Hootie's Rescue Haven

03/03/2025

Good Morning! Hope everyone is having a great start to your week. Just a reminder about our delicious fundraiser on Friday. Visit the Hanley Lion's Choice on Friday between 4pm & 8pm, mention Hootie's or bring in this flyer and a portion of your purchase price will be donated to Hootie's. Friday dinner covered! Thanks for helping us in all the ways you do.

03/02/2025

Hello! Going to finish dog vaccines with the Bordetella vaccine and the Canine influenza vaccine.

Bordetella is also known as ‘kennel cough,’ but the more descriptive name is CAININE INFECTIOUS RESPIRATORY DISEASE COMPLEX(CIRDC). CIRDC is a highly contagious illness affecting the respiratory tract in dogs. All breeds and ages are susceptible. As the name "kennel cough" suggests, dogs at particular risk are those exposed to settings where multiple dogs are typically gathered or housed, such as kennels, shelters, and daycare facilities.

Several different types of bacteria and viruses can contribute to CIRDC, and dogs can be infected by two or more of these organisms at the same time. The most common agents associated with CIRDC include canine adenovirus 2, canine respiratory coronavirus, canine herpesvirus, canine pneumovirus, canine parainfluenza virus, B. bronchiseptica, Streptococcus equi, subspecies zooepidemicus, and Mycoplasma. Vaccination protects your dog against only 3 of the agents listed above. B. bronchiseptica is found in the bordetella vaccine and canine adenovirus 2 and canine parainfluenza virus are found in the ‘distemper’ vaccine. Now you see why a ‘fully vaccinated’ dog can and often does contract kennel cough.

The classic sign of CIRDC is a frequent, honking cough that comes on suddenly. This cough has also been described as gagging or retching, and it can involve froth that looks like vomit. Coughing generally worsens with activity or exercise, which can irritate the airways. Even so, not all dogs with CIRDC will have a cough. Other common signs include sneezing and a runny nose or eyes.

In most cases of CIRDC, the illness is mild, and dogs fully recover within 7 to 10 days. However, depending on the infecting organism(s) and the dog's ability to fight them, some dogs may develop more severe signs like lethargy, decreased appetite, fever, productive cough, and rapid or labored breathing, which can signal that bacteria have infected the lungs (bacterial pneumonia).

Most dogs with CIRDC are contagious before they start showing signs. Because of this, the disease can be difficult to control. It can spread rapidly, leading to outbreaks—particularly in multiple-dog settings. Some CIRDC-associated organisms are also quite hardy, able to survive in the environment for weeks, making controlling the spread of infection even more challenging.

Dogs can catch CIRDC through close or direct contact (e.g., licking or nuzzling) with infected dogs, breathing in cough or sneeze droplets from infected dogs, and exposure to droplet-contaminated items such as toys, bedding, people's hands, or water bowls. The risk of infection is especially high when dogs are in close contact with other infected dogs for long periods of time.

If you suspect your dog has CIRDC, it is important to stop the disease from spreading by keeping the dog away from other dogs until fully recovered. Some of the CIRDC-associated bacteria/viruses (e.g., Bordetella bronchiseptica, Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus, and canine influenza virus) can infect and cause illness in cats.

There is no special drug for dogs with CIRDC. The treatment approach depends on how sick the dog is. Most mildly affected dogs will quickly make a full recovery with basic supportive care aimed at avoiding situations that promote coughing and irritate airways. This means encouraging the dog to rest and avoiding excitement and neck leashes. Dogs with more severe illness may benefit from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (to reduce fever and inflammation) and fluids (to treat dehydration).

Antibiotics are not usually necessary or recommended unless there are signs of bacterial pneumonia, including illness that lasts more than 10 days.

CANINE INFLUENZA (dog flu) is a contagious respiratory disease in dogs, caused by specific type A influenza viruses. It is spread by dog-to-dog contact, aerosolization, and contaminated objects. While most infections are mild with a persistent cough, a vaccine has been developed TO LESSEN THE SEVERITY OF SYMPTOMS.

H3N2 canine influenza viruses are not endemic in dogs in the United States but multiple, localized outbreaks with regional die-outs continue to occur, seeded by repeated re-introductions from Asia. H3N8 canine influenza viruses have not been reported since 2016 and do not appear to be actively circulating anymore. Because of this data from the CDC, I do not recommend the canine influenza vaccine at this time.

