Puppies doing well!

Happy to report that Olive, Chestnut and Timber are doing well this morning. There are all eating, no vomiting, no diarrhea and their temperatures are normal. They are still within the incubation period of the virus so it's a day by day observation. We are continuing their treatment to fight their exposure to the virus, keep it from spreading and to build up their immune systems to make it through this period when symptoms would surface.

The vet saw blood in their kennel this morning which was alarming at first but then realized it was from their little nails scratching to get out of the kennel. They are active pups indeed.

We've been told that with continued good health through this weekend -- they all stand an excellent chance of leading normal, healthy lives!

Thanks for your prayers and generosity for these darlings.

Yeah!

Pumpkin & Spice

With sadness in our hearts...it's difficult to tell you that both Pumpkin and Spice have left us. Pumpkin's temperature spiked and along with violent vomiting and dehydration we felt the most humane thing we could do was to put her to rest. Her sister, Spice, didn't make it through the night.

Our vet is aggressively tackling the treatment of Olive, Timber and Chestnut continuing to monitor their vitals and treating with Tamiflu - an anti-viral medication to keep the parvovirus from spreading along with the antibiotic injections and fluid therapy to help their tiny immune systems fight this horrific virus. All three pups seem to be holding their own at the moment and we are praying for each of them.

Thank you for the amazing support in donations and beautiful thoughts in emails for these golden pups. We are touched by the kindness of your compassion and generosity.

Rest in peace, Pumpkin and Spice, in the arms of Golden Angels...

Donations needed for Parvo-exposed puppies!

Five, darling, 8-week old puppies arrived into rescue today in need of urgent medical attention. All were, unfortunately, exposed to canine parvovirus. The three females (Pumpkin, Olive and Spice) and two males (Chestnut and Timber) were from a litter of seven. Two of the pups died before we were contacted by the owner to help them. All dogs were rushed to one of our veterinary partners today. The doctor and staff went to work preparing for their arrival on short notice. Because of the severity of the disease and its ability to spread rapidly, they prepared their isolation unit for treatment and containment of the dogs.

One of the females, Pumpkin, is quite sick and the veterinarian and assistant quickly went to work on her giving her fluids and injections to help with her dehydration and weakness. The other four Goldens are in isolation being treated and are under observation for how this aggressive virus will play out in their system.

Canine Parvovirus is often deadly and requires much in the way of immediate, aggressive medical attention and support. Treatment is expensive, but necessary, to ensure we give these Golden pups a fighting chance. We need your donations now more than ever and greatly appreciate your giving during these difficult times!

About the Canine Parvovirus (CPV)
The main source of parvo is from the feces of infected dogs. Susceptible dogs become infected by ingesting the virus. Dogs that become infected with the virus and show clinical signs will usually become ill within six to ten days of the initial infection. Time is of the essence as the virus attacks the intestinal tract resulting in severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalances and infection in the bloodstream. Once the bacteria has entered the blood stream it becomes very difficult to save the dog. There is no treatment to kill the virus once it infects the dog. However, an aggressive treatment consisting of intravenous fluids and antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs increase the chance of the dog recovering.

Debbie runs ahead

It is with much sadness that I send out this note. Yesterday we had to make the very difficult decision to let Debbie go. The past couple weeks have been a roller coaster ride. She would have a couple good days and then some very bad days. Only after consulting with all the vets involved with her care - VCA All Care, Dr. Michael Moore, Eye Care for Animals - Dr. Brinkis, Pacific Coast Veterinary Hospital - Dr. Gertmanian - and Barbara Davis, did I finally have to make this very emotional decision. This horrible fungus infection had started to take hold again and Debbie was now in considerable pain. We knew we could no more for her and we have let her run free to play at the beach and do all the things she so loved when she was feeling better. We had all so hoped she would have recovered but that was not in her future.

Please take time to read Teri's note about Debbie and download these lovely pictures (click here) of her on Debbie's good days. I want to thank Teri and Jim Butcher for lovingly fostering her all these months. They had gone above and beyond with her care - running her to all her vet appointments, picking up her medicine and spending the better park of most days with her and her care. We all thank you so much. Debbie was well cared for and loved during the time she was with Teri and Jim.

We will always remember this sweet, tail wagging, happy girl that was so gentle and very beautiful. I want to thank our Rescue Organization for their support and for caring. This is what it is all about - doesn't always end like we want it to, but we are still out there trying. Thanks for the donations and it is our fundraisers and supporters that help us keep saving and helping our less fortunate Goldens.

Carole


From Debbie's foster mom: 
Thank you so much for letting me know before Debbie was put down and giving me the option to see her. After we got off the phone I had a good cry for my sadness over losing her. But, I was very happy for her to move out of her pain and suffering. I was driving when we were on the phone so, I kept going and ended up at the Harbor to sit on the bench that Debbie and I would sit on so I could throw food into the rocks. We would wait for the squirrels to surface and then she would scare them off. It was a fun game. Everyday was a new adventure. We would go somewhere new in my car. I opened all the windows so she could say hi to passing cars. People and other dogs would say hi to her from their cars. Debbie was so affectionate. Every night we both would crawl up on her doggie bed and I would hold her until she fell asleep.
 
She brought so much happiness to our home and we will miss her so much.
 
Sleep peacefully sweet Debbie.

Teri

Camille ready for adoption!

I went to visit with Camille today and they have taken out her stitches.  She is now ready for ADOPTION.  Yes, she kind of looks like a sheep right now with the shaved head and ears but that hair will grow back to her gorgeous prior surgery self.  The interesting thing that we have all found out that have worked with her, is that she can truly still hear well enough to be active, playful and knows what is going on around her. She knows when I walk in the room and gets up to greet me. It's amazing but we are all so happy. The thankful thing is that she is no longer is the great pain she had been in previously. We all so happy for her.

Camille doing very well!

I went to visit with Camille today and she is doing great. Yes, she still doesn't have hair on her ears or head but she is perky, happy and loves her walks. Amazingly, she can hear some. Everyone is shaking their heads but she is not totally deaf. On her walk today, she met several men who were working and, of course, she had to mosey over to get some hugs and pats from them. She doesn't even realize she has this cone on her head now and just struts along like she has her bonnet on. The stitches are scheduled to be removed in another week. At that time, she is available to go to a foster home or a forever home. I'll put her on the "available dog site" at that time. Currently she will go to a single dog home as she is not comfortable with other dogs and we have not been able to test her with cats. An adult home with lots of love available would be perfect for her. Stay tuned for her available date.