Life of a Foster Dog

08/14/2023

If you have the means....they need help!
My heart breaks for all the people and animals suffering. 💔

Maui Humane
https://www.facebook.com/MauiHumaneSociety?mibextid=2JQ9oc
So many pets and families that need to be reunited. There was little notice of any of this....they have animals coming in daily needing medical attention. Every little bit helps.

Maui Food Bank
https://www.facebook.com/MauiFoodBank?mibextid=2JQ9oc
Providing food for survivors, those struggling, and volunteers who all need to be fed and helped in any way during this crisis.

Pacific Whale Foundation https://www.facebook.com/PacificWhaleFoundation?mibextid=2JQ9oc
They lost a boat and a lot of their folks have nothing left; no home, no nothing. Yet they've donated their remaining ships to relief efforts....moving critical communications, water, food, medical supplies where it's needed.

If you can, please consider supporting one or all of these organizations.....they need our help!

To protect & save the lives of Maui’s animals; accepting all in need, educating the community, ins

08/30/2022

Happy 3rd birthday to the Disney Litter!

05/23/2022

Great news! George recently had a recheck of all his labs. He has not been on any prescription medication and is only taking milk thistle. I'm happy to report that everything is within range and his numbers are actually a little bit better than they were 3 months ago. As long as he's doing well and feeling good we will move to a 6 month lab recheck.

03/18/2022

Our miracle man has been completely off all prescription medication for well over a week now without any issues! 🎉 The only thing he's taking daily is a liver support we get from Chewy. George will go in for repeat blood work in about 4 weeks to check his liver function and his red blood cells. Thank you for all the positive thoughts, continued prayers and love sent George's way the past 8 1/2 months. 💖

01/17/2022

01/14/2022

George had a great follow up appointment with Dr. Encarnacion at MedVet Dallas. His packed cell volume is 42%, was 40% on 12/22. We will decrease Cyclosporine to once every other day for 3 weeks and if doing well then discontinue. Ursodiol and Denamarin will continue daily. Lab work to be repeated in 6 weeks if no issues.

We appreciate every single thought, prayer and positive vibe sent George's way. Keep it up! We can finally see the light at the end of the very long tunnel. 💞

01/11/2022

George had a good post-op appointment with the eye specialist today. His left eye looks great. Goodbye cone of shame and eye ointment! 😁

It was recommended that we keep an extremely close watch of his eyes and follow up with any changes. Otherwise he will be seen in 4 months for a recheck.

Thank you very much for sending George lots of love, positive thoughts and prayers. 💖

01/10/2022

George's 3rd eyelid Histopathology report came back today....Squamous Cell Carcinoma. The dreaded "C". 😭 Conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma is an uncommon tumor in dogs. Complete excision can be curative so thankfully the entire 3rd eyelid was removed. The risk of metastatic disease is low but large case series have not been studied.

Dr. Eng said that it's so rare, especially for the 3rd eyelid, that she's not sure what caused it or if the prolonged use of immunosuppressant medication for his IMHA played a role. We will talk to the internal medicine specialist on Thursday and hopefully continue the weaning of the immunosuppressant medication.

Please continue to send George love, positive thoughts and prayers. He's been through so much the past 6 months.

12/30/2021

Today was much longer, more stressful and way more complicated than anticipated. The mass on George's 3rd eyelid has grown significantly since his initial evaluation with the eye specialist last week and was more involved than expected. Dr. Eng had to put George under complete anesthesia and remove the entire 3rd eyelid today, which wasn't planned. The tissue removed will be sent out for testing and we should have the results back in 1-2 weeks. His IMHA condition makes prescribing medication difficult for fear of a relapse. We only decided on a topical ointment and pain medication for now. George is not feeling very well this evening and has to wear the cone of shame for 2 weeks until his follow up appointment with Dr. Eng on January 11th.

We appreciate the continued positive thoughts and prayers for George. Thank you! 💕

12/28/2021

George will be going back to the eye specialist early tomorrow morning to have the rapidly growing mass to his 3rd eyelid removed. It's only been 7 weeks since a tiny pin dot showed up. Please send George prayers and positive thoughts for an uneventful and successful surgery. We pray that the pathology report doesn't come back with the dreaded "C" word. George is still on immunosuppressant medication for IMHA.

12/06/2021

George had a follow up appointment with Dr. Encarnacion at MedVet Dallas last week. His packed cell volume was 40% (previously 43%). Since his PCV is remaining adequate the Prednisone was discontinued. His 3 other medications will remain the same.

A moderate heart murmur was detected. George also has an unknown growth on the 3rd eyelid of his left eye. We are going to watch the heart murmur and he's scheduled to see an eye specialist in several weeks.

