Tucker's Surgery

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On October 3, 2007 a severely malnourished and dehydrated white pit bull was found lying by the side of the road. Unable to pass by, we loaded him into our car and transported him to Barkalounge. He was unchipped as was expected and wearing no collar or tags. Within the first few hours we found multiple unexplained severe scars on his body which appeared to be surgical, but were so poorly performed we wondered what 8 year old might have done the surgeries. We were initially baffled by the multiple horrific ropy scars on his belly as well as the "Frankenstein" looking scars on his right rear leg.

Over the next several days we also realized Tucker was profoundly deaf. Heavy vibration was the only thing he could distinguish. Within the next week, following initial vaccinations and vetting, we found that Tucker could not walk properly because of severe pain in his left rear leg. Our veterinarian performed full body x-rays not only on the abdominal cavity, but on the legs and hips. We were horrified and deeply affected by what was found.

Tucker had been used as a drug mule. This is where a dog's belly is sliced open, a drug bladder is inserted, and they are stitched and sent on a transport with the drugs. The belly is then sliced open again and the drugs removed. Often times this is done with nothing more than chloroform in someone's basement or garage. As if this were not enough, a steel rod was inserted into his right rear leg for stability but was unsecured. It was beginning to tear into bone and muscle. Not only was the surgery blatantly wrong, it was performed by someone without orthopedic or even veterinary knowledge and put into the WRONG leg. Because of this, and overcompensation on Tucker's part to walk without pain, the left rear leg degraded and collapsed. The only answer was over $6,800.00 worth of bone cutting and repair surgeries. Because of a community of good Samaritans and an outpouring of help from rescue agencies, Tucker's surgery was fully funded.

Over the past 3 1/2 years we have worked hard with Tucker on his fear based aggression toward everyday objects and being physically touched as well as meeting strangers. For the first year even the sight of a pair of household scissors sent him into an actual trance of pure fear where his eyes would roll backward and he would begin a strange song of "fear screams". Today, with one of his foster family members present, he is able to go to the vet and be fully examined, including x-rayed, have his nails trimmed and even meet new people and participate in special events such as the Indy Pit Crew Annual Bully March.

On April 25, 2011 pain, swelling and degradation in this same left rear leg brought us back to the vet only to determine that the apparatus that was surgically put in to stabilize the leg must be permanently removed. We know surgery is required, but pending the Orthopedic evaluation which will be occurring shortly, we do not know the extent of the problem or the extent of the surgical intervention. The minimum cost to remove the surgical screws and plates will be no less than $1,500.00. Only then will we know if there is a potential tumor on the bone or if there is a hairline fracture - both of which are possibilities based on the x-rays performed today.

We seek raise the necessary funding to help this resilient, breathtaking, and amazing creature that we may make what is left of his life a reason for not giving in and not giving up on the humanity that sought to torture and destroy him.

Any funds raised over the actual cost of Tucker's surgery will be donated to local rescues so they may save other dogs like Tucker.