A six-legged deer found in Rome last month underwent successful surgery Monday night to remove the two extra appendages, and if all goes as planned, it will hopefully be walking around on a more-normal four legs in the very near future.
Click to see video footage of the six-legged deer, "Spyder."
Veterinarian Dan Pate with West Rome Animal Clinic — who cared for the deer earlier this summer after it was viciously attacked by a pack of dogs — said the animal’s two inner rear legs were removed.
Click to see a SnapHappy photo gallery of "Spyder."
The deer, nicknamed “Spyder,” endured three and a half hours of surgery and appeared to be coming out of surgery “just fine” and is expected to recover, Pate said around 11 p.m.
Pate said Dr. Tim Crowe, a former professor at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, performed the surgery.
The procedure had been scheduled for Monday afternoon but was delayed until the evening.
The deer used a leg from each of its two pelvises to walk, so Monday’s procedure involved taking a leg from each pelvis.
It’s not yet known whether the surgery will allow the deer to be released into the wild.
The deer has been under the care of an Athens-area wild life rehabilitator.
