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KNOXVILLE (WBIR) — When a Tennessee woman found out a dog could be euthanized because of his deformity, she took him in. Now, the 7-month-old chihuahua is getting his chance to walk straight.
"Scooter" was born with shorter legs in the front than in the back. When he walks, he scoots across the floor, which is how Linda Boehmer came up with his name.
On Thursday, the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine fitted Scooter for his front wheel cart. The front cart takes pressure off his front legs and his back.
"Chihuahuas can be born without front limbs or partial front limbs. It's a defect that comes at birth. Instead of having them walk on these partial limbs or walking upright, having an assisted device such as a front cart seems to be the best way to keep them in a normal functional position," said Dr. Marti Drum, UT clinical assistant professor.
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