03/10/2021
The tale of Hazel the German shepherd.
This story is about how what is deemed impossible can be possible, and with the right care and effort, the ill-fated can heal and thrive.
It began with a routine checkup on a litter of puppies about 2 months old available for sale. All seemed in decent condition apart from one. This one female puppy was the runt of the litter; small, malnourished, lethargic, and shy. The owner was given advice on how to care for her and time passed on. Sometime later, a family came in asking if there were any puppies available for sale, and were given the choice between two puppies; a healthy female puppy, or the puppy with health problems that was previously mentioned. The condition of the puppy was explained along with the treatment needed. With some consideration, they decided to choose the ill puppy, named her Hazel and gave her a second chance in a loving home.
Hazel had a condition called hip dysplasia. This is when the hip joint is malformed during growth, making the joint loose in the hip socket, which can cause inflammation. When Hazel first arrived it was discovered that her hip and elbow joints were severely inflamed from this condition, therefore leaving her almost completely unable to walk. She was put through multiple treatment courses with our clinic, as well as supplements and an exercise schedule for physical rehabilitation.
After 3 months of physical therapy and care, combined with the correct treatment and good food, Hazel went from barely able to walk to running and jumping at full speed! Watch the video below to see her amazing recovery.