws that it is impossible for him to walk normally and difficult for him to walk in the way he has adapted to compensate. Not understanding the term "special needs" Tigger uses what he has for feet as best he can. When Tigger walks, his weight is not evenly distributed and, with limited support on his front legs, it is difficult for him to walk on all fours for an extended period. Rough surfaces are almost impossible for him to get around on. To compensate, Tigger spends a lot of his time moving mostly on his back legs or sitting on his hindquarters and tail, with his forelimbs in the air like a kangaroo.

Tigger recently visited Oregon State University Lois Bates Acheson Veterinary Teaching Hospital where he was seen by Dr. Warnock, DVM, PhD, DACVS Associate Professor of Small Animal Surgery. Dr. Warnock was able to use the Hospital's Computed Tomography, a 64-slice X-ray CT scanner that is currently the fastest, and only one of its kind, used in veterinary medicine in the United States, to thoroughly assess Tigger’s front legs. This high-speed, precise machine is capable of capturing detailed, 3-dimensional images, providing diagnostic information that cannot be obtained using other imaging techniques.

Tigger's CT Scan showed, in vivid detail, that he is misusing his deformed legs and paws in a way that has already caused arthritis in his elbows and will soon lead to severe pain and widespread arthritis if allowed to continue without intervention. Tigger's deformations are very unique and will require extensive, groundbreaking surgery to correct. It will involve extensive planning and creativity from a multi-person team, integrating both soft tissue and orthopedics surgical specialist.

The CT revealed the paw pads Tigger has on his right toes are attached only to the ulna which is not a weight bearing bone. Normally the radius and ulna would be connected but Dr. Warnock was able to rotate these two bones half an inch around each other. The plan is for Tigger's toes to be fused and for his paw pads to be relocated to new, weight bearing areas. This will be a very time consuming and expensive surgery. Surgery will then need to be followed up with intensive physical therapy, braces and orthotics. Tigger is very fortunate that Animal Physical Therapist Sarah Ostrin CVT, CCRP has offered to graciously donate her time to help Tigger through his physical therapy. But the surgery itself, assuming no complications, will cost $7000 - $8000. As is the case with all complicated surgery, especially ground breaking complicated surgery, complications should be expected. Thus, it is expected that the final cost for Tigger's new lease on life will be between $10,000 and $15,000.

While it is expected to be expensive, the benefits of Tigger's life or death orthopedic surgery will extend far beyond improving Tigger's future. With the largest group of board-certified veterinary specialists in Oregon, and state-of-the-art facilities, OSU can bring together diverse resources and a team effort to heal an ever growing number of challenging conditions. Tigger's case is unique enough that a case study paper will likely be written, which will be beneficial to other dogs with deformities like his. Also, because the surgery will take place at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, fourth-year students on surgical rotation will be able to scrub in and observed the surgery for a once in a lifetime learning opportunity.

If you are able to donate any amount, no matter small, that can help Tigger no longer have to try to walk on his few deformed toes Tigger will be eternally grateful. Please take a look at the local, national and international news stories about Tigger's journey; 

The Statesman Journal;

Dog Needs Surgery to Continue Stealing Hearts 08/20/2016
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2016/08/18/dog-needs-surgery-continue-stealing-hearts/88974114/ 

Fund for Dog's Orthopedic Surgery Grows 08/22/2016
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2016/08/22/fund-dogs-orthopedic-surgery-grows/89112322/

Holding Court 08/23/2016
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2016/08/23/cooling-off-court-street-dairy-lunch/89112722/
Disabled Dog Meets With Vet and Gets Surgery Date 09/18/2016
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2016/09/17/disabled-dog-meets-vet-gets-surgery-date/90521626/

Dog With Leg Defefct Goes Home After First Surgery 11/05/20016
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2016/11/05/dog-leg-defects-home-after-first-surgery/93346572/

Dog's bandage removal reveals healing 12/07/2016
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2016/12/07/dogs-bandage-removal-reveals-healing/93981306/

Tigger starts water therapy as leg improves 01/20/2017
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2017/01/20/tigger-starts-water-therapy-leg-improves/95980394/

Dog gets second surgery to save overused hind leg compensating for deformed front ones 06/07/2017
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2017/06/07/dog-gets-second-surgery-save-hind-leg/377844001/

Contest for rescue dogs will determine who leads bridge parade 07/20/2017
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2017/07/20/contest-rescue-dogs-determine-who-leads-bridge-parade/496392001/

National Coverage 

The Huffington Post
This ‘Kangaroo’ Dog Is On A Journey To Run And Play Like A Regular Pup 08/25/2016
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tigger-lobster-claw-dog-surgery_us_57bf47c2e4b02673444f26c9?ir=Good+News&

USA Today
Dog Needs Surgery to Continue Stealing Hearts 08/22/2016
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/08/18/dog-needs-surgery-continue-stealing-hearts/88974114/

USA Today
Dog With Lobster Paws Waits for Surgery
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzpe5XhDizw 09/05/2016

