| Zippy
Update and Thank You |
In
September 2006 we highlighted the case of Zippy, a little dog who
had suffered some horrific injuries and is now in the care of Stephanie
Henry and Pauline Wright of 4Pawz&More Rescue.
Thanks to the kindness and generosity from many people throughout
the country who either donated or organised fundraising events,
£8,125.00 was raised so Zippy was able to have the much needed
operations which would help give him back some use of his legs. |
November
23rd 2006
Zippy had the first of a two part operation to repair one of his
damaged legs. During the days that followed he received intensive
physiotherapy to help stretch his muscles and soft tissue. There
was a possibility that another operation may be needed if his ankle
wasn’t in alignment with his leg. He responded well to treatment.
November 30th 2006
The second part of the operation to repair Zippy’s left leg
didn’t go as well as was hoped and his leg became very inflamed.
He was on pain relief and antibiotics for a while but by December
8th he was much
brighter and with the help of his support sling he finally managed
to stand on all four legs.
December
18th 2006
Good news! Zippy was discharged from hospital and was welcomed
back into the arms of his foster carer Stevie. Zippy still
had to undergo constant physiotherapy and take short slow
walks to help stretch his muscles and get him to use his legs
properly. At this point the hospital was still undecided what
to do about his ankle operation.
January 29th 2007
Zippy went back to the RVC hospital to have some x-rays. A
decision also had to be made as to whether he should have
his ankle straightened. The hospital staff were happy with
Zippy’s x-rays and decided it was best not to do any
more operations for the time being. The next stage would be
hydrotherapy sessions, starting in February.
|
|
Zippy getting a cut and blow
dry ready for his big return to
hospital in January. |
February
13th 2007
Zippy went for his first assessment for hydrotherapy. He wasn’t
allowed to swim because his spine was painful but he received some
soothing laser treatment and
massage. This made a big difference – his back was straighter
and he managed to run around the room!
Zippy is continuing to have on-going treatment and will hopefully
have his first hydrotherapy swim on Tuesday 20th February 2007.
We would like to say a very big thank you to everyone who helped
to raise money for the Zippy & Friends Fund.
Zippy
Update and Thank You Poster
If you helped to raise funds or would simply like to update
people on Zippy's progress, please print off this Zippy
Update Poster and put it on the office pinboard, on the
supermarket notice board, in the corner shop, or anywhere
you think it will get seen by fundraisers so we can give everyone
a big "Thank you". |
|
|
|
Zippy
looking much happier - February 2007 |
|
 |
|
Zippy
standing on all 4 legs at last |
|
|
| Fundraising
for Zippy |
4Pawz&More Rescue
is a small voluntary organisation based in Kent. They help rescue
dogs in need of help from the UK & Ireland. One of the latest
arrivals at 4Pawz&More Rescue is a little Fox Terrier dog
called Zippy. He is an incredibly sweet boy and only a baby at
no more than 10-12 months old. Yet already in his short life he
has been to hell and back. |
 |
Little is known about the exact details of
Zippy's life before he ended up in rescue other than the fact
that he was in two previous homes that are known of.
He has had an accident somewhere along the line and not been
taken to see a vet. Recently he was used as a football by
a group of kids who thought it was funny to kick a defenceless
little dog. It was thought he is now paralysed but he has
recently started to wag his tail.
He can't use his back legs and drops on to his hips and pulls
himself around on his front legs with his back legs dragging
behind him. |
|
Pauline Wright and Stephanie Henry of 4Pawz&More
Rescue have been helping Zippy to recover by providing him
with therapy and a foster home.
Stephanie,
who is currently providing Zippy with a foster home, says
"He is a very loving little lad and adores lap cuddles.
He is getting on fine with the other dogs and even the kitten
and shows no signs of aggression or fear with them. But I
do feel sorry for him when they are having fun, running around
and playing. He so badly wants to join in". |
|
|
 |
But
playing and running around is not Zippy’s only problem.
