Ariel, the six-legged puppy discovered abandoned in a Pembrokeshire, Wales supermarket car park, has undergone a transformative surgery to remove her extra limbs. The global community of well-wishers rallied together, contributing approximately £15,000 (S$25,550), enabling the spaniel to undergo the crucial procedure, as reported by the BBC.
Initially, concerns loomed over the possibility of amputating one of Ariel’s four functional limbs. However, skilled surgeon Aaron Lutchman skillfully preserved all her limbs. In an interview with the BBC, Mr. Lutchman expressed satisfaction with Ariel’s recovery, stating, “She’s doing really well, she’s bounced back, and she’s a happy little dog, and we’re hoping she’s going to go on to lead a fabulous little life.”
Mr. Mikey Lawlor, the founder and manager of the animal rescue that took Ariel in, revealed additional challenges uncovered during her initial assessment. The veterinarian discovered an extra vulva, and a subsequent CT scan disclosed that Ariel possessed only one kidney, complicating the required medical interventions.
Mr. Lawlor elaborated, “Due to having two hip joints on one side, Ariel’s pelvis never formed properly. As a result, her normal back right leg had virtually no muscle tone, so there was a possibility that might have had to come off too. Thankfully that wasn’t the case, as it has shown signs of having strengthened a lot in recent months.”
Named after Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” due to her partially fused extra hind legs resembling a mermaid’s tail, Ariel underwent surgery at Langford Vets Small Animal Referral Hospital in Somerset on Jan 18. The complex, two-hour procedures were successful, and Ariel exhibited swift post-operative recovery, walking, eating, and drinking the following day.
Mr. Lawlor expressed optimism about Ariel’s future, saying, “Now we just need to keep our fingers crossed she doesn’t get any infections, but she really is in the best hands.” Langford Vets’ hospital director, Vicki Black, highlighted the collaborative efforts of various specialist teams involved in Ariel’s care and praised the recovery of the resilient canine.
Mirroring the enchanting narrative of Disney, Ariel is poised for a fairytale ending. After her hospital recovery, she has been joyfully reunited with her foster family in west Wales.
