Meet CiCi

CiCi is a 10 year old female surrendered to the rescue because the owner passed away. The owner had had CiCi since she was a puppy so her transition has been hard for her. Not in the best shape with being very overweight, a few lipomas, some dental tartar and a lipid on one of her eyes. Her fur had also been clipped close to her skin with some patches of fur loss. Her owner had her current on her vaccinations so we started with doing a senior blood panel on her. With that, we discovered that she has hypothyroidism. This is one of the contributing factors with her significant weight issue and hair loss. She is currently taking medication and will be re-tested in 3-4 weeks to see if her levels are therapeutic.

Tabatha is adopted!

Although still dealing with some medical issues, I am happy to announce that Tabatha, now known as Tabby, has been adopted by her foster family! Congratulations to the Barksdale family. We are so thankful that Tabby has found such a fantastic home.

Video of Tabatha

Meet Tabitha

This sweet girl is from an area shelter. The neglect is evident in the condition of her skin and coat. Her teeth are worn down from chewing on herself, both her ears are infected and one of her eyes has an infection. Even with all this going on, she still greets everyone with a wiggly back end and wagging tail.

Meet Sargent Major

Sarge was caught by Animal Control and brought into the shelter as a stray. He has some lumps and bumps, hair loss (probably from fleas), and could use to gain a little weight as we can easily see his ribs. Sarge is in a foster home and getting some TLC including good food and antibiotics for his skin. We are waiting to neuter him until his skin clears up. He is really a great dog with an amazing temperament. Very much the Golden Retriever temperament we all love.

 

Laura Ann recently had a re-check after completing her first round of antibiotics. She has gotten stronger and more steady on her feet. The doctor has prescribed another round of antibiotics and then a re-check with chest x-ray in two weeks. Her eyes seem to still be irritated so we will try a different medication. She has gained weight and strength and is well enough to start some basic training. She is proving to be sweet, loyal and very smart, as you can see for yourself.

Adam's fight is over, the pain is gone

Friday night: Our heart is breaking as our little warrior is still fighting and has suffered a couple of seizures. More tests. 

Saturday: Little Atom’s levels are dropping and not stablizing. He could have possible distemper. The decision was made to give this boy peace and be free of pain. Good night sweet pup. Rest In Peace.

This is so very hard on all of us but especially to those that held this pup close to them. Thank you to the staff and doctors at VCA Advanced Veterinary Care Center and the volunteers who prayed for Atom along the way. Gives lots of hugs to your pups today.

Atom - Good but Guarded

Eating and Drinking - Wednesday, August 1
His positive steps are small and timely, licking up a little food, drinking on his own...but everyone is determined and dedicated to get this puppy out of the hospital and have him learning what a puppy should be experiencing at this age. Although our volunteer could not hold him since he was sleeping soundly, she was able to pet him as he opened his eyes slowly to take a peek and then back to sleep.

Liking Chicken - Thursday, August 2
Atom is eating some chicken and puppy food, but still has low levels of sodium and protein.

Getting closer to independence but still guarded - Friday, August 3
Atom has been removed from IV medications and can now take them orally. Atom is still just eating a bit, doing his P and P , and sleeping most of the time.

Atom's surgery successful

Saturday, July28:  Emergency surgery was performed and now Atom is facing a difficult recovery. Your donation will help cover the costs of his emergency as well as provide life supporting after care in the hospital.

Sunday, July 29: Now for the hard part!  Surgery went well and now he is being monitored and provided with plasma, fluids and nutrients while testing his levels throughout the day.

Meet Atom

So much pain, so very young
This young baby, Atom, was close to having all his organs shutting down after days of vomiting, then not eating or moving. We knew we had a very sick puppy but not a conclusive diagnosis. Expensive tests needed to be performed to determine that Atom had intussusception. This is when the intestine telescopes within itself.

Laura Ann update

So far so good! Laura Ann has headed off to her foster home. The doctor has released this fighter since she is eating much better and is more alert. Laura Ann was an angel in the car over to her foster parents' home. She is very happy and took a little snooze in her bed while her foster mom worked. She is taking two different antibiotics with her food and has been very cooperative. Her eyes look OK...still dripping a little so foster mom is using some soft gauze to try and keep them clean so they don’t get irritated.

