When the San Francisco SPCA Shelter Medicine veterinarians get to work each day, it\u2019s with a tireless spirit and a dedication to saving lives. This is part of what makes them such valuable assets to our medical team. And when animals like one-year-old Cricket arrive in our shelter requiring above-and-beyond care, it\u2019s what makes them heroes.<\/p>\n
\u201cCricket had special needs that were beyond the scope of the average shelter patient,\u201d said Dr. Orsolya Kuti, who was part of Cricket\u2019s care team. \u201cHer congenital abnormalities are rare and could not be treated with the equipment we had in house.\u201d<\/p>\n
This was because the young pit bull was born with front legs that bent inward at the joint, making it nearly impossible for her to walk.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn addition to being examined by SF SPCA Shelter Medicine veterinarians, Cricket was assessed by a boarded surgeon as well as a boarded rehabilitation specialist in order to formulate a diagnosis and treatment plan,\u201d explained Dr. Kuti.<\/p>\n
When it came to getting Cricket the care she needed, the question was not\u00a0if\u00a0<\/em>we could provide it, the question was how we would ensure it. Thanks to the support of generous donors, our veterinarians are able to provide the highest quality medical treatments, even in cases of tremendous need. For Cricket, that meant custom orthotic braces requiring months of preparation.<\/p>\n Part of Cricket\u2019s treatment also required innovative problem-solving as she arrived just as the COVID-19 pandemic was taking hold of the world. She, along with all of the SF SPCA shelter animals, needed a safe foster home and she needed it in record time.<\/p>\n Fortunately, foster volunteer Alicia Walton was ready to open her heart and her home. For two months, Alicia worked with Cricket to prepare her for custom orthotics with fitting appointments as well as behavior and training sessions. They also spent time playing together while Cricket got accustomed to the booties that would soon be replaced by permanent braces.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was really fun to watch her grow and change in different ways throughout the first few months,\u201d Alicia said. \u201cTo watch her grow and learn and experience new things was awesome. I think one of the most exciting things that happened while we were fostering was the first time she finally learned \u2018shake.\u2019 I wasn\u2019t sure if she was going to be able to do it, but she figured it out. Now she\u2019s a master shaker with both paws!\u201d<\/p>\n By early May, Alicia decided to make Cricket part of her forever family. In the following weeks, Cricket not only learned to walk, but run and jump!<\/p>\n For the Shelter Medicine team, Cricket\u2019s story is part of a collaborative success.<\/p>\n Dr. Kuti said, \u201cThe SF SPCA Shelter Medicine department has funding that allows us to pursue treatments that are beyond the budget of many shelters. Lots of people were involved in Cricket\u2019s care. This treatment was the end result of countless hours of medical, behavioral, and foster team work.\u201d<\/p>\n Alicia is also thrilled with Cricket\u2019s progress.<\/p>\n \u201cOn the third day she had her braces, we went to visit some friends who have a pitty and that\u2019s when she really \u2018got it,\u2019\u201d said Alicia. \u201cThey were playing and running and you could tell she got to be a puppy for the first time ever. It was like she realized how much more she could do now than she could before her orthotics. Now she has more confidence and definitely likes to be the leader of the pack.\u201d<\/p>\n