Helped Animals

Meet Freddy, an older Great Pyrenees.  He came into the Animal ER laterally recumbent (unable to sit or stand up) and in distress.  He was hot, pale, and his belly was distended.  He had very low blood pressure and was in shock. A quick X-ray revealed a gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), which means that his stomach had rotated 180 degrees and air was no longer able to escape through his esophagus (wind pipe). When this happens, the stomach fills with a dangerous amount of gas, which in turn puts pressure on the great vessels of the body.  When these vessels are compressed, bloodflow to all the major organs is compromised  and causes the patient to go into shock.  Also, while the stomach is twisted, the stomach itself loses bloodflow and the tissue can begin to die. A GDV is life-threatening and requires immediate emergency surgery to save the patient’s life.

Currently, we do not know the cause of a GDV.  Although we do know that older, male, large breed dogs are at the highest risk for this condition. A GDV comes on suddenly and typical signs include retching without productive vomiting, pale gums, distended belly, and collapse. A GDV is a true emergency and without immediate care, the patient will die.

Freddy’s owners were committed to saving his life, even though it would be an incredible financial hardship for them. The cost for Freddy to undergo surgery was even higher than typical because he is a giant breed dog and would require higher volumes of any drug he received.  Also, being an older guy, it would be likely that he would have a longer recovery and hospital stay.  Both the Lupine Fund and the hospital chipped in to help the owners make Freddy’s surgery possible. Freddy recovered a week after his surgery and was discharged to his family.

Meet Marlow!  He presented to a rehabilitation hospital in great pain and paralyzed in his hind end.  Being a “long-backed” dog, Marlow is predisposed to intervertebral disk disease (IVDD).  This is similar to when people have “slipped disks” that cause debilitating pain.  However, in dogs, we often seen neurologic deficits alongside this pain. Having IVDD cause paralysis is not uncommon in dogs.

Marlow was treated immediately with pain medications, acupuncture, laser therapy, and with a few sessions in the hyperbaric oxygen chamber. He began to recover, regaining comfort and mobility.  Marlow also went into an underwater treadmill and was taught specific exercises to help him regain full hind end function.

Marlow had a near perfect recovery!  However, a few months later he suffered a set-back.  His pain returned, although luckily he was still able to walk and did not have any neurologic deficits. It was at this time that the Lupine Fund stepped to help Marlow and his family resume his care.

Marlow has been making a steady recovery and although still on medication, his pain is well controlled. He continues to be a shy, but lovable and patient guy!

 

Bullet and her two newborn puppies were abandoned at a veterinary clinic after her owner elected not to pay for her veterinary care.  She was brought into the hospital because she had suffered several seizures at home.  After spending the day in the hospital, her seizures were finally under control. However, her owner was not reachable and failed to return to pick her up.  The staff and doctors at the hospital cared for her for 30 days, running all sorts of tests to determine the cause of her seizures.  After this 30 day waiting period, she was officially considered abandoned and the hospital was free to look for her forever home. In the end, she was diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy (unknown cause for seizures). The good news is that she has not suffered a single seizure since starting oral medication.  Bullet was quite an anxious girl at first, but now  is a very happy despite her ordeal.   She is full of energy and an absolute sweetheart!  She is dog, cat and people friendly.  She eagerly awaits a second lease on life with a stable and loving home!

UPDATE:  Bullet has found her forever home!

Lilo is a miniature dachshund that became acutely paralyzed after slipping on the ice.  She began rehabilitation with acupuncture, laser therapy, therapeutic exercise, and an underwater treadmill.

Lilo made an incredible recovery and was starting to walk only after 10 days post-injury, and only 4 rehab sessions.

Visit Lupine Fund’s Facebook page to watch her incredible recovery in a short movie. 

 Axel Found a Rescue!!!

Axel is going to be heading to Heath’s Haven Rescue!  She will live with the founders of the rescue until her forever home is found.  She will also be able to resume her rehabilitation therapy while at the rescue!

Here Axel is in her new cart for the first time!  This cart was purchased by an anonymous donor, who was especially moved after meeting Axel. Axel has been loving her cart and gets really excited when it’s cart time!  Here she is cooling off after a walk.

Please visit Heath’s Haven Facebook page to learn more about this rescue group.  They focus on dogs with special needs, specifically those with mobility challenges.  Their videos are really heartwarming!

Axel has been staying at a medical boarding facility while we are looking for her forever home.  This facility is run out of a home and Axel is really enjoying her time there.  She is spending lots of time running around in her cart (and I mean running faster than I can!)  and playing the the 10 other dogs who are also “guests”. I visited her the other day and did some acupuncture, during which she fell asleep.  Currently, her situation is excellent, but it is only a matter of time before we run out of money to pay for her stay at the boarding house. We have about 2 more weeks to find her forever home.