Although Laura Ann did not care for the tasty chicken mixed in with kibble for dinner, her foster family will keep trying. They will try a lesser ratio to help ease her back. She did eat a nice big meal though. Foster mom reported that she slept very soundly in her bed last night and is doing great with her meds. She also got a new toy because of my love for (real) hot dogs. Breathing is ok, still a little labored at times but not constant as in the hospital. She’s doing ok on short slow walks but still very low activity allowed for this girl.

 

Laura Ann video

Laura Ann still fighting

Emergency surgery was needed for this poor girl who was very sick and in critical condition. She had an infection called pyometra. Days of illness and hospitalization never lessened her tenderness and love towards people. Now with surgery behind her she is fighting another infection that keeps her with continuous life saving support. Intravenous medication and fluids, hand feeding, nebulizing and chest physiotherapy have been Laura Ann’s routine. With rest and nutrition, we hope that Laura Ann can go to her waiting foster home soon.

Her initial emergency surgery and then hospitalization have been very expensive. But this is what is needed to save this girl's life. Please consider donating to help get Laura Ann where she can sleep in a soft bed without tubes and needles, carry her toys around and start running and playing like a 4 year old should.

 

Madonna recovering in foster home

Madonna is now resting comfortable at home and recovering. So far all is going well and I will update her photos when the stitches are out.

Madonna has surgery

Today Madonna had her surgery. She had continued to have greenish pus coming from her vulva and she had a multitude of times we treated her for a UTI. Surgery was performed to explore the abdomen. There was a cystic pocket of fluid that was closely adhered to her urethra. This was an extremely uncommon finding in a dog. She may have been born with this or after trauma from delivering her puppies. The fluid was cultured and it was consistent with being a cyst which had gotten intermittently infected. It was very far back in the pelvis and to remove the total cyst would entail breaking her pelvis. After much discussion this was not done. The doctors elected to open the cyst, cleaned, flushed it and what is called omentum was performed. She came thru the surgery with "flying colors" and is now happily recovering at home.

 

Madonna

Madonna started her journey in Rescue as a new mom with 3 little black puppies back in September, 2016. Oh, what a terrific momma she was! The pups grew up and were ready for their forever home and Madonna went to a foster home to start looking for her forever home. That has been a long journey...she started having repeated bladder infections. She has gone thru this so many times and the infections got worse and worse. Multiple tests were run on her and they either came back with a bladder infection or another infection. Antibiotics would make her feel better for a little while and it would start again.

May 2017:  Madonna went to UC Davis to have a specialist examine her and, hopefully, tell us what was going on. The specialist said that Madonna definitely had urinary issues and she also told us that there is something behind her bladder that she was unable to reach to determine what it was. Madonna went back to her foster home with more antibiotics.

June 2018:  Madonna went to a specialty hospital in Orange County and had another battery of tests done. The doctor said she definitely had something behind her bladder but after scoping her, nothing could be done. Madonna was still having bladder infections and now there was smelly pus dripping along with the urine. It was finally decided that we had to operate to see if we could help her. Her surgery was scheduled and an update will be posted soon.

 

Beren looking good

Beren returned to the vets to have his stitches removed and to get another set of exercises that his foster home is now doing to help him get his strength back. From listening to the list of exercises, it seems to take most of the day to complete them all. Beren is doing good, and much happier to have the E-Collar removed.

Beren update

Beren went back to Pacific Coast Veterinary Hospital to have his incision checked yesterday, 3-28-18, and he is healing well. The bandage was taken off but he still has a week with the staples before they are removed. His foster parents now have some "range of motion" exercises to do with him daily and lots and lots of short walks to building up the muscles and help him heal. Next week he has a return visit to have the staples removed. I'll send an update after that visit.

 

Beren back in foster home after surgery

Beren is now back in his foster home and on a limited schedule for short 5 minute walks several times a day for the next week. He will be returning next week to have the bandage taken off, recheck, and for his foster home to be given his range of motion exercises. Beren is doing well and getting lots of attention.

Meet Beren

Beren is a 1 year old boy who came in to our rescue. He was favoring his left rear leg. We've had him on pain medication since his intake and after several visits to 4 different doctors, it was felt by all that were consulted that he needed surgery to help to be pain free in his future life. Surgery was performed yesterday, 3/20/18 at Pacific Coast Veterinary Hospital, and Beren is going home today. He will be with his foster parents during recuperation and will return in 10-14 days for suture removal and recheck. He will also be given a course of exercises to build up his muscles. Updated photos of Beren in recovery will be added when received.