About Coal

In May we were at Cedar Rapids Animal Care and Control signing out a dog to get her into a foster home. A couple pulled up and got an emaciated dog out of their car. He was covered in scabs and wounds and was carrying his back left leg. They couple said he had been loose in their neighborhood for weeks and they had not been able to catch him until now. We could not stop thinking about him so as soon as his stray hold was up, we were back to get him out. We named him Coal and headed straight to the vet with him. Coal had a full exam, bloodwork, x-rays, and a heartworm test. He weighed just 32 pounds and was about 9 months old. We weren't even sure what breed he was because all we could see were bones. His body condition score was 2/9 and his temperature was 104. Coal's bloodwork showed he was anemic and was in poor condition. He had a raging urinary tract infection. X-rays revealed Coal had likely been hit by a car, his left hip had been broken at some point and healed badly. The joint stuck up above his backbone and was painful. At this point he was in no condition to undergo surgery. We started him on some antibiotics to fight the infections and help his body heal the wounds. Coal started a regimented refeeding program. With care and regular meals Coal thrived. At the end of June he was healthy enough for surgery and had a femoral head ostectomy on his left back leg. His fractured femoral head and neck were removed, and Coal's body formed a false joint. As Coal healed we noticed he windmilled his front legs when he runs. He was ataxic and lacked coordination. Coal went to the University of Wisconsin and saw the Neurology team. They suspected Coal might have a lesion on his spine causing his lack of coordination and windmilling. Coal had an MRI and Spinal Tap, both were normal. We don't know why Coal runs and moves differently than a normal dog. Coal still favors his left rear leg and probably always will. Coal was checked by the Orthopedic department at the University of Wisconsin to make sure he was completely healed and didn't need a revision surgery. Nine months into Coal's journey he is ready to find his forever home. Coal is now a handsome 18 month old, 60 pound Pit Bull mix. He lives with other dogs at his foster home but does have to be protected from being knocked into. Occasionally he takes Carprofen or Gabapentin for pain in his hip where the FHO surgery was done. Coal is a special needs dog but his needs are not difficult to meet. Walks are great for building up Coal's leg muscles teaching him to trust his leg again. Because he is a neuro dog he would enjoy a quiet home without a lot of stimulation. Coal is neutered, up to date on vaccinations, heartworm tested, and microchipped. He requires a physically fenced yard to run and play safely. If you would like to meet Coal, please complete the adoption application on our website: furfunrescue.org. If you have any questions about Coal you can email [email protected] or call 319-929-6657. Adoption fee: $250.00 Indoor homes only. Adopters must be in a 2 hour radius of Cedar Rapids, IA

Linn County
Lisbon, Iowa 52253