ivy

FURBASSADOR PROFILE

SIZE 1

 

LAST SEEN

 

PERSONAL DETAILS

AGENT NAME: Ivy

ALIAS(ES): The Tomboy

DOB: October 21, 2020

GENDER:  Female

BREED:  Miniature American Shepherd

SIBLING:  Mini Me aka My Personal Minion

 

PERSONAL TRAITS

COAT COLOR:  Tri-color

EYE COLOR:  Brown

WEIGHT:  19 pounds

BUILD:  Toned/small breed

SIZE ZONE:  1

SPECIAL MARKS: Wiggle butt

 

AGENT PROFILE

Agent Ivy was brought home by her handler (code name: “Mom Terrie”) when she was 8 weeks old. Mom is a human physical therapist and started to notice Ivy’s intermittent limping and occasional clicking hips. She was proactive with the veterinary community at large to manage Ivy’s orthopedic issues – refer to agent’s health history for medical diagnosis and treatment. In spite of these early signs, Mom did not disengage and continued to prime Ivy for her role as a Furbassador.

We can neither confirm nor deny the regular “medical visits” did not also include agent training. Suffice it to say Agent was selected at a very young age, and despite any medical setbacks, her resilience and youthful energy make her a powerful asset for the Furbassador Program.

We have high expectations for her to achieve all of her missions. It is a formidable tool to be able to use her magical puppy eyes to extricate herself from tight situations or when her cover is compromised.

 

 

health history

  • 7 months old: First felt clicking of right hip when picking up Ivy.
  • 8 months old: Began to notice slight right hind lameness with occasional avoidance of weight bearing on R hind limb. Bilateral hip dysplasia confirmed by x-ray. Prescribed carprofen and Dasuquin.
  • 10 months old: Left hip luxation (confirmed from radiographs) as a result of accident with gate. Non weight bearing on L hind limb. Prescribed Gabapentin and began using K9 HipLign™. Activity restrictions consisted of controlled leash walks and confinement during most of the day.
  • 11 months old: Seen at a university veterinary orthopedic service and recommended continuing with conservative management secondary to her  significant improvement with activity restriction and K9 HipLign™. Also to continue medication and come back for monthly rechecks.
  • 1 year old. Left total hip replacement (THR) performed, followed by prolonged rehabilitation and regular follow ups with surgeon.
  • 1.5 yrs old: Total return to activities with no issues.
  • 2 years old/Nov. 2022: Noticed occasional hind limb lameness but unable to determine which limb and suspected that it was time to reevaluate right hind limb.
  • Dec. 2022: Recheck at local veterinarian showed changes in total hip that were concerning.
  • Jan. 2023: Diagnosis of L acetabular fracture with evidence of healing. Medically managed with activity restriction and monthly recheck through May 2023.
  • May 2023: Surgery to remove implants when it was discovered fracture of acetabular cup and loosening of femoral implants on left, which essentially resulted in a Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO).
  • May 2023: Began structured rehabilitation and return to use of K9 HipLign™. Was still on restricted activities until discharge from rehabilitation in October 2023.
  • Jan. 2024: Ivy continues to use the K9 HipLign™ when outside with free activities in a large fenced area for support.

 

SPECIAL SKILLS

 

  • Excellent with chores around the farm.
  • Herding skills extraordinaire.
  • Natural born undercover agent.

THE ASSIGNMENT

Agent Ivy’s furbasssador role is to represent the population of post-surgery dogs using the K9 HipLign™ as a rehabilitation tool. She shows the world how an active lifestyle, and quality of life, can co-exist with a difficult diagnosis. 

She lives up to her moniker of Tiny but Mighty.  She is an energizer bunny trapped in a small dog’s body, unencumbered by her young yet complex medical history. 

Contact us

P:  (213) 927-6663

E:  Contact@k9motion.com

W: K9motion.com