Meet Bella: One of the Wisconsin Humane Society's newest intakes who has a leg up on life
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- In between munching on chicken-flavored treats and chasing rope toys across the floor, six-month-old Bella is happily receiving dozens of pets from Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) staff members.
She's one of dozens waiting for adoption, after being recently surrendered to their Kenosha campus.
"She's all puppy," said VP of Marketing and Communications Angela Speed. "She's very curious, very social, she likes to go up and meet new people, she's very active."
But if you take a closer look, you might notice something a little different.
"She has a very unusual paw with many toes," Speed told CBS 58's Ellie Nakamoto-White. "It was discovered that she actually has basically another leg within her right hind leg."
Thanks to experts and several X-rays, officials found Bella has an "extremely rare" condition called dimelia -- a congenital anomaly which can double the number of bones.
Normally, a dog's leg will have one femur, one tibia, one fibula, and four to five toes.
In Bella's case, she has twice as many and about nine toes on that leg.
“When I actually saw the x-rays for the first time, I thought somebody was playing a prank with AI," Speed said. "It’s that unusual.”
It's also the first time in the organization's 145 years they've seen something like it.
The WHS veterinary team consulted with an outside surgical specialist who reportedly considered amputation.
But because Bella's mobility isn't drastically affected since she can walk, run, and bear weight on that leg, they recommended she keep her limb as-is and just monitor for discomfort.
"[Bella] is possibly one of very few in the world," Speed said. "She's got the most special leg in history."
Bella will be available for adoption starting Friday, April 26 at the WHS's Kenosha campus located at 7811 60th Ave.
Her ideal family is caring, playful, active, and can establish a relationship with veterinary care in case issues with her leg arise.
Currently, all dog and puppy adoption fees are 50% off until Tuesday, April 30, which also marks National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day.