02/23/2025

Welcome to Science Sunday! The birds are singing, the sun is shining, and I think spring is finally just around the corner!

Today, let’s talk about the Feline Distemper Vaccine. Again, this vaccine is misnamed since it is a collection of 3 entities instead of just the distemper vaccine it is named for. Let’s look at each part.

FELINE VIRAL RHINOTRACHEITIS (FVR) is a common respiratory disease in cats caused by the feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1). It was first isolated from cats in 1958 in the US. FVR spreads through direct contact with infected cats or their secretions. Cats of all ages can be affected, with kittens and young cats being more susceptible. FVR is very contagious and can cause severe disease, including death from pneumonia. All cat species are susceptible to FVR; in fact, FHV-1 has caused a fatal encephalitis in lions in Germany.

Initial signs of FVR include coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, fever (up to 106), loss of appetite and corneal ulcers. Secondary bacterial infections can cause clinical signs for weeks. Cats can also be carriers and can shed the virus intermittently throughout their entire life.

FELINE CALICIVIRUS (FCV) is a highly contagious virus that causes a mild to severe respiratory infection and oral disease in cats. FCV belongs to a large family of viruses named Caliciviridae, whose members infect a wide range of animals, including rabbits, livestock, reptiles, birds and amphibians. The human norovirus, which causes a brief but unpleasant gastrointestinal disease, is also a member of the Caliciviridae family.

Several strains of FCV circulate in domestic and wild cats. The virus mutates readily, leading to new strains that may not be fully covered by existing vaccines. Strains vary in the severity of the disease that they cause. The ability of the virus to mutate likely explains why after 40 years of vaccinating against FCV, outbreaks still frequently occur. Rarely, a mutant strain of FCV will spontaneously arise that causes very serious disease with multiple organ damage or even death.

FCV spreads through direct contact with the saliva, nasal mucus and eye discharge of infected cats and through aerosol droplets that spread when cats sneeze. Some cats become long-term carriers and continue to shed the virus on and off for months.

FCV is a hardy virus that survives on surfaces for up to a month in certain environments. Humans that handle infected cats can inadvertently transfer the virus to new animals. Objects that come in contact with a cat’s bodily fluids, such as food bowls, litter boxes or bedding, can also be a source of infection.

FELINE PANLEUKOPENIA (Feline Distemper or Feline Parvo) is a highly contagious, often fatal, viral disease of cats that is seen worldwide. Kittens are affected most severely. The causative parvovirus is very resistant; it can persist for 1 year at room temperature in the environment. Feline panleukopenia is now diagnosed infrequently by veterinarians in many countries, presumably as a consequence of widespread vaccine use. However, infection rates remain high in some unvaccinated cat populations, and the disease occasionally is seen in vaccinated, pedigreed kittens that have been exposed to a high virus challenge. In 2019, Feline panleukopenia was recognized as a re-emergent disease in Australia due to failure to vaccinate. There, large outbreaks occurred in unvaccinated cats in shelters, and there has been spread among pet cats in the wider community.

Cats are infected oronasally by exposure to infected animals, their f***s, secretions, or contaminated items such as feeding bowls. FPV infects and destroys cells in bone marrow, lymphoid tissues, intestinal epithelium, and—in very young animals—parts of the brain and eye. In pregnant queens, the virus may spread transplacentally to cause embryonic resorption, fetal mummification, abortion, or stillbirth.

The feline ‘distemper’ vaccine is given at the same intervals as we give the distemper vaccine to dogs: every 2-4 weeks until they reach 16 weeks of age and then every 3 years in their adult lives. I continue to feel that the PureVax line of vaccines are the best on the market for administration to cats. These vaccines were developed exclusively for use in cats and do not contain adjuvants.

02/22/2025

Hello!

Have a delicious way to support Hootie's next month. On March 7th from 4pm-8pm at the Lion's Choice at 1605 S. Hanley Rd., present this flyer or mention Hootie's when you order and a part of your purchase price will be donated to Hootie's.

An inexpensive way to support a good cause. Thanks for your support!

02/20/2025

Hi!

With the recent snow and the condition of the streets in the city, Hootie's has decided not to participate as a group in the dog parade this year. If you go, make sure you post some pics!

