Precious’s name is more than just a word—it’s a testament to the resilience of her spirit. At just five years old, this beautiful Cocker Spaniel has endured more pain and neglect than most dogs could imagine. But through it all, her gentle soul shines brightly, and she’s finally within reach of the care and love she deserves.
Precious’s story began when she was given as a puppy to an elderly couple who were unable to meet her needs. Confined to a diaper, yelled at when she cried to go outside, and left unbathed and unloved, Precious’s life was filled with loneliness and physical suffering. Over time, she developed severe neurological and orthopedic issues, leaving her mostly paralyzed in her hind legs. Her only way of moving was by pulling herself along with her front paws.
When she was finally rescued, Precious’s agony was visible in her eyes. Urine burns from her diaper, matted fur, and an aching body told the heartbreaking tale of her neglect. But in foster care, a glimmer of hope emerged. For the first time in her life, Precious began to feel what it’s like to be truly loved.
Despite her rescuer's tireless efforts, Precious faces monumental challenges. She needs extensive medical care, including hip replacements, treatment for a suspected herniated disc, and surgery for her luxating patella. An MRI alone costs thousands of dollars, and her total medical expenses could exceed $20,000. Yet, these treatments could give Precious the chance to walk, play, and live a pain-free life—a chance every dog deserves.
We’ve already begun working with veterinary specialists to craft a plan for Precious. But we can’t do it without your help. Precious’s journey to recovery will require more than just medical expertise; it will take a community coming together to show her that her life matters.
Precious’s story is one of heartbreak, but it can also be one of triumph. Let’s work together to turn her tale of neglect into a story of hope and healing. Will you join us in making her miracle possible?
Stay tuned for updates on Precious’s progress during our “12 Days of Cocker Spaniel Love” campaign, starting November 29th. Follow her journey through daily posts, photos, and videos that will showcase her courage and the impact of your generosity.
December 4th TRIP TO CSU for a consult
An appointment was made at the CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Ft. Collins to have her looked at by Orthopedics, Neurology and Ophthalmology. Her foster knew it would be an all day event but felt it would be the best way to get her looked at in a timely manner.
Ophthalmology - intraocular pressure was measured in both eyes. The right high was a little on the high side at 28mmHg. Normal range is between 10 and 25 mmHg. So, Precious will be on eye drops to keep that pressure down so as to not cause her any problems.
Neurology - Precious received a full Neurological evaluation to determine the source of her weak limbs. It is felt that everything related to her discomfort and posture is being caused by her hips. This is very helpful information because we now know what to do next.
Orthopedic-During her exam with Ortho she was given a full evaluation. The muscles in Precious' hind legs have atrophied. Her hips are horribly arthritic and both femurs are displaced (dysplasia). It was agreed that she would be a candidate for Total Hip Replacement (THR). Unfortunately, CSU works mostly on larger dogs and they do not carry the prosthetic kits. So, Precious was referred to an Orthopedic office in Centennial.
The upper radiograph shows what normal, healthy hips look like. The femoral head (ball) is nicely shaped and seated within the acetabulum (socket). The lower radiograph is of Precious' hips. The acetabulum is badly worn and the femoral head looks like cauliflower. This is a result of osteoarthritis. You can also see that both femoral heads are no longer seated in the acetabulum (hip dysplasia). This is a painful and crippling condition.
This graphic shows a normal hip joint on the left and how the joint wears over time allowing the femur to "displace". When a THR is performed, the femoral head is removed from the femur and a prosthetic "head" is inserted. The Acetabulum or socket receives a new cup.
The prosthetic kits come in a range of sizes. The image above is from the manufacturer's website. The femoral stem and the acetabular cup are coated with a mineral that promotes bone growth. The cups are press-fit and do not require any sort of bone cement. The holes in the cup are for bone to grow into, locking the cup to the worn Acetabulum. The femoral stems are held in place with the pink screws. Bone will adhere to these as well.
This picture shows the prosthetics as they would be after the surgery. Patients typically can walk out on their own, but their activity should be limited.
This radiograph shows what a completed replacement should look like. The prosthetics in the radiograph are from a different manufacturer
