Busta the eight-month-old puppy from Wixams might be blind but he’s never let that stop him from living life to the full. Unfortunately, Busta’s knees are another matter and he now needs an operation to help him walk properly again.
Earlier this month, Busta the “staffy cross, mystery pup” became in his back legs. After a referral to specialist orthopaedic vets, it was found he has a ruptured cruciate ligament in one knee and a lot of degenerative damage to the other back knee.
The treatment is similar to ACL surgery, which a human would receive if they were to have similar knee problems. In dogs it’s called, Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (TPLO) surgery and is normally only necessary for older dogs after lots of wear and tear.
So, like Busta himself, the situation is quite unique.
Busta’s mum Gemma Lloyd is a dog walker and says he has made lots of doggy friends, but right now can’t go on walks with her and can’t play with them, something that is vitally important to a young dog’s development.
What’s more, while humans would receive an ACL on the NHS, the veterinary bill for a TPLO costs thousands of pounds.
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The Lloyds do have pet insurance but their allowance has now been used up so family savings, including Busta’s human brother Liam emptying his money box, and a donation from a family member have paid for Busta’s first operation.
But they’re now struggling to find funds for a second operation.
“We’re relying on the kindness of friends, family and strangers to make sure Busta has both surgeries and can return to being the happy pup we know and love,” said dog mum, Gemma.
So far their GoFundMe appeal has reached the halfway mark for the £4,000 they need to help Busta.
“We’re putting in a lot of work to make sure he recovers as well as possible, hydrotherapy for rehabilitation and so many adaptations around the house but he is worth every single sacrifice,” adds Gemma.
If any of Bedford Independent’s dog-loving readers would also like to donate, they can do so at GoFundMe.com.
You can also follow Busta’s progress on Facebook and Instagram.
