~ Pixie ~

Can you please help us learn why Pixie won’t walk?

Update: June 13, 2009

Pixie has undergone complete blood work and a tick panel. Nothing that can cause the joint disease was discovered – in fact she appears a very healthy little girl except for a very mild tick-borne infection known as Babeseosis. Unlike Lyme and Rickettsia, this is not a disease that can cause joint inflammation but rather affects the blood, yet according to the specialist her numbers are so low that isn’t even a problem and it’s expected the numbers will be even lower when she’s retested in six months.

She has had some very bad days, but has gotten some relief from an antibiotic that should NOT have any affect on her joints. She has truly baffled her vets. We’ve tried to avoid the joint tap because anesthesia is so dangerous for dogs with Megaesophagus but it looks like that will have to be next on the list. That procedure will cost a minimum of $450 and while her work up to now has been covered by donations, funds for a joint tap are still needed. Please, can you help Pixie? She is truly a little girl in very bad pain some days and needs the testing to determine the type of inflammatory joint disease she has in order to know if it is erosive or non-erosive and what meds can give her relief.

Pixie and her foster mom want to extend special thanks to those who have helped her so far. Step by step we will figure this out.

Pixie is not a little girl who has had an easy time of it. Last summer she arrived in rescue at starvation stage. She had been living in a back yard where she was throwing up the majority of the time and ignored by her family. In rescue, Pixie was quickly diagnosed with megaesophagus and the group caring for her contacted her foster mom, known as something of a pushover when it comes to special needs dogs, and asked if she would care for Pixie.

With megaesophagus, food remains in the esophagus rather than entering the stomach and soon is regurgitated. While the condition can be managed, it cannot be cured, and the secret is to learn what food consistency is best and to keep a dog vertical during feedings and for 30 minutes following each feeding. Medications can help with secondary conditions. Caretakers of MegaE dogs need to be vigilant in trying to prevent the aspiration of food and, subsequently, aspiration pneumonia. Her foster mom had only the slightest of ideas of what she was getting into, but thanks to a wonderful megaesophagus support group and a supportive veterinarian, along with a lot of experimentation, she began to learn what and when Pixie should eat, how long to keep her vertical following feedings and what medications offered the most benefits. Now that Pixie has doubled in weight – to a whopping six pounds! -- and is close to developing a roll of fat, MegaE has become a minor irritation in her and her foster mom’s lives.

Far more of a concern is that Pixie has, in the past month, refused more and more often to walk. Obviously, when she first started this behavior, her foster mom and vet were quick to think spinal issues but a neurological exam revealed this not to be the case. Instead, it is thought she may be suffering from an inflammatory joint disease. In a month’s time, her condition has worsened considerably. Pixie has gone from a joyful little girl who, as she gained strength and weight, loved nothing more than running zoomies and wrestling with her foster brother, Longfellow, to a little girl who spends almost all her time curled in a blanket hoping no one will ask her to walk anymore than necessary.

Pixie needs a series of blood tests, special testing for infectious tick-borne diseases, arthrocentesis (joint tap) and multiple radiographs. Her initial testing is estimated at $750. If the joint disease is confirmed as either infectious or immune-mediated, it will then be known what course of treatment she needs. Should these tests not answer the question as to what is wrong, she will then undergo other testing that can possibly help solve this puzzle. Hopefully, there will be answers long before that and she will soon be back to running zoomies.

Pixie’s foster mom has faced the expense of a costly spay surgery that allowed for the special dangers of anesthetizing a Mega E dog, Pixie’s neurological exam, and the monthly expense for Pixie’s medications. She won’t let anything stop Pixie from getting the tests she needs now, as she acknowledges nothing is harder than seeing Pixie slowing down and in pain after all that time spent getting her healthy in the first place, but she could certainly use some assistance. Can you help get Pixie up to speed?

