This 12 week old puppy was born with clubbed feet.  Although she has normal bone structure, her pads are fused together...

Savannah's Story

10/19/05

Overcoming so much, Savannah has achieved her Therapy Dog certificate.  This little girl, who is just a little over a year old, has so much determination and perseverance that nothing has stood in her way.  Congratulations Savannah!  You make us all very proud of you.

Not so little anymore, Savannah and her new adopted Mom look very happy together.

11/12/04

This 12 week old puppy was born with clubbed feet.  Although she has normal bone structure, her pads are fused together and the tendons have contracted in the back right foot (the most deformed of them all) so she doesn't walk on pads, but on the side of her foot where she has developed a callous.  The vet will be consulting with specialists to determine if corrective surgery will be helpful.  Savannah is a quiet, laid back puppy.

 

12/1/04

We are taking Savannah to Ohio State for an evaluation of her feet.  One vet recommended amputation of a rear leg and we wanted to exhaust all options before making that decision.  Adoption still on hold.

1/03/05

Savannah is scheduled for surgery at Ohio State in February which will require several weeks of rehabilitation at their facility.  We are taking every opportunity to save her leg and repair the pads on her other paws.  She will be available for adoption after March 1st.  Keep checking for updates.

1/05/05

OSU can take her earlier than expected for surgery and she will be taken on Saturday, Jan 8.  In order for her to have time to heal, she will not be available for adoption until Feb 1.

The pads on the other three legs won't be fixed until she grows a little more because the OSU doc wants to tackle one issue at a time.  We will put her up for adoption after this first surgery but the adopters must take her back to OSU (at GRIN's expense) when the doc wants to do the surgery on her other three paws.

1/17/05

Savannah's surgery has not slowed her down in the least!  She's just as energetic and playful as she was before her procedure.  On Tuesday, Jan. 11 Savannah underwent a tendon lengthening procedure.  Basically, her tendons were cut to allow her foot to relax to its normal position and her tendons are expected to repair in 2-3 weeks time.  A few days after surgery, the vet indicated to us that her foot had not relaxed as much as he would like and a second surgery may be required.  He has not yet scheduled that surgery and will wait to see if her foot relaxes any more.

1/19/05

Savannah's bandages were changed and some progress has been made.  It will still be a few more bandage changes before it can be determined whether another surgery will be needed.  She is starting to get a sore between her toes so they are going to change them more frequently.  She has begun chewing on them and a cone like Wellington had may become necessary.  The sore and callous where she had walked on her leg is healing and falling off.  Jay from OSU feels if they can just get her foot to a certain position, she will do the rest.  Just by putting her weight on it should stretch it out to where it should be.  She won't have flexibility, but she'll be able to walk on it.

Jay also said she is doing very well with her house breaking and now goes all night without an accident in her crate.  A fenced in yard is going to be a must for Savannah.  She is too active and too curious.

1/22/05

Dr. Dyce looked at her yesterday and wants to wait to see how she does this weekend before deciding on further surgery.  The bandages and splint are off and she is getting physical therapy three times a day.  She has been a little trooper and has been so good during everything she has through.  She is happy all the time and lets them do whatever they need to.

1/25/05

Dr. Dudley called and they will have to do a second surgery.  The foot hasn't turned quite as much as they would like.  He said there may be some scar tissue from the first surgery hampering it and they may have to cut a couple ligaments.  They will put her leg in a cast and she will need to be there 10 to 14 more days.  He just raved about how sweet she is.

They had a rotation and Jay is no longer her caretaker.  So Jose will be calling now on a daily basis.  Dr. Dudley said she will probably need physical therapy and short leash walks when she gets home, but it won't be difficult, so that she will use her foot and stretch those toes.

1/27/05

Savannah had her second surgery today and is doing well.  They cut additional tendons in her foot and cut some skin to allow her toes to extend.  She is currently wearing a splint on the leg and will be evaluated for additional physical therapy on Thursday.

4/11/05

OSU doctors are very happy with the progress of her foot.  It is staying in position and they believe with time she will put her total weight on it.  Kristen said since that appointment, Savannah will put her full weight on it on grass.  She feels it won't be long before she is always walking on it.  She starts dog obedience classes the middle of this month, and then she has to wait a couple of months before she can start the therapy dog classes.  What a success story!!

 

G.R.I.N. is a non-profit organization, we rely solely on the generosity of kind and giving people like you!  We're registered with a 501(c)(3) status, so all your donations, including sponsorships, are tax-deductible.

 

To make a donation to the Arnold Fund, which is only used for our goldens available for sponsorship, donate through Paypal's secure link to the left or by check or money order.
Thank you for your donations. 

 

Arnold Fund
Golden Retrievers In Need
P.O. Box 24365
Cleveland, OH 44124


Savannah's Sponsors!
Thank you!

Deborah Busta
Kim M Monocchi
Bonnie Sweebe
Judy Welday
Dick and Marlene Ashcroft
Karen Semancik

A very special thanks to Judy Campbell and Patty Hoyer from PAWSitive Resources and their friend Angie Herron, who took an interest in little Savannah. They raised over $700 to help us for her surgeries.

The Goldstock Fund (Golden Sponsors)