NBR Available template

Available for adoption through Northeastern Boxer Rescue

Oliver (MA)

fostered in MA
9 months old
Male
Adorable flashy fawn
natural ears
docked tail
Approx Weight: ?? lbs.

Back

Thank you Michelle Valandro for naming Oliver

“I was watching a dog show the other day and one of the dog's names was Oliver and I fell in love with this name. I kept thinking of a way to use this name and what is more perfect than this!”

FIRST SURGERY IS COMPLETED

Oliver was brought to TUFTS for his first major surgery. The surgical correction for Oliver’s knee involved creating a controlled fracture on the top part of his tibia and rotating the fracture into a new position. The fracture was then repaired with small pins. The following is the surgical report:

"A lateral approach to the left stifle was made. A medial and lateral arthrotomy was made. The cruciate ligaments were intact. A pseudo trochlcar groove present on the lateral aspect of the femoral condyle where the patella was sitting. The actual trochlea groove was virtually non-existent with minimal ridges. A tibial tuberosity transposition was performed. The ostcotomy was made with a sagittal saw. A hole just distal to the ostcotomy was made with a 5/64 pin and a piece of 20 gauge wire passed through the hole. The tuberosity was transposed approximately 5 mm medially and secured with two wires. The tension band was made by passing the cerclage wire around the K-wires and tightened. The K-wires were bent over the tibial tuberosity and cut short. The joint was lavaged with sterile saline. The medial joint capsule was closed using 2-0 PDS in a simple continuous pattern. Simple interrupted sutures were place in the lateral fascia, taking care to not close the joint capsule. The patella could not be luxated medially or laterally. The surgical site was lavaged with sterile saline. Subcutaneous tissue was closed with 2-0 PDS in a subcuticular pattern. Skin was closed with staples. A soft padded bandage was place post-operatively."

It is critical that Oliver has complete exercise restriction for the next 8 weeks. According to his post-op instructions he is not allowed to run, jump, climb stairs or have any unsupervised activity. An additional 8 weeks of moderate exercise restriction (short walks on hand held lead only) is then indicated. Twelve weeks after surgery, Oliver should be able to return to normal activity.

The surgeon expects Oliver to have some weight bearing on his leg within 10-14 days. According to the doctor's remarks, most animals bear weight about 50% of the time by four weeks and then continue to improve slowly up to six months. The staples in his leg need to be removed between 10-14 days. The bandage, which is covering his leg, will remain on for one week. Oliver was released with the following medication: Tramadol (analgesic-for addition pain relief) and Carprofen (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory also used for pain).

Radiographs are scheduled at TUFTS in approximately eight weeks to assess healing. Once his leg has healed Oliver will need to repeat this procedure on his other leg. Oliver is recovering in his foster home and is as comfortable as can be expected. His foster mom will be giving us a progress report within the next few days.

We want to thank the people who have donated to help with Oliver’s medical expenses but we are FAR short of recouping the outlay of money for this surgery. Our medical expenses have already surpassed last year’s totals. To allow NBR to keep reaching out to the most helpless dogs we need your financial assistance now more than ever.

SURGERY IS SCHEDULED

Oliver had his appointment with the Orthopedic Surgeon at TUFTS. More x-rays were taken and he was given a thorough exam. Dr. McCarthy confirmed that Oliver would need multiple surgeries, but his approach was different than the initial surgical assessment given by the other doctor who examined him.

Dr. McCarthy said that in his experience, drastic surgeries for this type of condition (Genu Valgum) do not give much improvement. He also worries that multiple painful surgeries often compromise a dog’s disposition.

Dr. McCarthy felt the biggest concern was Oliver’s knee joints which he said were as bad as they get. He has bi-lateral, grade four (most severe) lateral luxating patellas. X-rays showed that his kneecaps are on the side of his legs instead of the front where they belong.

The doctor said that although Gulliver has ten other angular changes in his hind joints that could be corrected, he felt that treating him conservatively would be the best. He felt that if they address the kneecaps surgically, there would be a 90% chance that it would help with Oliver’s other angular deformities.

Each hind leg will need to be operated on separately, 8 to 12 weeks apart. If Oliver does not start using his leg immediately after surgery he will need post-op physical therapy (PT) and, if he does use it, PT would not be needed until 6 weeks after the second surgery.

