Zoey

Zoey is a loving and entertaining Staffordshire Bull Terrier/American Pit Bull Terrier mix. She is 10 months old. Zoey came to RCHS's adoption program because of breed bans, where her and her sister had to be given up by their family who had unknowingly moved an area with a breed ban.  Zoey is a great girl who is wonderful with dogs and most likely cats. She has yet to meet a stranger and if you allow her the chance, she'll cover you in loving kisses. Children are a favorite of hers since they usually have something yummy and sticky on them that needs to be cleaned off, making her a wonderful nanny.

When Zoey started having trouble walking it was initially suspected that she had managed to tear both of her ACL's as she's a very active pup. Instead the vet discovered she was suffering from severe hip dysplasia (more info).  X-rays showed that her left hip was completely out of the socket, while her right was rubbing on the joint causing the majority of the pain.  The options presented to us were euthanasia or a Femoral Head Oseotomy. Of course we opted for the FHO! This procedure literally means that they remove the 'ball' portion of the 'ball and socket' joint which is the hip. The muscles will have to make up for the missing bone, but removing the femoral head is the only way to get rid of the pain and give her the chance to be like a normal dog.  If you'd like more info on FHO click here.

Zoey receivied her first surgery on Tuesday, January 10th. Within 45 minutes of waking up from her surgery Zoey was standing up, giving kisses, and wagging her tail. She'll need to be using the leg again before January 20th to ensure proper recovery. Once she's healed up enough and the leg is usable she'll have to go through the proceedure again on the other hip.