Please continue to send George lots of prayers and positive thoughts as his medical journey continues. 🐾 💖

11/12/2021

Great news!!! Look at those beautiful pink gums!

George had a follow up appointment with Dr. Encarnacion, internal medicine specialist, at MedVet Dallas yesterday. His packed cell volume has increased to 43%, it has been 38% the last two visits (normal is 35-55%). George gained 0.2 pounds this past month and now weighs 60.2 pounds. He is more active, trotts around the yard and has even started hunting with Rhett again. I'm so thankful for his continued progress.

Prednisone will be decreased from 1/2 tablet daily to 1/2 tablet every other day. Liver medications and immunosuppressant medication will stay the same. We will continue the slow weaning of medications to hopefully prevent a relapse.

Thank you so much for the continued prayers, positive thoughts and good vibes being sent George's way! We appreciate everything!!

10/14/2021

George update:

George had his follow up appointment with Dr. Encarnacion, internal medicine specialist, at MedVet Dallas this week. He's doing well. His packed cell volume is maintaining at 38%, it was 38% at his last visit (normal is 35-55%). George gained just over 2 pounds this past month and is now up to 60 pounds. The Prednisone is being decreased from 1/2 a tablet twice a day to 1/4 tablet twice a day. The liver medication, immunosuppressant medication and kidney medication will stay the same until his next appointment in a month. We will continue the slow weaning of medications to hopefully prevent a relapse.

Thank you very much for the continued prayers, positive thoughts and good vibes being sent George's way! We appreciate every single person who has taken the time to think of George over the last few months. Thank you again!! 🙏

09/23/2021

George recently had a follow up appointment with his internal medicine specialist. He's doing well and is making progress. His packed cell volume is maintaining at 38%, was 36% at his last visit (normal is 35-55%). George gained another 2.8 pounds. He's up to 57.8 pounds. Prednisone is being decreased from 1 tab twice a day to 1/2 a tab twice a day. The immunosuppressant, liver and kidney medication will stay the same until his next appointment. It was explained that the slow weaning of medications is important to help prevent a relapse.

Please keep the prayers, positive thoughts and good vibes coming! George has fought so hard and continues to do so. We appreciate every one! Thank you!!

08/27/2021

George had a follow up appointment with the internal medicine specialist. He's doing well and making progress. His packed cell volume is maintaining at 36%, most of his levels are getting closer to being within normal range and he's gained 3 pounds. The Prednisone is being decreased from 1 1/2 tabs twice a day to 1 tab twice a day and everything else is staying the same for 3 weeks. Fingers crossed that he does well with the medication decrease and continues to make improvements all the way around.

08/18/2021

I sit and watch George sleep for hours each day absorbing every sound he makes and every detail of his thin and frail body. The acute liver injury and secondary illness has wrecked significant havock on George's body over the past 5 1/2 weeks. George continues to fight and is showing improvement. We continue to pray for his healing and that his blood work at the end of next week shows positive results.

08/14/2021

What a difference a day makes! George has been up wagging his tail, went outside, ate well for breakfast and is now chewing on beef femur bones. Thank you so much for all the well wishes, positive vibes and prayers for George. 💖

08/13/2021

George had his follow up appointment with Dr. Encarnacion, internal medicine specialist at MedVet Dallas, this afternoon for repeat blood work and examination. Unfortunately with the rise in COVID-19 cases you can no longer enter the facility with your pet.

We did not receive the news we hoped for. George's packed cell volume dropped from 24% on 7/29 to 16% today. His heart rate was also elevated, 150 at rest (80-120 is normal). Another blood transfusion was recommended due to the risk of cardiovascular collapse. The rest of his blood work should be available tomorrow.

George stayed at MedVet Dallas for the recommended blood transfusion and is in the ICU.

Please continue to send George positive thoughts and keep him in your prayers.

08/07/2021

After about 4 weeks of not eating on his own, George finally started eating a little this week. He is very selective and only eating hot dogs, beef stew meat, calf liver and pig ears so far. George is looking so much better, except for his skeleton head. The muscle wasting is significant and it's so sunken in it's heartbreaking. These pictures were taken while he was waiting for bites of hot dog.

While his condition is still guarded, we are extremely thankful for the progress he's made. Please continue to pray for George's strength and healing. Thank you so much! 💖

07/31/2021

George had his follow up appointment with Dr. Encarnacion, internal medicine specialist, at MedVet Dallas Thursday afternoon. Repeat blood work showed that his packed cell volume was 24-26%, it was 26% just before he came home after his blood transfusion on 7/27, so he is holding his own. Due to red blood cell agglutination (clumping), Plavix (blood thinner) was added to his daily meditations. We don't have the results of the rest of his blood work back yet, should know on Monday.

