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Lifestyle

Meet Skipper, the first puppy to survive with six legs

By
Suzy Weiss
Published Feb. 23, 2021
Updated Feb. 23, 2021, 11:23 a.m. ET

What has six legs, two tails, and an adorable spotted coat? 

It’s Skipper, an Aussie border collie mix born last week at Neel Veterinary Hospital in Oklahoma City, where vets are calling her a “miracle” because she’s believed to be the first pup to survive in utero with six legs.

“This is a miracle named Skipper. Literally,” vets announced in a Facebook post. “She has survived longer than we suspect any other canine has (at just 4 days old — published research does not indicate one has been born alive) with her combination of congenital conditions.”

The brand-new puppy was born with a few rare disorders, including “monocephalus dipygus and monocephalus rachipagus dibrachius tetrapus,” according to staffers at the animal hospital.

“[It] simply means she has 1 head and chest cavity but 2 pelvic regions, 2 lower urinary tracts, 2 reproductive systems, 2 tails and 6 legs among other things,” vets wrote in the post, which is accompanied by a snap of the cute, if unique pup. “Research does not indicate one has been born alive,” meaning Skipper is the first canine of her kind to survive to birth.

The pup “has been rejected by her mother and is being bottle fed,” a GoFundMe launched by Skipper’s new owner states. The crowd-sourced funds — $1,700 has been raised as of Tuesday morning — will be used toward “vet visits and possibly future surgery to fix some issues if they arise,” although Neel vets said encouragingly that Skipper was “pain-free” and “very strong.”

This is a miracle named Skipper. Literally. She has survived longer than we suspect any other canine has (at just 4 days old - published research does not indicate one has been born alive) with her combination of congenital conditions. You might notice she looks a little different - 6 legs! She has a type of congenital conjoining disorders called monocephalus dipygus and monocephalus rachipagus dibrachius tetrapus which simply means she has 1 head and chest cavity but 2 pelvic regions, 2 lower urinary tracts, 2 reproductive systems, 2 tails and 6 legs among other things. It is likely that she was going to have a litter mate but they did not separate in utero. She also has signs of spina bifida along her spine. Positively, her organs appear to be in great shape, she is peeing and pooping, and is very strong! She nurses well and is growing appropriately so far. All of her legs move and respond to stimulus just like a normal puppy. Its possible she may need physical therapy and assistance with mobility as she gets older. We will continue to research her conditions, monitor her development during rechecks and help keep Skipper pain-free and comfortable for the rest of life. She is doing well at home now.
Skipper is believed to be the first six-legged puppy to survive utero. Facebook

Docs suspect that Skipper’s condition is a result of two embryos in utero failing to separate, but she isn’t a conjoined twin. Skipper has one head and chest — but her nether regions are double: a pair of urinary tracts, two reproductive systems and two pelvic regions, plus her visible bonus appendages are a result of the birth defect. 
Luckily, all of Skipper’s six legs work, “All of her legs move and respond to stimulus,” and she is “doing well at home now.” Skipper also has spina bifida.

Her new humans are also chronicling “Skipper’s Journey” in a Facebook group, which already has more than 20,000 followers.

Skipper joins another special dog, a 7-year-old Applehead chihuahua named Malibu who suffers from epilepsy, in her new home. “We want her to motivate and mentor Skipper,” her new humans posted.