We’re sure a lot of you will remember, Winston who came to us just over 18 months ago, in the middle of covid.
He was 6 months old nearly 7 months when he arrived in foster. When we first saw him at home Winston couldn’t walk.
When Winston first arrived
He had a vet visit who referred him to the specialist AVR up in the north east of Scotland. He had to have x-rays and MRI’s done straightaway to see why Winston couldn’t walk, if all legs were very bad then the best thing for him may be to make the decision to have Winston put to sleep.
Good news and bad news, he has nothing wrong with his back legs but both front ones were broken. That’s why he won’t walk; also his tail was broken.
We were then told left front leg was inoperable but can be amputated, also his tail may need amputation as well. His other front leg could be operated on, as its not gone as far as the other front leg.
We had to take him walking on his two back legs to strengthen the back legs as he had never walked on them.
Such weak legs he could barly support himself
He then had his operation in May 2021 in where he had metal work put in and his bone was shortened.
You may recall his updates on our fundraising page over the months.
Amputation was still on the table for his front left and his tail, it all depended on how Winston reacted to rehabilitation.
Winston’s X-Rays and Scans
Loving the AVR Staff attention after his surgery
Winston’s scar following surgery
Now rehabilitation, he wasn’t allowed to walk on his front legs and was put on crate rest for weeks and weeks.
He had a buggy and a playpen which were invaluable, for his rehabilitation. All bought by BRNGB donations. He still uses both when needed.
He was also walked in a sling to take the pressure off his front legs.
Winston started hydrotherapy and physiotherapy and these were twice a week as soon as he was able to after his surgery. We have recently dropped the hydrotherapy as he has started walking on his own once the strength was increased in his legs from hydrotherapy.
He was signed off from the specialists in July 2022, hydrotherapy has ended, but physio will be needed for his lifetime.
Winston still struggles with walking/running and he defaults into a forward roll if he falls over.
He still has to be carried down stairs. Easy when he was a pup but he is currently 28kg and is a very big lad and long.
The one thing in Winston’s favour is his character and his loving ways. He is just a lump of love. Everyone falls in love with him.
Winson is now 2 years and 3 months old, his rehab has taken 18 months to get him to the stage he is now at.
Because of his ailments, Winston was never a “normal” puppy and he lost his puppyhood. He found ways to amuse and comfort himself, which includes sucking and carrying his ear around in his mouth. He also enjoyed his new water bowl, a horse bucket that he could dunk his whole head into and blow bubbles!
Winston went to puppy school at 2 years old and is still learning things that a 4 month old puppy should be doing now.
Winston’s Happy Ever After
All in all Winston’s treatment cost in the region of £6000.00, all donated by you our wonderful supporters. This mean that Winston can now live a life that all Bassets should.
He will need constant medical intervention, therapy and potentially further surgery.
As none of his conditions will ever be covered by insurance together with his on-going care and treatments costs, Winston would be incredibly hard to adopt. Apparently however that was never going to happen anyway because his foster family, after spending so much time and energy to get Winston to where he is, just cannot let him go!
We are so pleased to announce Winston now has his forever home with his foster family, with lifetime support from us all.
Without you wonderful folks, Winston probably wouldn’t be here today to celebrate his Pink Sofa!
Congratulations Winston and thank you everyone who helped to get him to where he is today!
#nobassetgetsforgotten
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