02/17/2025

When I was little, mom and I would go out after it snowed to look for tracks to see who had come to visit us. Saw these today and they made me smile.

02/16/2025

Hello! Lot of ground to cover here, so let’s get started.

Today we are tackling the canine distemper vaccine. This name is misleading, since a distemper vaccine is actually a combination vaccine that protects against more than just the distemper virus. These vaccines have multiple entities within this one vaccine. The viruses and bacteria being vaccinated for can and do vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Let’s take these vaccines apart and see what your veterinarian is actually putting into your dog when they give a distemper vaccine.

Canine distemper (CDV) is a highly contagious virus caused by the paramyxovirus. It is seen in dogs around the world, but it can also affect ferrets, racoons, skunks, grey foxes, and many other animals. Canine distemper affects the gastrointestinal, respiratory, skin, immune, and central nervous systems. CDV vaccines are considered CORE vaccines, recommended for all dogs regardless of geographical location. The minimum age to begin the primary vaccination protocol in puppies is 6–8 wks. Modified-live vaccines can be blocked, however, by maternal antibodies received by the puppy in mom’s milk. These maternal antibodies decline exponentially over time and are usually absent by 12–14 wks of age. Revaccination is therefore recommended at 2 to 4 wk intervals until greater than 16 wks old.

After the primary puppy series of vaccinations, a booster should be administered within 1 yr. Thereafter, interval boosters every 3 yrs are recommended; annual boosters are not necessary. Longer (>3 yrs) duration of immunity after vaccination has been suggested but is largely unsubstantiated in the peer-reviewed literature. At my practice, puppies are vaccinated every 4 weeks until they reach 16 weeks of age. Adults are vaccinated every 3 years. Unlike the rabies vaccine, there is not a labeled 1-year vaccine or 3-year vaccine. It is up to the discretion of the veterinarian as to how long they feel that the vaccine is protective in their patient.

Infectious canine hepatitis is a viral infection that mainly affects puppies and young dogs. It is caused by type 1 of the adenovirus. Dogs can catch infectious hepatitis from an infected dog, from going somewhere an infected dog has been or touching something an infected dog has touched. Symptoms of hepatitis in dogs include fever, abdominal pain, jaundice and bleeding gums. There is no cure for hepatitis in dogs, so prevention is key. The only way to effectively avoid it is through vaccination. This vaccine is included in the distemper vaccines at my practice.

Canine Adenovirus Type 2 (CAV-2) causes respiratory disease in dogs and is associated with canine infectious tracheobronchitis (kennel cough). Common signs of CAV-2 infection are mainly respiratory symptoms. All breeds of dogs are equally susceptible. Treatment may not be necessary for subclinical infections. This vaccine is included in the distemper vaccines at my practice.

Canine parainfluenza is a highly contagious respiratory virus that affects dogs of all ages. It is one of several viruses that can contribute to kennel cough, a common term used to describe a complex of respiratory infections in dogs. It is spread through contact with infected dogs or through airborne droplets from coughing or sneezing. The virus can cause a range of symptoms and can lead to more severe respiratory infections if left untreated. This vaccine is included in the distemper vaccines at my practice.

Canine parvovirus (CPV) has been known since the late 1970s and despite intensive vaccination this virus still represents one of the main causes of acute gastroenteritis and death in puppies. The survival rate of dogs treated by a veterinarian range from 68 to 92 percent. There is no medication to kill the virus, but early detection and symptom management can lead to recovery. Vaccination against the virus is an effective way to prevent parvo. This vaccine is included in the distemper vaccines at my practice.

Leptospira canicola is a bacterial infection that causes serious illness in dogs, damaging vital organs such as the liver and kidneys. Dogs commonly come in contact with these bacteria if they live on a farm, kill rodents or spend time swimming.

Leptospirosis icterohaemorrhagica is a sporadic and epidemic disease which is usually characterized by jaundice and hemorrhage. The organism is common in rats. It is probably transmitted by contaminated water or soil through the GI tract or skin.

The lepto vaccines are not included in the distemper vaccines at my practice. AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) has just recommended that Lepto be made a CORE vaccine that is administered to every dog starting at 12 weeks and then being boosted annually. Having seen severe adverse reactions to this vaccine, especially in the young, I am reluctant to start giving this vaccine across the board as are many of my colleagues. By separating lepto from the distemper vaccine and giving it as its own vaccine, I have seen a significant decrease in adverse reactions. I will continue to monitor the prevalence of lepto in our area and will continue to evaluate my patients on an individual basis when it comes to this and all vaccinations.

