🆘 Rescue Needed for Sadie 🆘 - Baltimore, MD

Sadie - 4y6m, unaltered female, 46lbs

Sadie was owner-surrendered on 1/2 and is urgently looking for a rescue who can help her move forward. She is a sweet, friendly, and cooperative girl who is understandably nervous in the shelter, but she responds well to treats and gentle reassurance. Even with everything she’s been through, Sadie remains bright, people-oriented, and eager to connect.

Sadie has a condition affecting her spinal cord in the middle-to-lower part of her back, which impacts how well her back legs move and respond. Because of this, her hind legs can be stiff or uncoordinated at times. She may take a moment to place her feet correctly, stand wider for balance, or slip, especially on smooth floors. She also shows signs of mild pain when certain areas of her spine are touched.

The good news is that Sadie is otherwise in excellent physical condition. Her muscles are strong, her body condition is great, and she is alert and responsive. There are no visible injuries, and because she was abandoned, there is no medical history to tell us how or when this began.

Veterinarians have explained that several treatable or manageable conditions could be causing these symptoms, such as a disc issue in her spine (similar to a slipped disc), an old injury, or a genetic neurological condition. At this time, no definitive diagnosis has been made, and further testing is needed to determine the best long-term plan.

To help Sadie stay comfortable and start understanding her condition, veterinarians recommend:

• DNA health screening (Wisdom, Embark, or Chewy) to check for degenerative myelopathy and other neurological conditions

• X-rays of her spine (with light sedation preferred) to evaluate her middle and lower back

• Strict rest for 2–3 weeks, with short, controlled leash walks only for bathroom breaks

• Anti-inflammatory medication (carprofen) to reduce pain and inflammation, with a scheduled recheck

Depending on how Sadie responds to this plan and what the initial test results show, more advanced imaging such as a spinal MRI may be recommended later to better understand the underlying cause.

These needs are beyond what the shelter can provide, which is why Sadie urgently needs rescue placement.

Sadie is a gentle, loving dog who deserves stability, care, and a real chance at a future. With the right environment and follow-up care, she has the potential to do well.

A full medical summary can be provided upon request.

Please let us know if your organization can help!

Thank you,

The BARCS Rescue Team

rescue@barcs.org

Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter (BARCS)

​2490 Giles Rd, Baltimore, MD 21225

rescue@barcs.org