Abandoned dog with severed leg receives prosthesis

CLEVELAND - An injured dog rescued by Cleveland humane officers in August, received a new rear prosthetic paw Thursday from a Colorado company dedicated to helping animals with severe injuries.

Eight-month-old Wyatt wiggled his way into the Animal Protective League door on his three good legs. His rear right leg trailing his others as he used it as he sits, finding a comfortable place to relax. Wyatt tires quickly because at some point in his puppy past he had been abandoned, tied to a tree and lost his lower leg just above his right rear paw somehow.

Cleveland humane officers initially took the gray-mix breed to the Cleveland Kennel in early August, where he was then taken to the APL and placed there for possible adoption. With his loving demeanor he quickly became one of the shelter's favorites.

Wyatt soon found a foster family able to take care of him until the extent of his injuries could be determined for a possible prosthesis. APL Administrators, in conjunction with APL veterinarians who repaired his wounds, found funding for a Denver company dedicated to animal prostheses. A mold was made of Wyatt's leg in August.

Wyatt's new leg arrived early this week. After a few fittings Wyatt should be on four legs again, permanently.

Arriving with his foster mother around noon Wyatt was welcomed by APL volunteers and their staff veterinarian to acquaint him with his new leg. He allowed the prosthesis to be attached by its Velcro straps, but wasn't quite sure how to walk with it. It was a bit too long, needing a few angles changed, as well. But, Wyatt made do with it on his leg, seemingly sensing that it was an attempt to help him walk better.

Not fighting it, or chewing at its sudden foreign appearance, he quickly was able to get around, chasing a ball thrown around the indoor exercise room by volunteers.

He will need a few more fittings with the prosthesis. It will be sent back to Denver with pictures and video of its current fitting.

The APL has received a few options for a new home for Wyatt, but his new leg, injuries and health will be the APL's first priority.

APL's head of veterinary services Allison Lash fitted Wyatt for his first try today.

"Wyatt is special in the sense that he's so large and he's going to get larger and he has 95 percent of that leg. He's just missing that critical last about 13 centimeters of his foot remaining," said Lash.

"We've already seen some of the first necessary adjustments maybe even before his foster mom takes it home with her. We want him to be safe with this device and we want it to fit comfortably."

"We already took some images that we will get off to the company today. They're great, I'll get on the phone with them as soon as they get those images and we'll talk about some of the adjustments," said Lash.

For information on Wyatt's adoption, or to donate to the APL go to: www.clevelandapl.org

To donate for Piper's hip surgery, or for information on Piper's adoption you may call 440-442-7297 or go to the Public Animal Welfare, Inc., (PAWS) website at: www.pawsohio.org