Atticus is now under the care of UGA and has had two appointments at the university.

Veterinary staff are pleased with Atticus’s progress over the last month. His spine seems stable and he has gained 8 lbs. of much needed weight including increased muscle tone. They compared his gait and movement today with the previous evaluation and found a degree of improvement that they did not expect. While there is still pronounced curvature to his back, the light daily exercise has given him muscle mass that is providing him with more stability in his movement. They videotaped him again for comparison at his next appointment.

He is now able to go up and down small sets of stairs and does it with very controlled movement. He actually runs in the yard! Vet staff feel that letting him exercise to a level he is comfortable with is safe and good for his confidence.

Atticus was a VERY good boy and just lay down under the examining table while the discussion was going on – no nervousness! They would like to see him again in a month and if he has remained stable or improved they are inclined to not do surgery and risk paralysis. He will need to be periodically monitored to make sure there is no deterioration in his condition.

He needs a family who will be prepared to deal with an uncertain future for this wonderful boy.