image copyrightGreenacres Rescue
3 hours ago
A British female spaniel named Ariel, who was born with six legs, has had her extra limbs successfully removed. The 11-week-old puppy was found abandoned outside a department store in Pembrokeshire, England, last September, making headline news.
After that, people from all over the world, caring for Ariel’s fate, donated about 15 thousand pounds for the operation, which changed the dog’s life.
Surgeon Aaron Latchman managed to save all four of her limbs, although he initially feared one might have to be amputated.
“She feels very good and is already back to normal. Now this is a dog quite happy with life, and we hope that she will continue to have a wonderful life,” said the surgeon.
“She already has her own character and although her life started off hard, she has dealt with it well. We are very glad that we were able to do everything we could to help her.”
When Ariel was found abandoned outside the store, she was exhausted and visibly stressed. After this, employees of the Greenacres Rescue animal shelter near Haverfordwest began caring for the animal.
According to Mikey Lawlor, the founder and manager of the shelter, at birth the spaniel was found to have several serious abnormalities. Including the veterinarian who examined her first, in addition to two extra hind legs, discovered an additional vulva.
A CT scan later revealed that the dog only had one kidney, which also complicated treatment.
image copyrightGreenacres Rescue
Photo caption,
The x-ray shows that Ariel had two hip joints on the right side
“Because Ariel had two hip joints on one side, her pelvis did not form properly. As a result, her normal rear right leg had virtually no muscle tension, so there was a possibility that that too would have to be removed.”
“Fortunately, this was not necessary, since in recent months there have been signs that the paw has become a little stronger,” said the founder of the shelter.
Ariel underwent surgery on Thursday at a veterinary clinic in Somerset. “She had two surgeries that lasted about two hours, but both went well,” Mikey Lawlor said.
“The next day she got up on her own, walked, ate and drank. We’re just worried that she won’t catch any infections, but otherwise she’s in very good hands.”
Lawlor hopes Ariel will be discharged in the coming days and return to west Wales to the family who have agreed to take her in temporarily.
“Then, after several weeks of physiotherapy and recovery, we will look for permanent owners,” he added.
“The response to Ariel’s story, including calls and emails from as far away as New York and Australia, has been incredible, so I have no doubt she will be picked up very quickly,” he said.
“I am extremely grateful to everyone who helped her,” Lawlor added.
image copyrightGreenacres Rescue
Photo caption,
Funds for treating the dog came from many countries around the world.
Sign up for our email newsletter to receive the day’s top stories every evening, Monday through Friday, plus context to help you make sense of what’s happening.
2024-01-20 20:12:24
#British #dog #legs #extra #limbs #successfully #removed #world #raised #money #operation #BBC #News
