Exceptionally rare 5-legged puppy wows Wisconsin shelter: 'Never seen anything like this'
Bella, a 6-month-old puppy, was recently surrendered to the WHS Kenosha Campus. (Wisconsin Humane Society)
MILWAUKEE - Bella is no ordinary pup.
Maybe it's because she's the first five-legged dog a Wisconsin animal shelter has ever seen in their 145-year history.
The 6-month-old puppy was recently surrendered to the Wisconsin Humane Society's Kenosha campus. She’s one of the few documented cases of dimelia in a dog – ever, the shelter said.
"I’ve never seen anything like this in a dog," said Nancy Weiss, the shelter's medical director. "Her radiographs are quite extraordinary."
MEET SHAMROCK: A GOLDEN RETRIEVER BORN WITH RARE GREEN PIGMENT
She’s one of the few documented cases of dimelia in a dog – ever. (Wisconsin Humane Society)
Bella's extremely rare congenital anomaly causes the duplication of bones, resulting in an extra leg inside her right hind leg.
A typical canine hind leg consists of one femur, tibia, fibula and 4-5 toes. X-rays of Bella's affected leg indicate an extra femur, two tibias, two fibulas, and nine toes on her rear paw.
Bella has nine toes on her rear paw. (Wisconsin Humane Society)
"We were all just as floored as you likely are when we saw the X-rays," the shelter exclaimed.
SEE IT: 'GRUMPY' CAT SHOWS LITTLE GRATITUDE AFTER RESCUE FROM TIGHT SQUEEZE
The condition causes an abnormal gait while she walks or runs, the shelter said, as they sought advice from a surgical specialist. They considered surgery, which included amputation, but decided to monitor her comfort since she's currently using the limb comfortably and there are potential risks associated with surgery.
"The extra bones and condition do somewhat affect her mobility," said Angela Speed, vice president of marketing and communications for the shelter. "Although she loves to go for walks and run around in our play yard."
Bella will be available for adoption on Friday. (Wisconsin Humane Society)
Bella is expected to be available for adoption Friday, and shelter staff are optimistic she’ll get adopted soon.
"We have a sea of dogs and puppies looking for homes right now, but Bella is extra special," Speed said. "Who wouldn’t adopt this loving unicorn of a pup?"