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She has two extra limbs and a tail to spare and veterinarians are calling her a miracle on six legs.
Skipper, who was born in Oklahoma in the US along with eight healthy siblings, left vets stunned when she came out with two front legs, four back legs and two tails.
“She’s survived longer than we suspect any other canine has with her combination of congenital conditions,” the Neel Veterinary Hospital posted on its Facebook page.
According to the post, Skipper, who’s a cross between an Australian shepherd and a border collie, has a type of congenital conjoining disorder called monocephalus dipygus and monocephalus rachipagus dibrachius tetrapus. “Which simply means she has one head and chest cavity but two pelvic regions, two lower urinary tracts, two reproductive systems, two tails and six legs among other things,” the post reads.
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“I don’t think I’m going to see another puppy like this in my lifetime,” vet Alison Everett says.
According to Everett, Skipper is also likely to have two sets of urinary systems, including two bladders.
“What we think happened with her is that sometime during development, when the body normally starts patterning itself she started trying to split, almost like trying to form a twin, and it just didn’t complete itself,” Everett explains.
There are still plenty of unknowns about how Skipper will develop, Everett says, adding that she “might have a much shorter life expectancy than an average pup”.
To add to her congenital conditions, Skipper also has spina bifida, a defect that affects the vertebrae and spinal cord and can sometimes cause muscle weakness and paralysis.
But it seems the cute pup is doing great so far. Everett says Skipper is “moving around like a healthy puppy” and is not showing “any outward signs of any pain or discomfort”.
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“Her organs appear to be in great shape, she’s peeing and pooping and is very strong. She nurses well and is growing appropriately so far. All of her legs move and respond to stimulus just like a normal puppy.”
Skipper may need physical therapy and assistance with mobility as she gets older, but vets will continue to monitor and research her condition to make sure she lives a comfortable life.
Vets have decided not to remove her extra legs yet as they might help with balance and stability as she grows.
“Skipper is doing great!” Everett says. “Her eyes are very close to opening entirely, she’s moving her legs well and gaining weight. She is unique.”
SOURCES: SKYNEWS.COM, TODAY.COM, THESUN.CO.UK, LIVESCIENCE.COM
