Murphy ADOPTED

** ADOPTION PENDING **



Sponsorship: In memory of Miwi, Barbara Baldwin's little yorkie baby. Thank you Linda Livingston.



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ONLINE APPLICATION



We do out-of-state adoptions, new parents responsible for transportation. Visit website for adoption details. www.SFR.petfinder.org



Murphy is approx 4 yrs old, a Maltese, approx 12 lbs. Spayed, heartworm neg, up to date on shots. Very pretty girl. Great personality and very loving. A wonderful little girl, that needs a chance to have a happy life. She gets along well with other dogs, but can be shy at times. She also tends to be the alpha female. Can be a little protective of her mommy, with other dogs:)



Murphy is in need of hip surgery. (Rescue is going to do the surgery) Her hip has actually gotten better. Originally we were told she had a hip injury. NOT, she has a bone disease, which is not good. Based on her x-rays this is the only bone/joint that is affected. All other joints look great. This is not a life threatening issue!



But…. Because her hip wasn’t operated on two years ago (when she was lame), it has developed scar tissue around the hip joint, which has made it better. And, made her more mobile. She actually gets around great and only shows signs of problems when she is overactive (runs, jumps too much)




My vet recommended that we NOT do the surgery at this point. But, we are going to have it done, because nobody wants Murphy in her current condition. So, we're going to pay for the surgery and put her through it now, even though she doesn't need it yet. We hope this will help Murphy find a new forever, loving home.




There are essentially three types of surgeries that are possible. The list from least invasive to most invasive are femoral head, triple pelvic osteotomy, and total hip replacement.


Femoral head (recommended for Murphy) is a process where the vet goes in, cuts off the tops of the ball from the ball and socket joint on the femor bone and finishes. The trick to this surgery is the rehabilitation. Through exercise, the muscles develop around the joint and take over all the action. Essentially there is no longer any hip joint. Nothing is connected besides the muscles around the hip.


The positives of this surgery include the lower cost which is between $1000. and $2000, depending on your vet and the recuperation time. Also, the bones will no longer rub against each other so they will never get arthritis in that area later on in life. Other pluses are that no foreign materials like implants or cement are used so the likelihood of infection is less.


The negative of the surgery is the time needed to exercise the dog after the surgery. Walks with a sling under the belly, and hip extension exercises while held down are very intensive for at least 6-10 weeks after the surgery. Continued exercise will help and increase the muscles more every day. After that, stair climbing and running will most likely be possible after about 3 to 6 months and normal life will be led. Smaller dogs (under 30 lbs) have more successful recoveries.



BECOME A SPONSOR

Want to help, but can't adopt? You can sponsor a furbaby! Sponsorship will be noted on each furbabies petfinder page.


For a minimum sponsorship donation of $50.00, you will receive a picture of your sponsored furbaby and we will put you in touch with the foster parent(s), so you can receive updates periodically. You'll be able to follow your furbaby as they recover from their situation, spay/neutered and eventually adopted. But, MOST important, you will enjoy the feeling of knowing you, personally, have helped an abused or abandoned furbaby!


Most groups ask that you make a monthly donation of $25, until the baby is adopted, but we realize that can become very costly.


To sponsor a furbaby today, please click on the PayPal button below. You can also make a general donation as well. Thank you!