Oliver’s first surgery is scheduled this week. The operation will require Dr. McCarthy to break the bone below the knee to allow him to reposition the kneecap which will then be secured with pins and wires.

These surgical procedures are extremely costly. We are currently facing Gulliver’s huge medical expenses and with Oliver’s upcoming surgeries NBR will be in a desperate situation.

We cannot help the dogs that need us the most, without your help. If you are reGulliver’sading this story, please consider donating whatever you can to help these needy dogs. Even small donations are helpful. Oliver has over 1,000 hits on his page but we have received only one donation for him to date. If all 1,000+ people who read his story would have given at least $1 it would have helped contribute towards his medical bills.

THESE DOGS NEED YOU!

A LIMITED PAST…AN UNLIMITED FUTURE

Multiple Surgeries Required

OLIVER

We received the following email regarding a young male boxer who was born with a congenital deformity which affected both hind legs. He was brought to an animal hospital to be killed by a pet store owner when he could not sell him.

“I know you must get a lot of emails like this one, but I am sending it to you anyway with the hope that this story touches you like it touched me. Is this a puppy that you can help (please, see attachment). This sweet puppy is at the animal hospital where I take my pets. I found your email address on the internet. I understand that you have many animals and may not be able to help him, but I thought I would send it to you just in case you may be able to help him.”

NBR responded immediately and offered our help. We learned that Oliver has basically been caged his whole life. He was born in a cage at a puppy mill, shipped to a cage in a pet store, and survived in a cage in a vet hospital where he had been brought in to be killed by the owner of a pet store. Oliver never had an

opportunity to walk on grass or feel earth underneath his deformed legs. Luckily the animal hospital staff decided to seek help for Oliver instead of letting him die.

Our first task, was to collect information regarding his condition. We discovered that the animal hospital staff took Oliver to a local orthopedic surgeon who diagnosed him with Genu Valgum, which is a congenital/heritable deformity affecting large breed dogs. This condition results in “knock knees“, lateral patella lunation, external rotation of the paws and severe muscle atrophy. This condition affects the hip, dysplastic, stifle and tarsal joints. Left untreated, degenerative joint disease and arthritis will progress.

The surgeon’s report stated that the correction of Oliver’s deformity would require femoral osteotomy to align the bone-quadriceps muscle axis, release and tightening of lateral and medial para patellar ligaments, tibial tuberosity translocation to a medial position, patellar ligament lengthen and femoral trochleaplasty. Surgeries would need to be six to eight weeks apart. Ultimate function would also necessitate daily physical therapy for optimal results.

Oliver is now with his foster family and doing well. We have scheduled the first available appointment at TUFTS small Animal Hospital for a consult with orthopedic surgeon, Dr. McCarthy (see Gulliver’s story). We trust Dr. McCarthy’s opinion, and his excellent surgical skills, so we know Oliver will get the best treatment.

Oliver's foster mom's report:

“Imagine spending the first 9 months of your life indoors, and not even in a home. Oliver has had a rough start, but is adjusting to "house life" like a true champ!

Everything is new to him; from the grass outside, to the stairs or cars passing by the house. Oliver seems to be forgetting that his past was so limited. He has recently realized that stairs are how you get to the people. He has figured out that the grass outdoors is for running on and playing around with your foster brother.

We are patiently awaiting Oliver’s evaluation with Dr. McCarthy at TUFTS, so we can get his surgery underway. His condition, known as "Genu Valgum", will need to be corrected so he can live a pain free life as he continues to grow. This condition is a congenital and heritable deformity that almost ended his life in the first place; when the pet store owner wanted to kill him.

At the moment, Oliver looks like a puppy with disproportioned legs. The simple things in life, such as running and playing, will sometimes make his legs go out from underneath him.

Luckily, there are caring people out in the world that are willing to give him a chance at life.”

Once again, our organization will incur very large veterinary bills for Oliver’s surgery and care. We are still in need of your financial support. Please help us save more dogs who need special care by sending a donation. We are very grateful for whatever help you can provide.
If you can help with the medical care for Oliver
You can send a check directly to: Northeastern Boxer Rescue
P.O. Box 95 Sunderland MA 01375. or use

makes it easy and secure to send payments online via credit card.

If you are interested in adopting this dog, please fill out an online application first. Then e-mail the contact below. Be sure to include your full name, city, state, and area code in the subject line of your message.