Help Eddie with a leg
Talks with Animal Care Division have revealed that Eddie’s prosthetic will cost ... well ... a leg and a leg for the small veterinary clinic which rescued him.
It is going to cost the owners of a two-legged dog between R15 000 and R20 000 to receive a prosthetic front leg.
In June last year, The Citizen reported on the survival story of the two-legged dog found by good Samaritans and handed over to North West-based Avontuur Veterinary Services.
Now named Edison, or “Eddie” for short, the dog was found lying next to a train track in Groot Marico in May last year. His right front and left hind legs were crushed, and he was severely malnourished, Avontuur Vet’s Sanlie van den Brink recalled.
Euthanasia was an option, but the team of veterinarians refused to give up.
Once his surgery to remove his two legs was successful, Sanlie and veterinarian Lizahn van den Brink took Eddie in to recover. They soon fell in love with him and he is now their pet, along with another dog with only three legs.
When The Citizen spoke to Van den Brink, she said Avontuur Vet was in talks with Animal Care Division to organise a brace to support Eddie’s front leg.
“The front leg is the most important leg to support since that is where he carries most of his weight,” she said.
“Eddie is doing extremely well. He loves his afternoon walks where he can run endlessly and chase birds. He even started swimming by himself.”
But he does tire faster than other dogs, on account of him supporting his full weight with only two legs.
The Van den Brinks are hopeful that the prosthetic leg will help ease his fatigue.
“Eddie is an attention freak and loves cuddles. He is the sweetest thing, despite everything that he has been through. He also loves car rides.”
If you would like to help Eddie live as close to a normal life as possible with (at least) three legs, check out Avontuur Vet’s Facebook page, or contact Sanlie on 018-061-0021 or 015-023-0030.