COLUMBIA, SC......ELLA is a 2 1/2 year old beautiful German Shepherd that was picked up as a stray in Columbia, SC and ended up in a kill shelter. Her time was up and no one had stepped up for her. We were contacted about this incredibly sweet dog that was getting ready to be PTS. Everyone loved her but she needed more than love to save her right now. We got her to our surgeons in Savannah and were shocked to see how sick this sweet girl was. From being in the shelter environment she had a very resistant upper respiratory infection. That is a problem for any dog that had to have major surgery. We started her on antibiotics and fluids and then began to evaluate exactly what was wrong with her leg and pelvis. She has a small fracture in her pelvis but her big problem was that her leg was out of joint and had been for a while. This appeared to be an old injury. Having a leg out of joint is almost more painful than a broken leg. This sweet girl had endured a lot of pain and was still giving everyone kisses. We got her stable and were able to go in and put her leg back in place. She had a lot of scar tissue that had formed around the injury so the surgery was a lot more complicated than we were expecting. It has been a week and by the grace of God her leg has remained in place. Her chances of the joint staying in were very slim so were overjoyed with delight for her. The problem was that her URI was progressively getting worse. We switched her antibiotics three times and have finally found one that is working for her. We are now back working on the leg, which she refuses to use and I mean refuses. We have her scheduled to start rehab on the leg this coming week to do whatever we can to restore this stubborn leg or maybe it’s stubborn Ella. We DO NOT want to amputate her leg which is why we are doing all of this. We seem to be helping a lot of wonderful German Shepherds lately and she is one of the sweetest for such a big dog. She gives a look that only ELLA could do that says, I know I am big but give me a chance and I’ll shower you with kisses.
ELLA has been very resistant to use her leg but has finally realized it is there to walk on and is functional. She has started putting it down and slowly working it. She can be so stubborn at times but persistence has paid off and right now it appears her hip joint has stayed in place. We feel the worst is over for this beauty and feel confident the leg will not come out again. The fracture to her pelvis is very sound and is not causing her any other problems. She is going to make someone an incredible member of the family once her rehab is completed.