Ripley's Believe it or Not
This Tigger Might Have More in Common with Roo 09/05/2106
http://www.ripleys.com/blog/ectrodactyly-tigger/
The Dodo Impact Story
He has trouble walking — so he jumps like a kangaroo. 10/10/2016
https://www.facebook.com/DodoImpact/videos/1427319720618450/
Little Things
Pit Bull Grows ‘Claws’ From Rare Birth Defect, But Keeps His Spirits High 10/11/2016 https://www.littlethings.com/kangaroo-dog-tigger/

Life With Dogs
Sweet Dog with Deformed Paws Waits Patiently for Surgery 09/06/2016
http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2016/09/sweet-dog-with-deformed-paws-waits-patiently-for-surgery/
PUPDATE: Tigger The Dog’s Journey To New Paws! 06/09/17
http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2017/06/pupdate-tigger-the-dogs-journey-to-new-paws/

Veterinary Practice News
Oregon State Vets Help Dog with Leg Defects 11/28/2016
http://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/oregon-state-vets-perform-surgery-on-dog-with-leg-defects-trending/

The Pit Bull Daily
Kangaroo Dog Is Hopping Back to a Better Life 11/28/2016
http://thepitbulldaily.com/kangaroo-dog/

Life Daily
Dog Who Could Barely Walk On His Own Gets Artificial Paws 12/01/2016
http://www.lifedaily.com/dog-who-could-barely-walk-on-his-own-gets-artificial-paws/
International Coverage

Metro UK
Tigger the kangaroo dog needs surgery to get new prosthetic paws 01/01/2017
http://metro.co.uk/2017/01/01/tigger-the-kangaroo-dog-needs-surgery-to-get-new-prosthetic-paws-6353883/
Breaking News Europe
Tigger the kangaroo dog needs surgery to get new prosthetic paws 10/01/2017
https://www.europebreakingnews.net/2017/01/tigger-the-kangaroo-dog-needs-surgery-to-get-new-prosthetic-paws/

Planet VetTV
Dog Kangaroo Expects Surgery to Get Rid of Pain 09/08/2016
http://www.planetvet.com.br/noticias/cao-canguru-espera-cirurgia-para-se-livrar-da-dor/

Television Coverage

ABC affiliate KTAU News,
Tigger the Dog Doesn't Let His Deformity Bring Him Down 06/7/2016
http://katu.com/news/local/tigger-the-dog-doesnt-let-his-deformity-bring-him-down

CBS affiliate KOIN News,
Savin’ Dogs: Hundreds of Portland Dogs Rescued 06/16/2016
http://koin.com/2016/06/16/savin-dogs-hundreds-of-portland-dogs-rescued/

NBC affiliate KGW News,
Dog With Deformed Legs to Get His Surgery 09/07/216
http://www.kgw.com/mb/news/local/disabled-dog-getting-surgery-to-fix-paws/315383525

Addition Gannett Newspaper National Coverage

Arizona The Desert Sun
Disabled dog meets with vet, gets surgery date 9/17/2016
http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/2016/09/17/disabled-dog-meets-vet-gets-surgery-date/90521626/

Atlanta, Georgia Alive 11
Dog with deformed paws has plenty of love to share 9/6/2016
http://www.11alive.com/life/pets/dog-with-deformed-paws-has-plenty-of-love-to-share/314744714

Ozaukee County, Wisconsin Ozaukee Now
Dog with deformed paws has plenty of love to share 9/6/2016
http://www.myozaukeenow.com/story/news/humankind/2016/09/06/dog-deformed-paws-has-plenty-love-share/89332220/

Wilmington, Delaware Online
Dog has surgery to attach artificial paw 11/28/2016
http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/humankind/2016/11/28/dog-has-surgery-attach-artificial-paw/93977748/

Greenville, South Carolina Greenville Online 11/28/2016
Dog has surgery to attach artificial paw
http://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/humankind/2016/11/28/dog-has-surgery-attach-artificial-paw/93977748/

Hagatna, Guam Pacific Daily
Dog has surgery to attach artificial paw 11/28/2016
http://www.guampdn.com/story/news/humankind/2016/11/28/dog-has-surgery-attach-artificial-paw/93977748/

Ooyuz New and Analytics
Deformed dog gets new lease on life 11/9/2016
http://www.ooyuz.com/geturl?aid=13872413

DrifterUp Medical News
Tigger starts water therapy as leg improves
http://medicalnews.drifterup.com/News/Details/30843 01/01/2017




And check out Tigger's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/paws.for.tigger%20/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

1)Who you are    Eve Good 
2. Where you're from Scio, Oregon
4. How the funds will be used (be specific as possible) The funds will go to 
OSU College of Veterinary Medicine Lois Bates Acheson Veterinary Hospital  and Lebanon Animal Hospital 


5. If you intend to withdraw the money, how you plan to send the funds to the parties you're raising money for or use the money on their behalf
GoFundMe can not hold these funds any longer nor release the funds OSU College of Veterinary Medicine Lois Bates Acheson Veterinary Hospital and Lebanon Animal Hospital. I, Eve Good, opened a business bank account at US Bank in Lebanon OR with the EIN number for DBA Paws for Tigger so Tigger's medical bills can be paid from that account.