Lastly, Canine Coronavirus disease (CCoV) is a highly infectious intestinal disease in dogs, especially puppies. Canine coronavirus is usually short-lived but may cause considerable abdominal discomfort for a few days in infected dogs. This may be an important vaccine for puppies in a kennel or breeder situation. Vaccinated or non-vaccinated adults may experience mild symptoms, but their mature immune systems usually get the virus under control quickly with no treatment necessary. This vaccine is not included in the distemper vaccine that is given at my practice.

No vaccine is 100% protective. Appropriate vaccination choices at appropriate intervals are your best chance of keeping your fuzzy friend healthy.

02/11/2025

Good News!

Miss B's check-up with Dr. Kersting went very well yesterday. He removed all her sutures and thinks that her healing is coming along well. She has another 2 weeks of antibiotics, then we will try to address her feet. This will probably entail surgery to remove the thick callous she has formed on the bottom of her feet due to her chronic foot infection. Will keep you posted.

02/10/2025

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8YSxnc3/

This video is a MUST WATCH for pet parents. Ties in beautifully with the Science Sundays we have been having and is timely. It is about 7 minutes long, but it is knowledge that pet parents must have. Thanks, Mary, for seeing this and passing it along.

76.4K likes, 2491 comments. “My H5N1 update as a veterinarian. It’s long at a little over 7 minutes. Please listen. I just want to help. 😞”

02/09/2025

Hi, Everyone! It’s Science Sunday. Grab your cup of joe and let’s go!

Every year in the US, there are more cats diagnosed with rabies than dogs. When we started vaccinating cats for rabies and Feline Leukemia, we noted an increased development of tumors at or near the injection site. These were named Feline Injection Site Sarcomas or FISSs.

FISSs are malignant tumors. Conflicting data indicate FISSs develop as infrequently as less than 1 case per 10,000 vaccinated cats or as often as 1 in 1000 vaccinated cats. Tumors can also occur secondary to injections of steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics; microchip implantation; and in response to nonabsorbable surgical suture material. FISSs are highly locally invasive and differ from non–injection site sarcomas in behavior, including growth rate (more rapid), tissue of origin (typically subcutaneous), and metastatic potential (can be higher). The precise reason for the formation of these tumors is unknown.

In 1997 the Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force (VAFSTF) established specific anatomic recommendations for sites of vaccine administration. This was done to better track any association of sarcoma development with a specific vaccine, as well as to potentially improve surgical control of tumors. In 2013, the American Association of Feline Practitioners Feline Vaccine Advisory Panel put forth the following guidelines:

• Rabies vaccines: right pelvic limb
• FeLV vaccines: left pelvic limb
• All other vaccines: right thoracic limb

Vaccination in these locations does not decrease the chance of tumor formation but allows us to better link reactions to specific vaccines. In addition to the exact location of administration, veterinarians should document the type of vaccine, the manufacturer, and the serial number. The goal of such record keeping is for tracking purposes only.

Strategies to prevent or reduce the risk of FISSs include:

1. Vaccinating on the leg so that if a tumor develops, the leg can be amputated, and the cat’s life may be saved.

2. Increasing the interval between vaccinations. While rabies vaccination provides a duration of immunity greater than 3 years, many local and/or state organizations require annual revaccination. At my practice, adult cats are vaccinated every 3 years.

3. Avoid using adjuvanted vaccines. Adjuvants enhance the efficacy of vaccines partially by creating inflammation. Merial vaccines have been the leader in creating effective, non-adjuvanted vaccines for cats. Merial is now owned by Boehringer-Ingelheim. This line of vaccines is called PureVax. These vaccines are more expensive than others, but I feel that they give the best protection from disease and FISSs in the industry. These vaccines have been developed for cats specifically. If you look at the IMRAB vaccine that I give to dogs, there is a long list of animals that this vaccine may be given to, thus it does not address the problem of FISSs that is particular to our feline friends. Non-adjuvanted vaccines are recommended by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) for administration to cats whenever possible.