If you can, please make a tax-deductible donation through the Paypal button below or send a contribution to:

 

AHDRS Pixie Fund PO Box 9671 Greensboro, NC 27429-9671

 

~ Jake ~

Jake is a 6-year-old black and tan dachshund rescued alongside his son, Elwood, from a high kill shelter in South Carolina this past summer. You may remember their adoption biography on our website where they were known as "The Blues Brothers." They were rescued just days before they were to be euthanized due to overcrowding at the shelter. Upon arriving at their foster home in July both boys proved to be in dire need of lots of attention and love. While their history is a mystery, it appeared they lacked any kind of formal training and were starved for affection. They stayed in their foster home for three months as they learned what it meant to live in a loving home.

In early October Jake and Elwood departed to a forever home with a very special family where they have received immense amounts of love and attention. All was bright for their future. Then, just after a wonderful holiday vacation road trip visiting extended family, Jake suffered a tremendous set back. Early one Saturday morning Jake's new father awoke to find Jake suffering from back pain. In short order, Jake was more than two hours away from home at a surgeon being prepped for back surgery. By this time, Jake was almost totally down. Thankfully, Jake's family reacted swiftly and his chances at recovery are extremely high, although it may be something of a slow road before he’s back to his old self.

Since the boys arrived in their new home, their folks have learned a lot about loving a wonderful pair of dachshunds. They are committed to providing the best for these boys, who desperately deserved this second chance in life, and have made many trips to the vet in a short time to deal with other medical issues common to dogs who did not have the best start in life. While they would stop at nothing to provide both boys the absolute best of care, being hit with expensive back surgery so shortly after their adoption, on top of other medical bills, has hit hard. Our organization is hoping to assist them with a portion of the costs associated with Jake’s surgery in an effort to support this wonderful family who is now working diligently doing physical therapy with Jake to help him get back up on all fours. Their commitment knows no end. Can you help us help Jake and his family?

If you can spare even a little to make this adoptive family’s burden less, please use the Paypal button below or mail a check to the address provided. Jake, Elwood (who just can’t wait for Jake to be back to full speed), their folks and Almost Home thank you.
If you want to help AHDRS continue to help rescue groups such as these, please make a tax-deductible donation through the Paypal button below or send a contribution to:

AHDRS Jake Fund PO Box 9671 Greensboro, NC 27429-9671

 

 

~ Longfellow ~

January 2009

Longfellow has been in foster care for almost five months now and has come from a little one with flaccid rear legs that simply dragged behind him to a little one who can use his rear legs for mobility in his cart. He receives electro-stimulation with his acupuncture each week, which helps keep his back muscles strong while he continues to develop, and works out on a treadmill daily. He can mimic walking on the treadmill and carry his own weight to some extent, but still has problems maintaining balance. He stands by himself longer and longer each week during his daily weight-bearing exercises and can take one of two steps on his own. His youth is an asset to his outlook on life, but is a detriment to his walking as soon as we had hoped, as he never walked enough as a young puppy to have the memories an older dog would have. His foster mom has had to literally teach him to walk, but it is obvious he is getting the idea and the donations he receives are what makes it possible for him to continue to get the therapy he needs to make it all a reality. He sends many slurpy kisses to all his supporters!

At the tender age of 12 weeks, Longfellow became paralyzed by an accident that should never have happened. A five-year-old child was allowed to take this precious puppy and toss him repeatedly into the air, failing to catch him on a trip down. When Longfellow was taken to a vet clinic, he displayed neurological and spinal trauma. Signs of paralysis were apparent but he did have the ability to carry some weight, some motor ability in his right rear leg and his tail was wagging. Rather than being sent for an immediate consultation with a neurologist and the possibility of surgery being pursued, he was sent home with meds and instructions for crate rest. Whether that happened is questionable as five days later he was returned to the vet clinic with increased paralysis and with the owners’ instructions to euthanize him. The vet asked that he be surrendered to the clinic in hopes they could find him a home, yet still no consultation with a specialist was pursued and Longfellow was allowed to become increasingly active.

