ATHENS, Ga. -- A six-legged deer found in north Georgia died following surgery at a private Athens animal clinic to remove its two extra legs, which were hindering its gait.

The deer, nicknamed Spyder, died Aug. 20, two days after surgery. The veterinary surgeons who performed the 3 1/2 hour operation on Aug. 18 said Spyder seemed to be healing well but then died suddenly of what appeared to be a vascular problem.

The unusual deer was found July 18 by a couple whose dogs had chased it near Armuchee in northwest Georgia. It was initially treated for minor injuries from the dogs and then sent to live with an Athens woman who has a permit to keep unique animals in captivity.

The deformity, called polymelia -- Latin for many limbs -- is caused by a birth defect. Sometimes it occurs in the case of conjoined twins in which one twin degenerates except for the extra limbs.