When the little lad wants to rest he finds it difficult to
get comfortable. Stephanie
explains that Zippy usually tries to sleep half sitting up,
wedged in a corner of the room or in his crate with his head
drooping. |
|
On
11th September 2006, Zippy had an appointment at the Royal Veterinary
Hospital to be seen by a specialist orthopaedic surgeon. Hopes were
that the surgeon would be able to operate on Zippy to give him back
some use of his legs.
Unfortunately the news was not good. The assessment lasted for two
hours during which the extent of the damage became clear. Pauline
and Stephanie
had some heavy soul searching and decision making to do.
The specialist explained that he had only ever seen two such cases
that were on a par with Zippy’s problems. He also explained
that Zippy’s body was already showing the signs of rheumatism.
The specialist described the three available options.
The first option would be double surgery on both of Zippy’s
legs at the same time, requiring weeks of crate rest, physiotherapy
and hydrotherapy with possibly only temporary results.
The second proposed option would be to operate on one leg at a time,
removing bone from the top of Zippy’s legs above and below
the knee, adding plates to straighten them as well as plates on
the knee joints and behind the back of the leg, stretch and cut
ligaments and tendons and hope that all the tissues will grow back
naturally. |
The
third option would be euthanasia.
Zippy’s carers have decided to try the second option.
Stephanie
explains "We know that there will always be someone who
doesn’t agree with whatever decision we make but at
the end of the day he is in our care, we see him daily and
we have to decide what we think is best for him. We believe
this option will give Zippy a chance at a better quality of
life".
Unfortunately, the £8,000 fee for Zippy's operation
is way beyond what the charity can afford. But Stephanie
is determined to try to raise the required funds.
"Zippy is a lively, loving lad and those that have met
him can vouch for his character and we feel he deserves the
chance to have a better quality of life. We do know the risks
that could be involved but they are the risks we all take
when considering any operation. This little lad has so much
love and pleasure to give." |
|
|
Zippy
will stay in his foster home while he is having his treatment
as he will need daily care and therapy. Once he is declared fit,
the charity will be able to concentrate on finding Zippy a new
home. A quiet home would suit Zippy well, where he will have short
walks and maybe an older playmate to keep him company. Stephanie
would love to see him go to a home where he will be loved, pampered
and spoilt.
In the mean time, the fundraising effort has begun. The operation
cannot go ahead without the funds. Stephanie
and Pauline of 4Pawz&More Rescue
are
both very aware of the enormity of the challenge they face in
attempting to raise this kind of money. They simply ask that anyone
who reads about Zippy and wants to help will either give a donation
or will help the fundraising effort by organising raffles, carboot
sales, jumble sales, or anything they can think of. |
Zippy
& Friends Fund *
To donate or help in any way please contact 4Pawz&More
Rescue:
Donations
can be made via 
PayPal
or cheques can be made payable to '4Pawz&More Rescue'.
Please contact 4Pawz&More for the address to send your
cheque to. Thanks.
Tel:
07951 769 118 / 01732 840 779
fourpawzandmore@aol.com |
| *
The Zippy & Friends Fund is named in such a way that if
more money is raised than is needed for Zippy's care or if
anything should happen to Zippy before the funds can be used
to help him, the money raised can be used to help other dogs
in their care. |
|
Zippy
Poster
If you would like to help raise awareness of Zippy's plight
then print off this Zippy
poster and put it on the office pinboard, on the wall
of the town hall, the supermarket notice board, the corner
shop window, or anywhere you think it will get seen. Thank
you. |
|
| Zippy
is on crate rest at the moment but he is such a lively little lad,
he doesn't realise he can't do all the things the other dogs can
do. If he wasn't on crate rest, Zippy could do more damage to himself
while he awaits his operation. |
 |
"Zippy
just hates being left behind when I take the other dogs out
for their walks so we have special brush and cuddle times
when I get home, with some scrummy treats to follow, of course"
says Stephanie.
"It is heart breaking looking at Zippy, knowing what
this poor lad has been through and yet he has so much love
to give". |
|
|