4. Administer vaccines in the subcutaneous layer, not in the muscle layer. This hurts less but also makes tumor formation easier to spot if one should develop.

There has been lots of talk in the community about giving a smaller vaccine dose to smaller animals. Immunity is like an on/off switch. There is a threshold amount of vaccine that must be given for an immune response to occur. Vaccines are usually 1ml of volume. PureVax has developed a 1/2 ml volume rabies vaccine for cats. This was done to reduce pain at the injection site, not to give the cat less vaccine. There is the same amount of vaccine in the new vaccine, but it is now formulated so that it can be dissolved in ½ ml of sterile water for injection.

02/04/2025

She's home!!!

Miss B came home this am after having surgery at Dr. Kerstings yesterday to repair where Tom ripped open the back of her head, where he left a 2" laceration from spurring her on the left side and where he punctured her chest on the right side. Miraculously, she is eating and appears comfortable. Obviously, we will be designing a new enclosure for her away from 'bad first date' Tom. She has a long road ahead of her, but we will be right there helping her.

02/03/2025

Good Morning!

Some updates for everyone. Wanted to know if anyone was interested in participating in the Soulard Dog Parade this year? The parade is Sunday, February 23rd at 1:00. We can take the Hootie's banner and I have Hootie's Blue bandanas for our kids to wear. Let me know if anyone is interested.

More good news! Bonnie went to her forever home yesterday. She was recently on Fox2 with Tim Ezell and her parents saw her and gave us a call.

Now for some more somber news. We had been looking for a companion for Tom, our turkey. We took in a turkey that had trouble walking due to infected feet and an infected eye. We named her Beatrice and call her Ms. B. We took her to Dr. Kersting and the medical regimen he prescribed was working beautifully. She was standing and tentatively walking and eating well. She even layed an egg. Yesterday we went out and Tom had injured her. He ripped the skin off the back of her head and spurred her on both sides of her body. She has an appt today with Dr. Kerstings team at 11:15 to see what other miracles they have up their sleeves. Say an extra prayer today for Ms. B.

02/02/2025

Welcome to Science Sunday!

Today’s topic is the canine rabies vaccine. In 1885, Louis Pasteur was presented with a 9-year-old boy who had been mauled by a rabid dog. The rabies vaccine had only been tested in dogs and rabbits at that time, but it was obvious that the boy would not survive without medical intervention. Every day for 10 days, the boy was given 12 doses of the vaccine. A month later, the boy had recovered. Unfortunately, this major breakthrough was too late for Edgar Allan Poe who died from rabies in 1849 which he contracted while feeding feral cats.

Rabies is responsible for tens of thousands of human deaths annually, with infections usually following a bite or scratch from a rabies-infected animal. According to the World Health Organization, rabies-infected dogs serve as the main source of human rabies transmission globally, contributing up to 99% of all rabies cases in humans, while in the Americas, bats are the most common source of human infections. In the U.S., the dog rabies variant, once endemic in small animals, has now been nearly eradicated. However, wildlife species, which carry their own rabies variants, present a constant danger of reintroduction of rabies to dogs. In 2024, there were 23 confirmed cases of rabies in Missouri with 22 of those cases found in bats and 1 in a cat. 8 of those cases were found in the St. Louis region.

While in vet school, I was presented with a litter of golden retriever puppies, along with the mom and dad, from a backyard breeder. They had not vaccinated any of the dogs. They were severely ill and near death. They had all attacked and killed a racoon in the yard 2-3 weeks previously. All dogs were humanely euthanized. Blood tests and analysis of their brains after euthanasia found that they were infected with both rabies and distemper.

Virtually all mammals are susceptible to rabies infection, including domestic animals (e.g., dogs, cats, cattle, horses) as well as wild mammalian reservoir populations (e.g., raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats). Regardless of the species affected, rabies causes acute, progressive encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) which is usually fatal.

All rabies vaccines administered in the U.S. and Canada are inactivated, or killed, meaning the virus has been processed so it can't cause disease. While most vaccines require two to four initial boosters, the rabies vaccine is a little different. Like other killed vaccines, the initial dose of a rabies vaccine triggers the immune system to be able to create antibodies that can fight rabies if the dog is ever exposed to the virus. The rabies vaccine is so effective that it's very rare for dogs who've been vaccinated to become infected.