There's been ups and downs over the past few days. George doesn't have much energy and still doesn't eat on his own, I syringe feed him 4 times a day. He now has 9 medications a day with many twice a day. There are some good signs. His coloring continues to improve and he has shown some interest in chewing on a bone briefly. We are both exhausted but thankful for where we are today.

IMHA has been described as a marathon and not a sprint and an extremely cruel autoimmune disease. These first few weeks following diagnosis are critical and approximately 50% don't make it.

Please keep sending positive thoughts and prayers George's way. Thank you!

07/28/2021

Praying for a miracle 🙏

Our chances were described yesterday by the specialist as catching lightning in a bottle. Well, if anyone can it's George. Let's catch ⚡ in a bottle!!!

Please keep sending all the prayers, good wishes and vibes George's way.

Our sweet boy is fighting and we are not giving up on George. His bone marrow just isn't producing new red blood cells (non-regenerative) and what he has is being attacked by his own body (autoimmune condition). We are praying the bone marrow kicks in production of those much needed RBC's.

07/27/2021

Words you never want to hear: secondary IMHA (Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia) and severe non-regenerative anemia, which is rare. George's case is complex. The presentation is extremely unusual.

George will be coming home this afternoon on a treatment plan that includes immuno suppressive medications. The prognosis is very poor. I don't know how much more my heart can break. 💔

07/26/2021

Please continue to send George positive thoughts and prayers. George is back as an inpatient at MedVet Dallas. He continued to decline over the weekend and could barely walk this morning. We are waiting on additional lab work. In the meantime he's being prepped for a blood transfusion. My heart is so heavy.

07/24/2021

George and I had a very long day yesterday. He followed up with MedVet Dallas and was evaluated
by Dr. Aldridge, internal medicine specialist. New lab work was completed, he was examined and his records were reviewed.

The good news is that his liver values are continuing to improve: ALT is 166 (between 10-125 is normal), AST is 32 (between 11-46 is normal) and ALPK is 429. His clotting times are within normal range. Bilirubin levels have decreased from 16.1 to 4 (0.9 is high end of normal).

The bad news is that his CBC is abnormal. White blood cells are elevated more than they were on the 15th and his hematocrit has decreased to 18 (39-58 is normal). George is anemic. He's becoming more lethargic. Dr. Aldridge explained that there's systemic inflammation of unknown cause and she is worried about GI bleeding. His case, presentation and course is odd and doesn't fit anything particular.

George still has absolutely no interest in food. He has lost 4 pounds this week despite syringe feedings. We've been adding Nutri-Cal to his feedings but need to get more calories into him to just meet his resting caloric need.

Modifications to his treatment plan include: B12 injection given yesterday; discontinue Doxycycline; begin Clindamycin 2x's a day (to cover possible unknown bacterial infection); begin Prilosec (due to concern for GI bleeding); begin Zofran (for nausea); continue Clavamox 2x's a day, Denamarin and Ursodiol.

We will consider a blood transfusion if lethargy worsens and his heart rate and respirations increase.

George will follow up with Dr. Aldridge at MedVet Dallas early Wednesday morning for repeat lab work, or sooner if medically necessary.

Please continue to send George all the positive thoughts, energy, pray for his healing and that he begins eating soon. We appreciate all of you! Thank you!! 🐾❤️-George

07/21/2021

George is continuing to improve slowly and we are so thankful. The bruising to his abdomen and on the inside of his ears has resolved. His coloring is looking a little better every day. Medications are now down to 5 a day from 7, a few are still 2x's a day.

George still has absolutely no interest in eating no matter what is presented to him. We are still having to syringe feed him 4-5 times a day. We've added Nutri-Cal to his feedings, a high calorie nutritional gel, in hopes to keep his calorie content up. Hopefully this will improve soon.

Follow up appointment with the internal medicine specialist is on Friday. We should get new lab work to see where his liver enzyme levels, platelets and clotting times are currently.

Please continue to send George positive thoughts and prayers as he continues on his healing journey. We truly appreciate it. Thank you! ❤️

07/15/2021

George is extremely excited to be heading home! He couldn't get out of the building fast enough.

George's gums, eyes and belly are still yellow and he has bruises all over his belly and in his ears. He's got a long list of medications, restrictions and things for us to keep a very close eye on. George will follow up with an internal medicine doctor next Friday. We have to restrict his activity and keep a close eye out for bleeding. We are so thankful for his improvement but still guarded on his prognosis.

Thank you very much for all the thoughts and prayers through George's medical journey!