Oklahoma State University vets correct puppy’s upside-down paws
A hound puppy named Milo was born with upside-down paws, but vets from Oklahoma State University have corrected the problem through surgery.
Veterinarians can see a variety of unusual conditions, but Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Services recently saw a patient that beats everything – a puppy born with upside-down paws on his front legs.
Milo, a five-week-old hound puppy who might have some Beagle in him, was evaluated with a CT scan so vets could figure out a solution to his plight, a congenital dislocation of both elbows.
“With both elbows out of joint, Milo was unable to walk. Try as he may, the best he could do was an inefficient and seemingly uncomfortable army crawl,” Dr. Erik Clary said in a press release from the OK State website.
Dr. Clary is an associate professor of small animal surgery, and he’s only seen patients with Milo’s upside-down paws condition three times in his 27 years of practice.
No doubt, this is an example of what Dr. Ryan Henderson described in his interview with Dog O’Day as “the weighty cost of the vet life.”
A team headed by Dr. Clary performed Milo’s successful surgery on January 9, which was paid for by a nearby animal shelter.
“For each of his elbows, we had to go into the joint and restore the alignment. Then we placed a pin across the joint to keep it straight while his growing bones continue to take shape and his body lays down the internal scar tissue that will be needed for long-term stability.”
The splint, which Milo will wear for about three weeks, prevents his front legs from being used, then the pins will be removed and, if everything goes properly, his elbows will have healed enough to learn to walk normally with rehabilitation therapy.
He’s developed quite a following in his time at the hospital, according to Dr. Clary: “Milo’s a sweet and resilient dog. Many a well-wisher checked in on his progress. And since he couldn’t ambulate or stand well with the splint in place, he was happy to find no shortage of student and staff volunteers willing to hold him and help him get outside when needed.”
Next. Pawsh, LLC named best groomer in Oklahoma. dark
Oklahoma State is one of around 30 vet schools in the US, and one of three – along with Iowa State and Kansas State – to have their sports teams play in the Big 12 Conference. For more updates on OSU sports, see Pokes Post, the FanSided site for all things in Cowboys sports.
If you’d like to help pay for Milo’s medical costs, contact Oliver and Friends Farm Rescue and Sanctuary in Luther at 405-655-9885.