Finn Needs Your Help
Fighting for Finn
This is a pre-surgery video of Finn. Normally he doesn't walk much, but he has been on a diet and will walk for food..click here
His name is Finn and he’s just five-years-old.
Finn’s journey began in 2008 when he was two. That was the first time his owner contacted ATRA about surrender. According to the owner, as soon as the family adopted Finn at age 1, they noticed he had trouble getting up from the floor and was hesitant to use the stairs. He was over-weight and had been diagnosed with hip dysplasia. Finn took prescribed medication to help with the hip dysplasia, but the family was limited as to what they could afford. To make matters worse, at home Finn was separated and secluded from the family much of the time because there were young children in the house. His owner, said, "At this time, Finn is behind on his shots, in need of a trim and has not been on meds for about a month. Our financial priorities have sort of left him on the back end…We believe that Finn would be much happier in an environment that was more conducive to his size and gentle exercise needs.”
An ATRA volunteer arranged to bring Finn into rescue, but the family suddenly hesitated; all contact with ATRA ceased.
Until February 2012.
On February 22, the owner again contacted ATRA about Finn. The family was breaking up and in “desperate need” of surrendering Finn. It was also revealed that Finn’s hip dysplasia had worsened to the degree that the pain caused him to bark and moan in agony. He was also beginning to snap at the children when agitated. “He is a sweet boy and wants to play, but can barely walk,” the owner said in an e-mail.
When I finally met Finn he was in the back of the truck in his portable kennel. He could not get out of the truck. We had to lift the kennel to the ground and he struggled, leaning his weight on his front legs to stand and get out of his kennel. It was heart breaking to see how he was suffering. It was shocking to see the effects of the hip dysplasia and Finn's efforts to relieve the pain had contorted his body. Although a little larger in height than is typical for an Airedale, Finn tipped the scale at 115 pounds – 20-25 pounds more than his physical build should carry.
His butt is very small compared to his chest. He has lost his muscle in the back legs because he has been leaning forward putting his weight on his front legs in an effort to make the pain in his back legs go away.
Finn has been walking on hips that were grinding together causing them to further deteriorate and cause pain all this time. Through it all Finn has been happy and sweet, giving out tail wags and kisses whenever he meets someone.
A grinding halt
Hip dysplasia is the failure of the ball and socket to develop normally. It is one of the most common skeletal dis-eases in dogs and is most common in large breeds. Genetics, obesity and nutrition are causes of hip dysplasia. If left untreated, the deterioration of the hip joint can cause crippling lameness and painful arthritis.
X-rays revealed another serious problem for Finn: A torn ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) on the right side. It’s likely Finn's hip dysplasia and the excess weight caused the ACL rupture. When the ACL is torn, weight-bearing movement causes the upper bone of the leg to slide down the lower bone. Not only is this painful, but also causes the knee to give out while the dog is walking. This type of injury is often accompanied by a “click” that can be heard when a dog walks. Finn has an audible click when he walks, which is bad.
Left untreated the leg will likely become arthritic and painful from instability. As with Finn, such an injury can be debilitating, regardless of the dog's age.
A dog’s knee joint is similar to your knee…. Imagine the pain you’d be in if you experienced an ACL rupture in both knees. Now, imagine what Finn is going through. Through it all Finn is still happy to see me. He’s such a nice boy, he’s still greets people with his tail wagging
After consulting with veterinarian,Dr.Scanlan,at Otter Lake Animal Care,we decided the first thing to do was to put Finn on a diet and get his weight down. We felt that would give him some relief, in addition to improving his overall health, while we considered the next steps. We felt that would give him some relief, in addition to improving his overall health, while we considered the next steps.
However, things did not work out as planned.. Because Finn was putting all of his weight on the left leg – the less painful of the two legs – in less than a week after he arrived into rescue he ruptured his other ACL.
Finn is just five-years-old and is barely able to walk due to hip dysplasia and ACL ruptures in both knees.”
It will take two surgeries to mend the damage to Finn’s legs. The first surgery will repair the right ACL and hip and will take about 4 hours. A titanium plate and screws, spacers and a bone graft will stabilize the thighbone from moving downward over the sloped shin bone and FHO (femoral head ostectomy) where the hip joint will be modified to relieve the pain there.
The goal is to relieve Finn’s load from the ligaments to the quadriceps muscles. After Finn has recovered from the first surgery, with the help and love of his ATRA foster family, a second surgery will then be performed on his left ACL and hip.
During the recovery, because of Finn’s weight he will need a cart for support. As the repaired legs starts to feel better, the tendency will be for him to shift the weight to the good leg. The cart will support him letting him use the legs, but supporting his weight. More on Finn’s Cart later.
Finn needs you
The cost of Finn’s surgeries is expected to be more than $5,000. With your help, Finn is sure to have the medical care he needs and deserves. With your help, Finn will have a second chance – no, actually a first chance – at the life he deserves. Finn will walk, run, climb and wiggle his rear in delight. He will be happy. He will make us laugh. And he will bring one lucky family so much joy.
Won’t you join the fight for Finn?
ATRA, 1123 Vesper Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
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With your help, Finn will finally live the life of a true Airedale.
This is a pre-surgery video of Finn. Normally he doesn't walk much, but he has been on a diet and will walk for food..click here