Tiny 6-Week-Old Rescue Pup Learns to Walk on Stilts After Horse Breaks Legs

A tiny puppy is facing an added challenge when it comes to walking after getting seriously injured at such a young age.

The toy fox terrier/Jack Russell terrier mix named Zoey was about 6 weeks old when she was rescued by an Ohio-based nonprofit along with the rest of the litter. Heaven to Earth Rescue around two weeks ago received a call that these puppies were available and was informed that a horse kicked Zoey's front legs, leaving them completely broken.

Heaven to Earth took Zoey and the rest of the puppies in. With the help from East Holmes Veterinarian Clinic, she has been receiving much-needed care and attention on her broken legs.

Along with discovering life as a puppy, she is also having to figure out how to walk with two broken legs, and for now, she is rocking special leg casts.

The December 1 Facebook post, which was shared on the Heaven to Earth Rescue page, provided an update on Zoey's condition, stating: "She is being a real trooper about it, learning how to walk with the splints on."

On Tuesday, the rescue center shared an update on Zoey. The person in the video said she goes in on Thursday for a recheck to see how she is healing. That will determine whether she will be able to go home soon.

Luckily, the injuries do not seem to slow down Zoey. She appears to be very energetic, squirming around in the video, wanting to play.

Once Zoey is cleared and released by the veterinarians, she will be available for adoption, a representative from the shelter told Newsweek. Other puppies from the same litter as Zoey are available for adoption now.

What to Do If Your Dog Has a Broken Leg

Broken legs can be a common injury for dogs and although it is not usually a life-threatening situation, it should be treated immediately.

Dog owners should look for the following signs of a broken leg: sudden limping, holding up the affected limb, swelling, vocalization due to pain, and open wounds or bruises.

The Spruce Pets recommends assessing your dog first to determine if there are any open wounds or whether your dog can walk, then reach out to your vet for how to proceed. Try to keep the broken leg stabilized until you can get to your vet. They will then give a diagnosis of the injury severity followed by a treatment plan.

The dog will need to rest and recover for weeks to months, regardless of the injury and treatment method.

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