Monika, a Russian rescue dog, has defied doctor recommendations of euthanasia. After having all four legs amputated, one can almost understand such a conclusion.
But Monika was determined to survive and now sports four brand new, titanium prosthetic legs.
Veterinarian Sergei Gorshkov took on the task of giving this dog new limbs and a new life!
Monika’s Survivor Story
Monika was rescued in the small Russian town of Plastunovskaya, Russia, says People. All four of her paws bore severe injuries, so she was brought in for care.
Unfortunately, Monika’s injuries weren’t treatable — at least, not in any way where she would be able to keep her legs. She was transferred to Krasnodar, where doctors performed a blood transfusion, then amputated her legs.
Marina Gapich and Alla Leonkina, shelter workers, ended up caring for the pup. Not knowing what to do, they began seeking recommendations for how to continue caring for her well-being. Most vets simply said to put the poor pup down, except one.
Extreme Cases Call For Extreme Doctors
The women were told of Sergei Gorshkov, a Novosibirsk-based veterinarian. Since 2015, Gorshkov has performed over 37 surgeries, providing prosthetic legs to animals. Monika, however, would be his first dog patient, and the surgery was $5,400.
Believing Monika to be worth every penny, Gapich and Leonkina raised the funds and enlisted Gorshkov’s help. In the end, he not only saved the pup’s life but gave her a new one.
Gorshkov admits, though, that he wasn’t quite sure what to be optimistic about. Would she be able to lead a normal life, as a dog should? He says that he is “shocked” at how quickly she responded to her new legs.
“On the third day, she started standing up and walking around the clinic, going from room to room,” Gorshkov said. “I’m happy to give a new life to the animals.”
“People find some consolation in animals, and so by treating animals, I treat people,” he added.
Where Will These Prosthetic Legs Take Monika?
For now, Monika will begin working with a London-based animal behaviorist to sort through the traumatic events leading up to her new legs.
Whether she’ll make for a loving companion doesn’t seem to be the question, whatsoever. All the effort will go into finding the right family for her, more than the other way around.
Preferably, she’ll find a family that will understand, love, and be well prepared to care for such an extraordinary canine.
If your dog has trouble with mobility like Monika, then you should take a trip to your vet, and see what they can do. Your dog might also benefit from a wheelchair, and DogTime has a full guide to wheelchairs for dogs here!
What do you think of Monika’s journey? Did you know that a dog could heal and live a normal life with prosthetic legs? Let us know in the comments below.
