For the past eighteen months, we have done everything humanly possible to give Maya the best Life.  After being hit by a massive truck, Maya has endured six surgeries to put her pelvis back together, rebuild her broken body, and repair tendons and ligaments that have torn because of her massive size.  Four weeks ago, Maya suddenly became disabled again, and this time, I was given three options by her surgeon.  I was so shocked by the note from Dr. Sura that I just wept.  

Maya is a healthy dog in every way except this hip, which we have been dealing with since we first rescued her in 2023. I love the surgeons I work with at CVRC, especially Dr. Patti Sura because she does not beat around the bush. She is an amazing surgeon who has worked Miracles with Maya. Her note below took me entirely by surprise.

"Hey there. Patti Sura here. Crummy-ish news about Maya. I still didn't see progressive changes on her X-rays, so I ran her through the CT scanner to ensure we were not missing anything. Since we, as surgeons, never evaluate post-FHO and fracture repair CT scans, I needed to wait on the radiologist's report before making any recommendations about Maya's care. Unfortunately, they believe that she either has a continuing infection in the hip or potentially osteosarcoma of that left femur. Unfortunately, neither will respond to PT or a quadcart." 

"The way I see it, we have three options:

1. Re-approach the hip to get samples for biopsy and culture, and enter the pelvic canal to remove the buried portion of the left hip implant.

2. Amputate the left leg to get samples for biopsy and culture, and enter the pelvic canal to remove the buried portion of the left hip implant.

3. Decide she has been through enough and consider humane euthanasia.

I am not sure what to recommend. I lean towards #1 or #3 because I don't think she will do well on three legs. That being said, we could amputate for pain relief and then use a quadcart for sure!  I want to get her out of pain, and I know you do, too."

I went over my options with Dr. Sura and explained in great detail how much I believed we could save her.  I disliked the options and could not do number three.  I would not put Maya down without having definitive news that she had cancer and only after I had done everything possible to get her through it.  Dr. Sura loved this big girl and was glad to hear I wanted to keep going.  I opted to have surgery done to remove as much scar tissue as possible, to remove the plate, and to get samples for a biopsy.

Surgery was done, biopsies were taken, and as much scar tissue was removed as possible, but Dr. Sura could not find the metal apparatus without damaging her sciatic nerve.   Maya was closed up and remained in the ICU, heavily sedated to control her pain.  When Maya's pain was managed with oral medications, we brought her back to our Rehab Facility.  Unfortunately, Maya's leg was swollen twice it's normal size. The swelling caused her incision to drain blood constantly.  She had to go back to CVRC and have a drain put in surgically to control the bleeding.

Maya is back with us with her new drain.  Her swelling is under control, and her drain only produces a small amount of drainage.  She can finally stand up and toe-tap with her rear leg as she walks outside.   We have ordered a quad cart to take the weight off her legs so she does not do further damage.

The best news of all is that Maya does not have cancer.  She has an infection from the plate and toggle, which must be removed.  Dr. Sura has her on a new antibiotic to rid her body of as much infection as possible before her subsequent surgery.   Maya's next surgery, which is to remove the plate and toggle, will require two surgeons.  The procedure is complicated and is close to her sciatic nerve.  If her sciatic nerve is damaged, we will have to put her down.  Dr. Sura is taking every precaution to give Maya the best possible outcome.

We are begging everyone to DONATE as much as they can.  I have been covering many of Maya's bills, and everyone needs to help cover her care.  We cannot turn our backs on this young, beautiful dog who has endured every hardship that has come her way with a smile and a kiss for everyone who works with her.