Nov 29, 2005 8:23 am US/Mountain
Local Shelter Helps Dog With No Front Legs
by Jodi Brooks
GOLDEN, Colo. (CBS4) ―
An animal shelter in Evergreen is helping a special dog get a more normal life. Kandu was born with no front legs.
Experts at the Colorado Professional Medical work on prosthetics for people. They've also taken their expertise to help animals.
Kandu manages to get around and does it all. But he could still use help.
Kandu doesn't appear to be in pain as he scoots across the floor. Missing his front legs at birth is a rare condition. Kandu has compensated.
"He's got hind legs like Schwarzenegger legs, huge, thick muscles and a lower back, like a swimmer, real developed spinal muscles," Martin Kaufmann with Orthopets said.
Kandu has no problem getting around. He can also leap, not realizing that he's different than other dogs.
His behavior only changes while he's jumping down. He can only handle a small drop. That's because of worries about his chest.
"If he gets cut, or an abrasion or a bruise," Kaufmann said.
Kaufmann builds adaptive technology for pets. He's working on two devices for Kandu.
"Kandu is going to get a soft padded vest he'll wear around the house or on carpet surfaces to reduce rug burn," Kaufmann said. "We all know how much that hurts. We're also going to make him a little rolling device, like a ball. It'll be centered right underneath his chest."
Kandu will have an easier life with those devices. He still loves to be held, though. He'll take a free ride anytime.
Kandu had three owners. His last owner left him at an animal hospital in Evergreen to be euthanized thinking he wouldn't have a good quality of life.
Kandu should have his new padded vest and ball by Christmas and able to be adopted.
Carts have helped some dogs with missing legs walk. They only work for dogs with bad hind legs. There was nothing for dogs like Kandu until now.
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