‘Scooter the Wonder Dog’ soon to be available for adoption

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – A Chihuahua puppy, better known as "Scooter the Wonder Dog," underwent corrective surgery for his hind legs and should be a available for adoption in about two months.

According to the Department of Animal Services, the kneecaps on Scooter’s back legs rolled inward, pulling on the muscles so that he couldn’t straighten his legs. 

The energetic pup adapted to his deformity in order to get around, and probably didn’t know what his back legs were for, veterinarian Cassie Hamilton said.

Hamilton said that since Scooter was young, veterinarians performed surgery in which his back legs were broken, repaired with metal pins and placed in bandages. The tibia and femur had to be repositioned.

"He’s done great,” Hamilton said. "The second day, post surgery, he was able to kind of tripod himself up and stand while he ate breakfast and he’s just been progressively getting better and better the whole time.”

Physical therapy is ahead for the dog.

"Building that strength and learning how to balance I think is the first step, and then you can see where that neurological reflex to put one foot in front of the other is there,” Hamilton said. "So I’m really optimistic that when we start getting to pull some of these pins and getting some of this bulky bandage material off, that he’s going to pick up running and just do great.”

She estimated Scooter will be available for adoption in about eight weeks.

The surgery was covered through the department’s Spirit Fund, which accepts donations to provide advanced veterinary care.