In the game of poker that is life, Bella, the shelter puppy, was dealt some unfortunate cards.
Yet, she remained determined to secure a victory.
In the lengthy history of a Wisconsin shelter, this little pup stands out as the first – if not the only – one they’ve encountered with such a condition.
Bella, however, didn’t let that define her.
Instead, it made her even cooler.
This unique trait granted her the determination to go the extra mile and put her heart on the line for a potential forever family.
What Does She Have?
The name of her condition? Dimelia.
Staff at the Wisconsin Humane Society were taken aback when they first saw Bella.
No one at the shelter remembered encountering a pup quite like her.
While it’s not uncommon for dogs to lose a leg or two due to accidents or poor breeding practices, a pup with five legs? That’s a real rarity.
Upon her arrival at the shelter, the veterinarians confirmed her diagnosis. Dimelia resulted in Bella having an extra bone and nine toes on one of her hind legs, earning her the title of the dog with five legs.
“We were all astonished, just as you probably are, when we saw the X-rays! Bella, a six-month-old puppy, has dimelia, an exceptionally rare congenital condition characterized by bone duplication. Essentially, it’s like an additional leg within her right hind leg. A typical canine hind leg comprises one femur, one tibia, one fibula, and 4-5 toes,” stated the organization in a Facebook post.
“X-rays of the affected leg indicated that Bella seems to possess an extra femur, two tibias, two fibulas, and nine toes on her rear paw. This is the first case of dimelia we’ve encountered in our organization’s history, and to our knowledge, she’s among the *very* few documented cases of dimelia in a dog – ever,” they added.
Isn’t that quite extraordinary? Imagine how Bella, being the only known dog of her kind, feels!
Luckily, for this lovely girl, dimelia does not hinder her mobility.
For dogs affected by dimelia, if the condition doesn’t impact their comfort or mobility, no intervention is typically necessary. However, some experts suggest more drastic options like amputation if the condition causes daily difficulties.
Bella thoroughly enjoys her walks! She’s full of energy, loves to frolic, play, and is just a joyful pup overall.
Where Is My Forever Human?
At the Kenosha Campus, where Bella is currently housed, everyone believes she’ll find her forever family soon.
However, a unique dog like Bella needs an equally special owner. While you might adore dogs and wish to adopt, it’s essential to recognize that a pup like Bella requires ongoing medical care.
Bella’s flipper-like hind leg might not pose issues right now, but it’s bound to create challenges as she grows older. Senior dogs frequently deal with joint mobility issues and deteriorating cartilage. Just think about how a dog with dimelia would fare trying to run a few years down the line.
Many individuals unknowingly suffer from the phenomenon known as the savior complex. It’s crucial to understand that not every dog can be rescued. A single person can’t save them all.
Yes, Bella is a fantastic dog, and no one disputes that. However, potential owners should be prepared for significant medical expenses. Bringing a dog into your home is a lifelong responsibility, not just a hobby.
If you’re considering adopting a dog for fun but aren’t ready to handle situations involving long-term health challenges, mobility concerns, high medical costs, or constant care, please refrain from adopting.
The Wisconsin Humane Society has many dogs in need of loving homes.
If you are a responsible adopter and prospective dog owner, we encourage you to visit them.
Bella is seeking her human.
Could you be the one?
References:
|1| J. Kim , W. E. Blevins , G. J. Breur. Morphological and functional evaluation of a dog with dimelia. 2006. DOI
