Trixie makes recovery: Dog found on rural Hamilton road so matted she risked losing her leg

A dog that was found so matted that she risked losing her leg, has found her forever home.

Trixie was so heavily matted caregivers could barely tell where her head was let alone her breed. The dog was found alone on the side of a rural road just before Christmas, said Hamilton Animal Services on their Facebook page.

All 4 legs were matted so severely the leg circumference had swelled to the size of a softball. Her front paw was badly damaged due to the fur matting so tightly around the leg that blood flow was constricted causing degloving of the paw and left the bone exposed."

Animal services posted photos of Trixie with the warning that fur mats can be dangerous to pets and required proper care.

After she was found, the shelter's veterinary technician had to tear away two inches of matted fur from Trixie's face to see her eyes and mouth.

She was immediately sent to a veterinarian where two staff members had to sedate her before separating her from her matted hair. Animal services also said that the dog risked losing her leg because of the wounds caused by the severe matting.

Happily on Tuesday, Hamilton Animal Services was able to update Trixie's condition and not only did she not have to have her leg amputated, she was adopted.

Trixie is doing great! She's getting more comfortable with us and our other dog and cat and starting to explore her surroundings," said her adopter on Facebook.

She's so sweet and affectionate and is always looking for a belly rub. We are so happy that we could give a forever home and know she's going to be wonderful addition to our family," said her new owner.

Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator in Hamilton. Reach her via email: jmoore@thespec.com