‘Hey Malta, My Name Is Sprite The Dog, And I Need Your Help To Get A New Leg’
A two-year-old dog could become the first dog to get a prosthetic leg as his owner raises €6,000 to cover the costs.
Federica Russo, a veterinary nurse herself, rescued Sprite the two-year-old dog back in December. Injured in his left front leg, tests concluded that Sprite needs a prosthetic leg.
The problem is, this operation has never been done on animals before in Malta, though it is quite a common procedure abroad, and now Federica is trying to raise €6,000 for the prosthetic leg, surgeries and hydrotherapy.
“Sprite is an energetic and obedient (when he wants to be) Pointer mix who loves attention,” a member of the Help Sprite team told Lovin Malta. “Sprite has had a life of mixed fortune, and now he could become the first dog to be fitted with a prosthetic leg in Malta.”
Tests concluded that Sprite’s paw was paralysed, and the only options for him were physiotherapy or amputation
The physiotherapy began, and Sprite was fitted with dog boots to help keep his elbow intact and unhurt, but walking remained difficult.
However, there is a ray of hope
Since Sprite has full function of his shoulder and elbow, he qualifies for a prosthetic leg. That, coupled with physiotherapy and hydrotherapy, will give him full function of his leg; and since he wouldn’t be putting too much pressure on his other leg, that one will be preserved too.
Federica did her research and found Orthopets in the UK, a company which manufactures prosthetics for animals. In Malta, a surgeon has agreed to carry out the amputation following discussions with experts in the UK
Although this is a common procedure in Italy and the UK, it has never been done in Malta
This means that Sprite will be the first dog ever to get a prosthetic leg here, allowing him to live a full life.
Being such an energetic dog, Federica has no doubt that Sprite will adapt to the prosthetic leg quickly and without much trouble. She has already invested close to €1,000 on vet bills, but now, she needs your help.
Federica is appealing to the remarkable generosity of the Maltese people to help her make this happen for Sprite.
The aim of this campaign is to not only change the life of one dog, but to make Sprite the first of many dogs which are able to have this procedure.
Help Federica on her quest to give Sprite the life he deserves, along with those of all the other dogs which may need similar procedures.
If you would like to send your donations you can via Paypal by following this link
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