This is Carter. He was caught up in the middle of a land dispute that culminated in one party having Carter’s back feet almost severed with a machete as a warning to his owners.
Left alone to fend for himself, Carter was fortunate to be spotted by a caring neighbour who called in Animals Taiwan, who immediately came to pick up the poor dog, who’s legs were atrophied and feet severely infected.
Weak and no longer wanting to eat, Carter literally gave himself to his rescuers, and allowed us to move him to a vet for emergency treatment without even a hint of protest.
Sadly, after second and third veterinary opinions, it’s clear that Carter must have both back legs amputated.
He was becoming anaemic and weaker by the minute, so he was rushed to a Dr Chen on Chang An E. Rd, a vet who we knew had the expertise to perform the difficult operation. Both legs will be removed at the hip; experience has shown us that leaving a stump with double-rear-leg amputations just creates more problems later, as the stumps tend to scrape on the ground, causing infection.
At the time of writing and posting these images, Carter was going under anaesthetic. We all have our fingers crossed that the operations to remove the first leg goes well.
Carter will need extensive care after surgery and then a wheelchair to enable him to go on walks, but he will be able to get around using only his front two legs if our other two rear-leg amputees are anything to go by.
Please, if you would like to contribute towards the costs of Carter’s surgery, care, and wheelchair, go to donations@animalstaiwan.org for more information.
Our previous two rear-leg amputees both got adopted and are living happily and healthily in their new homes. We expect the same for Carter. We never put an animal to sleep unless their suffering is great and likely never to end.
We hope to regularly post more images of Carter on his road to recovery.
Thank you.
Sean