Vaccine antibodies wane over time, causing the rabies vaccine to lose its efficacy. This is why dogs must get follow-up booster doses. Dogs usually receive one booster a year after their initial shot and then get it once every one to three years to maintain immunity. In most areas, keeping your dog up to date on their rabies vaccine is required by law.

Because vaccines work by stimulating the immune system, the side effects of rabies vaccine in dogs are usually due to a stimulated immune system. Side effects can include mild fever, mild loss of appetite and mild to moderate loss of energy for 24 to 36 hours after vaccination. It's also possible for dogs to experience soreness and mild swelling at the injection site. Occasionally, dogs develop a small, painless swelling at the injection site that can last for a couple of weeks. In rare cases, dogs may develop a small, circular area of hair loss at the site of injection.

Anaphylactic reaction can occur with the introduction of any substance into the body. Nuts, fish, milk, insect stings, penicillin and vaccines are a few substances that can cause allergic reactions that can progress to anaphylaxis. This usually occurs within a few seconds or minutes of exposure to allergic substances. This involves hives, swelling and sudden drop in the blood pressure and sometimes shock which can lead to death. I am allergic to aspirin and an accidental ingestion 15 years ago sent me to the emergency room. In my 22 years of being a veterinarian, I have never had a vaccine induced anaphylactic reaction in my practice. (Knock on wood.) I have heard of a few of my colleagues experiencing this in their practice, but it is usually a once-in-a-career event.

In the state of Missouri, a rabies vaccine may only be administered by a licensed veterinarian. The protocol at my practice is to give 1 rabies vaccine when a puppy, then give the vaccine every 3 years as an adult. A puppy must be at least 14 weeks old to receive a rabies vaccine. This is when the maternal antibodies that the puppy received from mom’s milk wane enough to not interfere with the vaccine so that the puppy can mount a meaningful immune response to the disease.

01/26/2025

Happy Sunday!

We have decided to reinstitute Science Sundays. I started Science Sundays during COVID to explain the science of the pandemic. Science Sundays will deal with questions that I receive from clients that I think may be interesting to others. The next few Sundays, we will cover common dog/cat vaccines.

The first animal vaccine was developed in 1879 by Louis Pasteur for a bacterial infection named chicken cholera. The objective of most vaccines is to imitate an infection by a specific bacteria/virus so that the body is stimulated to produce immunoglobins specifically trained to recognize a specific bacterial/viral threat and instruct the body on how to fight against the illness.

But no medicine is perfect. The veterinarians’ job is to assess their patients’ risk of encountering an illness and to protect their patient from that disease whenever necessary. We carefully consider prevalence of the disease, current health of the patient and potential adverse reactions from the vaccine. We also must take into consideration local laws regarding a vaccine.

Adverse reactions may include:

1. Mild toxicity which translates to reactions at the injection site such as transient pain and swelling.
2. Transient lethargy.
3. Allergic response to the vaccine and/or its components. At times, using modified live vaccines can cause the disease itself. This usually occurs in a patient that is already immuno-compromised, especially in situations where there is a current illness or in the aged.
4. Neurological complications that may or may not be fully reversible.

In the next few weeks, we will take an in depth look at common pet vaccines and evaluate the potential benefits and pitfalls of giving that vaccine.

I welcome questions that I will answer as quickly as I can.

01/12/2025

It is with the deepest sadness that I report that I had to euthanize Barbara, the emu. She was suffering and so frustrated at not being mobile. Her sad eyes told me this morning that she was ready to move on. Larry is, of course, devastated. We will keep a very close eye on him in the coming days.

I will never forget her big, beautiful, soulful eyes and her glamorous, long lashes. The way she cocked her head and listened as I introduced her to cicadas, grapes and her swimming pool. How she and Larry would twine necks and stare into each other's eyes. She will be missed by many.

01/10/2025

Beautiful snow day at the farm.

01/10/2025

Ok. No breaks, but we still don't know why she can't use that leg normally. Just ordered some pads for the walls of their barn and trying to come up with a device to aid her in walking/rehabbing that won't freak her out. When we brought her home, Larry was so happy and Barbara started eating and drinking as soon as she was in her barn. Had the best experience at Mizzou with Dr. Rivero and from all the advice I got from Dr. Dittmer from Kersting Veterinary Clinic and Bird Hopsital.

This is Larry when he was little.