Three weeks have transpired since the initial trauma and it is extremely unlikely at this point that there will be a surgical solution. However, depending on the amount of neurological and spinal cord damage, there is a chance that therapy and acupuncture can help him regain much, if not all, function. From a very simple tug on Longfellow’s part when his foster mom kept “tormenting” him and pinching between his toes on his first day in foster care, this hope seems reasonable. However, until Longfellow has a CT scan or MRI we won’t know the amount of damage to his spinal cord nor if there is long-term neurological damage and won’t have a true picture of what might help him.

This is why we need your help. Expenses for a neurological evaluation and diagnostics will approach $1500 and long-term acupuncture, if an option, could approach another $500 or more. Longfellow’s foster mom has multiple special needs dogs in her home with monthly medical bills, and finances to take on one more are tight. But hearing Longfellow’s story tugged at more than one heart, and we knew we needed to help him get the medical attention he deserves and whatever long-term care he needs and his foster mom couldn’t deny him this chance. Even if this youngster can’t get back on his feet, a consultation will allow an adoptive home to know the extent of damage and have a full picture of what they will need to provide him for a long and happy life.

And happy it will be, because this boy will have it no other way. If half the battle to helping him regain some function is attitude, then that half of the battle is already won. In spite of being back on strict crate rest, this little boy remains joyful, eager to play and eager to be one of the pack. No doubt his will to walk will play a big role in his rehabilitation.

Now that he is safely in rescue, can you help him on his next step to recovery and make a contribution to assist with a consultation and diagnostic tests?

If you can, please make a tax-deductible donation through the Paypal button below or send a contribution to:
 

AHDRS Longfellow Fund PO Box 9671 Greensboro, NC 27429-9671

 

September 13, 2008


Longfellow has regained good muscle tone in his rear legs and can give a mighty pull with both legs as well as kick back. He is starting to attempt to stand up and will usually do it when at the water bowl or when fascinated by his cat playmates when they are beyond the baby gate. He also makes numerous attempts to stand and has even taken a few steps while in the yard. He rarely uses his cart so that he can, instead, be encouraged to get those legs under him. He still has no deep pain response and it is anticipated that his best chance for walking is if he can develop the skills to become a spinal walker. He receives water therapy so his legs can be “walked” in hopes he will gain a natural response to walking movements. (Canned cheese is a great motivator!)

Longfellow will soon face surgery to remove a portion of his tail, as he has developed neuropathic pain causing him to chew it. He is now on medication and it is hoped it is successful in stopping the pain, allowing his tail to be shortened only slightly so he will continue to have a “rudder” to help him balance as he learns to walk.

This little one most definitely does not know he has any limitations and would definitely not like hearing anyone say “poor boy.” Racing outside with the others, he’s often the first one across the yard! Longfellow will soon be ready to go to a new, forever home and will join our other Almost Home fosters on the Available Dogs page. If you are interested in adopting him, please complete an application so you will be first in line!

Longfellow and his foster mom thank everyone for their support and for making his on-going therapy and acupuncture possible!!    

August 20:

Longfellow had a myelogram today that revealed no compression and no fracture or other damage that could be helped by surgery. Findings indicate he had severe bruising and swelling at the time of the trauma. Longfellow’s vet feels certain that had he received the proper care with prolonged strict crate rest and medications that he would be walking today. Instead, he has permanent nerve damage. Given his young age, with long term therapy and acupuncture, the specialist and his vet feel there is a chance he can regain some ability to walk. He begins acupuncture next week which will be combined with daily therapy sessions. In the meantime, he’s now the proud owner of a cart and will soon be keeping up with the best of them.

Longfellow’s vet expenses total $1400 at this point. Can you help us meet this expense as well as assist his foster mom in meeting the weekly $40 acupuncture treatments?


 

Donations received in excess of the costs for a particular dog will be placed in the AHDRS Medical Fund and used to help other dogs in need.

Dachshunds we have helped

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