Go Fund Me page set up to get prosthetic for lamb
Frankie the Lamb has captured hearts with her resilience and spirit. Despite facing challenges due to a missing part of her hoof, she remains full of life, and her owner needs financial support to help her to get moving.
Frankie is a two-year-old lamb missing about two inches off her front leg, which causes a unique challenge.
Irene Wallace, her owner explained Frankie needs a prosthetic limb so she can walk freely on the farm and keep up with her siblings, Purrsephanie and Meowlody.
“Their former owner’s daughter named them (the lambs) after Monster High characters,” said Wallace.
When Frankie was with her original owner, she injured her leg in an accident, which required part of it to be amputated.
Frankie’s little limb impacts the quality of her life.
“When the other lambs go roam around the pasture, Frankie gets left behind,” Wallace said.
Wallace often sees Frankie lying down to eat instead of grazing around the yard.
“She really can’t weight bear on the stump,”
Wallace and Frankie’s veterinary staff at the Beausejour Animal Hospital are concerned about Frankie’s well-being if she continues to walk off balance.
“Her left leg is going to give out,” added Wallace.
Since Frankie’s left leg is bearing all her weight, there are future concerns for stress fractures or sprains in her healthy limb.
Veterinarian Dr. Brittney Derksen made a cast, but it is difficult to create a cast that will withstand outdoor use. Frankie needs a permanent solution to improve her quality of life.
Having a prosthetic limb would be a long-term solution to preventing future injuries.
“I’ve never seen an animal with a prosthetic limb before,” said Wallace.
She did not know where to look for an animal prosthetic or how to begin the process.
Wallace called several veterinary clinics in Manitoba but was unsuccessful until speaking with North Forge Technology Exchange and Winnipeg Orthotics.
The two companies are trying to collaborate to create a prosthetic limb for Frankie.
Neither of the companies has experience with working with animals, especially sheep.
Wallace eventually found Animal Orthotics and Prosthetics specialist Dr. Susan Calverley.
Dr. Calverley practices in British Columbia but grew up in Winnipeg and has created prosthetics for over 500 animals. She has experience with pets and farm animals including a llama.
Wallace explained that Dr. Calverley is working with a new prosthetic material that is soft and pliable, allowing for maximum comfort for the animal.
Dr. Calverley is very good at what she does, added Wallace.
A mould of Frankie’s leg needs to be made to produce the prosthetic.
Dr. Derksen and Dr. Calverley collaborated to obtain a mould of Frankie’s leg.
The total cost is estimated to be $2,500, and Wallace is seeking donations to help cover the fees.
“Frankie is such a sweet girl and I want to make her life so much better,” said Wallace.
You can help Frankie get a step on in life by donating to her GoFundMe page at Help Frankie the Sheep Walk Again!.
Wallace is also accepting on-hand cash donations.
“I have raised almost $1,000 for my girl,” added Wallace.
Any extra funds received will be donated to the local horse rescue, Blackbird Ranch.
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