Rescue & Adoptions

Healthcare with Heart Stories

Helping Large Animals Cope with the Loss of a Limb

In 1999, Forrest was rescued from a wool ranch where he had suffered a broken leg as a young lamb. Considered a liability by his "owners" because of his crippling injury, he was discarded like trash in an empty pasture, and left to die. The wool ranchers knew Forrest's injury would require costly veterinary attention and many long months of rehabilitative care to repair, and they were simply unwilling to invest the time and money necessary to save the tiny lamb's life.

Here at Farm Sanctuary, we didn't give a second thought to the amount of money it would cost to help Forrest heal. As soon as he arrived at our California Shelter, he began receiving round-the-clock care. Caregivers splinted and wrapped his injured left hind leg in hopes of repairing the break. Despite their efforts, however, Forrest's leg eventually required surgery. After surgery failed to correct the problem, doctors told us that Forrest's leg could not be salvaged. They said the damage was just too severe. When the doctors told us that amputation was the only option left, we agreed to the procedure.

For several years now, Forrest has lived a happy and active life despite the loss of one of his limbs. He has, however, experienced some difficulty with his remaining legs. The amputation of his left hind leg put added weight and strain on his other limbs. His right front leg in particular was affected by the added weight, and began to bow inward within months of his surgery. Over the years, caregivers have tried many different treatments to improve Forrest's gait and strengthen his legs, including dietary supplements, vitamin injections, and medications designed to toughen up bones and joints. They even purchased Forrest a cart to see if it would help him get around more easily. These efforts provided Forrest with a great deal of comfort and physical support, but unfortunately, they did not prevent his right front leg from continuing to bend.

Dedicated to finding a way to prevent further degeneration in Forrest's right front leg, we called a certified orthotist out to the farm. He went to work right away, using a plastic mold of the leg to create a sturdy mechanical brace designed specifically for Forrest. Relying on his extensive experience working with llamas, horses, cats, dogs, and human patients, the orthotist created a high-tech brace that will allow Forrest full range of motion but will prevent the bones in his leg from bending inward any further. Caregivers watched closely as the orthotist put the brace on Forrest's leg for the first time. Then they started to smile, as Forrest began walking and even jogging on the brace right away. He exhibited a healthy curiosity in the device, but did not seem overly disturbed by it.

We are hopeful that Forrest's new brace will improve his overall quality of life. For now, he will wear the brace for a few hours each day until he gets used to it. Caregivers will slowly increase the number of hours Forrest wears the brace until eventually he will be able to wear the device all day. We will, of course, closely monitor Forrest for any signs of discomfort or distress. Hopefully, by shoring up his leg with the new device, we have increased his chances of remaining healthy, happy, and fully mobile for many long years to come.