Vet helps dog give birth to litter of 9 pups then notices one is very different from the rest
A puppy has been defying the odds since the day she came into the world. Born during a record-breaking Oklahoma storm, she was also special in other ways.
One of nine other puppies, she was born with six legs and two tails.
The puppy, named Skipper, has been deemed a miracle by the staff at Neel Veterinary Hospital, where she was born.
Skipper suffered from a pair of rare conjoining disorders.
They are monocephalus dipygus and monocephalus rachipagus dibrachius tetrapus.
In simpler terms, Skipper was born with two pelvic regions, each complete with its own pair of legs and a tail.
In addition, Skipper has two lower urinary tracts and two sets of reproductive organs. On top of all that, she also demonstrated signs of spinal Bifida, common in dogs born with her conditions.
Most amazing of all was the fact that all of her organs seemed to work properly, allowing her to pee and poop like any other dog.
“Her organs appear to be in great shape, she is peeing and pooping, and is very strong!” the hospital wrote on its Facebook page. “She nurses well and is growing appropriately so far. All of her legs move and respond to stimulus just like a normal puppy.”
Why was Skipper born this way?
Most likely the conditions were the result of a twin failing to separate in utero. But Skipper is a fighter and seemed determined to survive.
Of course, the vets say she will eventually need physical therapy and mobility assistance as she gets older.
Determined to live her best life
Despite all this, Skipper seemed happy and was delighted with her human companions.
She even has her own Facebook page, Skippers Journey, where people can look at photos of her and keep up with her life as a very special pup.
Another sad turn of events
Another sad part of Skipper’s story is that her mother rejected her soon after birth.
This is the result of the pack mentality of dogs and the desire to make the pack as strong as it can be. In the wild, Skipper would have been a threat to the survival of the rest of her litter, so it was only natural that her mother rejected her.
People fell in love with the spunky puppy
And while she has had a rough go of it during her early life, Skipper seems determined not to give up.
In response, people across the Internet have shown support with an outpouring of love.
Despite her shortcomings, Skipper’s owners didn’t miss a beat when they took her the next day.
“We were definitely not expecting [her conditions],” they told CBS News. “We just want her to be happy and healthy. She is thriving and learning quickly…she is doing great.”
All in all, it has been a very exciting journey for Skipper and her family.
Learn more about Skipper and her will to thrive despite the odds in the video below.
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Sources: YouTube – Inside Edition, Facebook – Skippers Journey