Chance

Chance is making REMARKABLE progress in his foster dad's care. Please look at the position of his legs in the following pictures and compare them to previous pictures.

Chance has an amazing outlook on life, a determination we should all have!



Very food motivated!







Talking to one of his foster brothers-

Please visit the link below to see the wonderful progress Chance is making, thanks to his awesome foster dad! http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w46/hogpr/?action=view&current=007-2-1.flv

Chance enjoys his baths, here he is singing to his foster dad after bath time-

I received the summary of Chance's exam from 6/20 today.

Written by Dr. Bohling-

On June 20, 2008 Chance was see for evaluation of gait and conformational abnormalities consisting of hyperextisibility of the hock, stifle, and carpi. My orthopedic examination concurred with Dr. Bearden's and I did dot find any additional abnormalities worthy of note.

Inspection of the radiographs did not reveal cause for the abnormalities, not did I find any surgical condition to treat. I suspect that Chance may be suffering from a collagen defect causing lax ligaments and tendons, or perhaps some other congenital defect.

I did not give the owners (foster) an overly rosy prognosis, but I did tell them that some pups may improve with time. The owners (foster) are very eager to try everything they can, and already have some good ideas regarding physical therapy, so I encouraged them to give it a try for a while and see how it goes.

Mark Boling, DVM, PhD, DACVS

Assistant Professor of Surgery

The University of TN

College of Veterinary Medicine

Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences

Knoxville, TN 37966-4544

6/21/08

Chance was examined yesterday by the orthopedic specialist. According to the specialist, at this time he does not recommend surgery- there is no one surgery to correct all the problems Chance has. He explained Chance's joints as being near "rubbery" and that instead of bending one direction only to a certain extent, his joints go way past that bending point, and in the opposite direction.





He recommends we give Chance time, lots of good nutrition, therapy and exercise. Chance's foster dad is going to make a cart for Chance to get around in, it will allow him to hold his back legs up. Chance will do swimming/water therapy and the specialist wants him walking on a treadmill, suspended so that he can work at his own pace and get try to get used to using his back legs.

Today Chance was seen using his back legs when he used the bathroom, he actually propped himself up on them so we are hoping and praying that with the work and time, he will regain the strength he needs to use them.

Chance is thriving in his foster care, and will receive the therapy, care, and love he needs. Once he is ready, he will be available for adoption.





I will keep everyone updated, please email me if you have any questions.

For the newest (and all) pictures of Chance, please visit-

http://www.slide.com/r/QO-kzRci5T_02LOxmk-r07I17BXd70di?previous_view=lt_embedded_url

Chance is settling in wonderfully in in his foster home, his foster dad works from home and is able to give Chance the time and care he needs. Chance is doing great with the other dogs in the home, and is being a good boy!

To see an updated video of Chance, please visit-

http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w46/hogpr/?action=view&current=001-1.flv

Here is Chance with one of his foster siblings, Mr. Bishop. Thank you Mr. Bishop for being such a good sport and being so gentle with Chance!

Chance was examined by Dr. troy Bearden of Shallowford Animal Hospital today.

Dr. Bearden sheduled an appointment for Chance to see Fr. Weigle, an orthopedic specialist this Friday, June 20 at 9:45 am.

Per Dr. Bearden's exam-

Chance has hyperextension of his stifles ans hocks. His patellas are in place, therefore, the cause of this is not related to patella deformity. Chance also has bilateral carpal hyperextension causing him to walk on his carpal pads.

Chance has decrease proprioception to his rear legs. Chances pain response to toe-pinch in his rear legs was very depressed to almost absent. There was some withdrawal mostly due to reflex response.

June 10/2008-

Chance was found by a couple in Chattanooga, actually he was found by their dog...the family dog alerted them to something on the property, and when the husband climbed down the 15 ft drop off, he found Chance.

I met Chance today and he is such a lover-you would never know he isn't normal by his attitude. He does his best to scoot around, he plays, nibbles and gives puppy kisses galore.

Chance is approximately ten weeks old and has a rare developmental problem-his knees are formed outwards at a 90 degree angle. X-rays were done and his problem is NOT neurological, it is NOT a birth defect and it CAN be corrected.

Chance needs to see an orthopedic vet asap to determine the exact method of surgery he needs-the vet that saw Chance says this problem is so rare she will not attemp the surgery but feels 100% sure that if Chance gets the surgery he needs he WILL be normal after a 6-8 week recovery period.

Other than his developmental problem in his back legs, Chance is perfectly healthy and will be wormed & vaccinated tomorrow.

I am looking for a possible foster home for Chance and for any and all suggestions to help get Chance the surgery he needs.

*Email mastiffsj@yahoo.com for more pictures & videos of Chance.