A cockapoo who needed life-changing surgery is a step closer to a pain-free future, thanks to the donations from Cumbria Crack readers and others across the county.
An urgent campaign was launched to raise cash for Thomas’ surgery to rebuild his hips by Oak Tree Animals’ Charity, which looks after him.
Nine-month-old Thomas was handed into the charity as his owner could no longer provide the care he needed.
Thomas has hip dysplasia on both sides and the charity launched the appeal to raise the money for surgery – with people donating almost £3,500.
Thomas went under the knife at Paragon Vets in Dalston on Friday for the first stage of life-changing surgery and is now in recovery and doing well.
Orthopaedic surgeon Gareth Harries, took two hours to reconstruct Thomas’s right hip, carrying out a femoral head excision which costs with discounts for the charity approximately £900 per hip.
Hip dysplasia means that the ball and socket of the hip joint develop abnormally leading to the ball not sitting properly within the socket and rubbing painfully, said Paragon vet Graham Lewis.
“The operation is tricky as it involves taking out a section of bone,” said Graham, who is the small animal lead at the practice. “But Gareth has done an amazing job and we are delighted with Thomas’ prognosis.
“Thomas is now on strong painkillers and a strict diet of special food that is kind to the gut after an anaesthetic. He is back on his feet and has been able to go home with his foster carer.”
Thomas is now facing weeks of physiotherapy and laser therapy to give him the best chance of a quick recovery. “It could be two months before we are able to operate on the other hip, but we are very hopeful that, by early summer, Thomas will have a new lease of life and will be pain-free,” said Graham.
“Thomas grew up with this condition and has never known anything else. It’s wonderful to think that, thanks to all the people who donated to help him, Thomas is going to experience the joy of being able to run around, free, without any pain.
“He is a brave boy and a lovely natured dog who deserves the best treatment we can give him.”
Any surplus donations raised will go to help care for other animals in need at the charity.
