"Auto" now en route to recovery, thanks to UF Vets, Humane Society

A badly injured young stray dog that happened to wander into the bushes near the Alachua County Humane Society is alive today and at home with his new adoptive owners, thanks to caring Humane Society workers and surgeons at the University of Florida Veterinary Medical Center.

"He was discovered Monday morning, Oct. 6, by staff members, and he was obviously dehydrated and in shock," said Kirk Eppenstein, the Humane Society's executive director, adding that while no one saw the accident, it appeared the dog had been hit by a car.

"The Humane Society made him comfortable until he could be transported to Alachua County Animal Services for mandatory holding to see if an owner would come forward," Eppenstein said.

No one did. After consulting with a few local veterinarians who gave the dog — nicknamed Auto — a poor prognosis, members of the Humane Society went to the media and to the general public seeking donations to help pay for the dog's medical care.

"Staff from the Humane Society refused to give up on Auto and worked with him daily," Eppenstein said. "He had the presence of mind or the luck to wander into the bushes near our offices, and although our resources are always spread thin, we just felt he deserved a chance."

Eight days later, Auto arrived at UF's VMC, where he was evaluated by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Antonio Pozzi and resident Dr. Alastair Coomer.

"Radiographs showed a fracture of his left femur, a left hip luxation, right pelvic fracture and small fractures of the left femoral head," said Christine Ross, the junior veterinary student who served as part of the treatment team.

Surgery was performed Oct. 14 to repair the fractured femur.

"Five pins and two screws were used to stabilize the multiple fractures," Ross said.

Two days later, Auto received a total hip replacement, removing small bone chips and replacing his left hip joint with a new titanium joint.

"He is a young dog and has soft bones, so we are taking multiple precautions during his recovery," Ross said, adding that Auto would be in a sling for the next few weeks to prevent him from bearing any weight on the injured limb.

Accompanied by a Humane Society technician, Eppenstein came to the UF VMC Oct. 20 to pick Auto up. He said that the good Samaritan who came forward to cover the lion's share of Auto's veterinary expenses — estimated to have been between $6,000-$7,000 — had decided to give the dog a permanent home.

"His recovery will likely be long and slow, but his prognosis is very good," said Coomer.

In an interview with local news station WCJB, TV 20, Pozzi thanked the members of the surgery team, the Humane Society and the community for their help.