Photo gallery Ferguson back on his feet with UW’s help
A miniature donkey named Ferguson got a hand — actually part of a leg — from UW–Madison’s School of Veterinary Medicine recently. Ferguson had showed up at Holyland Donkey Haven, a donkey rescue center east of Fond du Lac, with a front left hoof was so disfigured it had formed a large abscess. At the School of Veterinary Medicine, veterinarian Samantha Morello amputated the hoof, and a prosthetist fitted him with an artificial limb. Now Ferguson is back on his feet and recovering. It was the first amputation with a prosthesis at UW’s large animal hospital, Morello said. Amputations on large animals such as horses and donkeys, who bear more weight, especially in their front limbs, are more complicated and rarely are done.
Kelly Shaw, left, resident in the Large Animal Surgery Department, and Samantha Morello, clinical associate professor in the Large Animal Surgery Department, walk Ferguson, a miniature donkey with his new artificial leg. Morello performed amputation surgery and was assisted by Shaw, and both managed his aftercare. Photo by: Bryce Richter
Ferguson, a miniature donkey who had a deformed front left hoof, eats grass in a small pasture as he finalizes his recovery from amputation surgery. Photo by: Bryce Richter
Ferguson is starting to get familiar with his artificial leg, increasing his mobility. Photo by: Bryce Richter
Morello walks Ferguson, a miniature donkey that had a deformed front left hoof. Amputation surgeries are more complicated for large animals, as the limbs bear more weight. Photo by: Bryce Richter