Bulldog Spotlight--
Angie Diane
From Angie Diane: My name is Angie Diane and I am only 5 months old. I was born with a problem with my legs and I cannot walk. I scoot around on my belly and use my legs like flippers. I look like a sea turtle on land. That is why they call me a “swimmer puppy.” You would be surprised how fast I can move. But it has also caused me to develop callouses and sores where my legs rub against the carpet.
I wish I had been given therapy when I was younger. I guess this makes me a late bloomer. But now that I am in rescue they have told me they will spare no time and expense to help me walk and hopefully play like a puppy should.
I already have my very own special foster mom, and she already loves me. She is a rehab vet tech so she knows all the things I need to help me get better. I will be having lots of tests and exams the next week or two so everyone can make a plan that is perfect just for me.
I am so thankful to rescue and their donors and volunteers for giving me this chance. I promise you I will work hard and do everything I can to be the playful puppy I was meant to be.
From Vet Tech Foster Mom: Get a mop. This girl will turn your heart into a puddle of goo!
I've worked with one other swimmer puppy in my career. That puppy was much younger and while his case was complicated, it was not nearly as challenging as this one. To see a puppy with this condition at this age is rare. The cold truth is that uneducated breeders euthanize these dogs very early on. To see a puppy like Angie Diane is incredible. At least for me, it is.
Angie is incredible. She has no idea that there is anything wrong with her. She is curious, playful and 100% puppy! She is so happy to be amongst other dogs and people. She can hold her own when playing.
I’m amazed at how she's adapted to her condition and her ability to thrive. She can wrestle, roll herself over and chew on her foster siblings ears, like any other puppy. Her face and ears are so expressive. You can't help but melt when you look into her eyes.
Dr. Barton and Dr. Gaines examined Angie Diane the day she was dropped off. We have started a very unique rehab plan for her. Both doctors, our other rehab nurses and myself will be working with her.
There are overwhelming obstacles for her to overcome and her prognosis is uncertain. Her greatest chance for improvement is very intense daily, almost around-the-clock rehabilitation.
Angie has been working hard these past few weeks. We’ve hit big goals and found new obstacles to overcome.
After constant use of thermo therapy, massage, modified stretching and passive range of motion exercises, Angie D. has enough flexibility to allow us to hobble her limbs and get her into a sling!
Time has not been her friend. Her muscles, ligaments and fascia have grown prohibitively rigid. Especially so in her rear limbs. This makes improving her range of motion and muscle flexibility difficult. She has some joint and bone growth deformities, as well.
We were able to get decent X-rays. From laying flat for so long, her rear legs started growing twisted. To try to describe it: imagine your knee cap was on the outside of your leg and your shins are trying to grow sideways, causing your feet to splay out like a duck (or Charlie Chaplin), but to the degree that your toes almost point behind you.
While I work with her at home and with my doctors and coworkers at HEAL, we will be sending her to Dr. Lay, the orthopedic surgeon who performed former rescue girl Lilibeth’s surgery, as well as Coco Carol’s surgery and many other foster.
Dr. Lay looked at Angie’s X-rays and recommended a 3D CT scan of her left elbow. I’ll be setting that up soon. I’m also working on getting a consultation with one of the orthopedic surgeons at Texas A&M. Her initial visit at A&M will cost approximately $2,000. That could easily increase to $5,000 to do corrective surgery on just her front legs.
We’re trying to be proactive and work quickly with Angie. While we are working toward rehabilitation of all her limbs, she may not get full function of her pelvic limbs. She is now able to pull her thighs underneath her enough that she can lay on her side and fit comfortably in the girdle of her wheelchair.
Angie D. has been incredible through all this. She never whines or cries during her long sessions in the sling. Everyone in the hospital keeps her entertained and smothers her in affection. She’s become so comfortable with all her handling. You could toss her across the room like a bag of oranges and it wouldn’t phase her (not that this would ever happen!).
She loves to play and wrestle with the other dogs. She’s feisty, always happy and seldom timid.
She’s very smart, as well. The other morning after breakfast, she pulled herself out of her therapy box, slithered across the room and onto her potty pad because she didn’t want to wait for me to take her to the bathroom. I was worried because she figured out how to escape, but I was proud that she knew where she’s supposed to use the bathroom!
We want to thank Lisa, everyone at HEAL Veterinary, Dr. Lay and so many donors who have pitched in to assist with her care.
Newsweek picked up the story about Angie Dianne and did an article on her. Check it out HERE.
For more information on Angie Diane, check out her page on our website.
