Chicos Rescue Journey (2024)

02/12/2019

Sorry!!!
I'm behind on posts!
Updates coming later today after vet appointment.
✌ & ❤ from Chico🐾🐾

01/11/2019

Chico had a good bath today! He behaves very well, considering these are, probably, the first baths he's had in his life😪
That sweet face hides the spirit of a protector. This puppy pad snuck in his crate and, oh well....
✌and ❤ from Chico🐾🐾

29/10/2019

Walkin da Man!!
10/25/19

24/10/2019

Finally received the results of Chicos lab work yesterday. Its just as we suspected, he has a pancreatic insufficiency or EPI, for short. He does not produce digestive enzymes😥
He started on prescription food last week and I can already see that his stools are becoming more formed! 🎉 🎊 🎉 🎊
This morning he started on his digestive enzymes. He'll have to have them, with every meal, for the remainder of his life. I'm excited to see how quickly he'll gain weight now!
These photos show him "sporting" his new vest. Its a bit loud, color wise, but no one will miss us while walking in the dark!
✌& ❤ from Chico🐾🐾

20/10/2019

Good, Sunday, morning from Chico!! Rain here in Louisiana. 😥☔☁😥☔☁
He's modeling his new sweater❤ They look more like mug shots.😒😒
Gotta teach him how to smile! 😊😊
Sadly, I had to staple the back to make it fit!😂
He made one walk with it and it came off😥 The movement of his front legs, gradually pulled the neck down his chest...oh well!
Going to get him a waterproof vest, that Velcros instead!
Wishing all a Blessed day!

17/10/2019

I, cannot, say enough to Thank Chicos "Aunt"
Glenda Spaulding❤❤
She has paid for Chicos food, toys, pumpkin and, now...She just paid for Chicos lab testing and food today!! 🎉🎉 She has enabled me to provide for Chico and deserves all the gratitude in the world!
Chico and I are so blessed to have crossed paths with this remarkable woman. ❤❤
Glenda lives in Indiana and has never "set eyes" on this boy. I would love for Chico to, someday, Thank her in person!
❤❤ from Chico🐾🐾
Aunt Glenda!

17/10/2019

Chico n I made it to PPH for lab work this morning. It was quiet a "trip!"
Chico donated a large, watery stool in the waiting area😖😖 To say his stools stink is an understatement!
Chico said that's one way to clear a room!! 😂😂
They even asked us to wait outside until they were ready to draw his blood.💉💉
We were banished!! 😒
Chico has, very little, muscle so his veins roll. They had to draw blood from the jugular vein in his neck. 😥
We got a bag of Prescription ID food for him. You wouldn't think a dog this skinny would need Low Fat food, but he's unable to digest fats. He ate it up! He has to fast for 12 hrs. prior to blood draw, so he was hungry!!
Thanks to Lisa Lemmons for your donation! ❤❤❤
Any donations can be called in to Pineville Pet Hospital @
318-449-4738
Peace & Love from Chico🐾

16/10/2019

Thanks to this awesome rescue for sponsoring Chico!!
https://lakecharlespitbullrescue.com/

16/10/2019

**October 14, 2019 was Chicos 3rd visit with Dr. Craig at Pineville Pet Hospital.
After discussing Chicos gastrointestinal issues, Dr.
Craig is positive that Chico has EPI, which is a pancreatic insufficiency resulting in a lack of production of digestive enzymes. Regardless of what or how much he eats, nutrients are not being absorbed by the small intestines😥 He will require digestive enzymes, prebiotics/probiotics and a special low fat/fiber diet for the remainder of his life.
Dogs with EPI can also have a Vitamin B12 depletion, resulting in the need of B12 injections, monthly, for life. 😥
EPI dogs also require periodic, antibiotic treatment due to SIBO. (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) This is due to the malabsorption of food giving bacteria a "feeding ground." 😡
The good news is that when properly diagnosed and treated, EPI dogs have a great chance at regaining weight and living a healthy life. His "people" will have to be diligent about his diet and medication regime.
Dogs with EPI, not treated, slowly starve and die of organ failure.😥
This diagnosis is hard enough for a family pet, but Chico, being a rescue dog, this adds expense that was not expected. Just the test to diagnose is $165. I'm unsure, at this point, what his initial cost will be for enzymes, antibiotics and B12 injections. After he is stabilized, these can be ordered online. The pre/probiotics will also need to be purchased online.
😥😥This worries me about his potential for adoption. It's hard enough to find homes for healthy pitties.
I'm hopeful for the day that people won't say, "You need to feed that dog!" 😡😡 If you know me, you know, NOTHING starves at my house!😂
On a positive note Chico, at 30.9 lbs, has gained about 5lbs since his journey began. 🎉❤🎊🎉❤🎊
Please keep us in your prayers as we start the process of adding about 30 more pounds! 🙏🙏
He will, then, be ready for heartworm treatment.
In the beginning, I said he was a "work in progress."
I just didn't realize how much work would be involved!
He's so worth it! ❤❤

15/10/2019

I can't comment, on your comments, only message option is available...any ideas? I've tried everything to change it! 😒😒

14/10/2019

3rd appointment with
Dr. Craig!
The ride there...Thanks Uncle Bubba for helping!
Now...the wait 😒

14/10/2019

Chicos Halloween costume!
Didn't last long! 😂

13/10/2019

The temperatures,
finally, dropping some in Louisiana.
May need a seamstress to custom fit a few sweaters for this boy!!!❤

12/10/2019

I'm a bit sad today. Chico has been with me for a month now. He's on high quality food, probably for the first time in his life. He's fed 3 smaller meals a day. As previously posted, he's on pre/probiotics, fiber, digestive enzymes and pumpkin to aid his digestion. He has to gain more weight in order for Dr. Craig to perform his neuter and heartworm treatment. Dr. Craig was reluctant to give the okay for administration of routine vaccinations due to his being 30+ pounds underweight. 😥
I have seen no improvement in Chicos intestinal issues.
He has severely, loose stools. All p**p smells,
but his odor is beyond the normal. 😖😖
As a nurse for 20 years, I have done research on Chicos symptoms and suspect his issues are with his small intestines. All nutrients are absorbed in the small intestines. Malabsorption can result in emaciation, regardless of food intake. He, of course, will need further testing by his veterinarian. These tests are quiet expensive and beyond what the average, animal rescue organization can pay.
In Chicos case, it could mean that, due to his chronic emaciation, no further vet care can be performed safely.
That would mean no future adoptive family for him. He's not adoptable without a diagnosis and treatment plan for his intestional disorder, followed by neuter
and HW treatment. I'm attaching a list that enables differentiation of small vs large intestinal symptoms.
This was taken directly from the Merck Veterinarian
Manuel. Chico suffers, daily, from every one of the small bowel symptoms.😥
This breaks my heart. I, as
his foster Mom, already love him, but cannot keep him. I'm just a "pit stop" on his "forever" home journey. ❤❤

12/10/2019

Aunt Glenda, Thank you again!! Pumpkin! Not just because it's Fall, it's good for
doggie bellies! 🎃🎃
Love from "Chico da Man"
❤🐾❤🐾

12/10/2019

"Chico da Man"
got a new toy today!!

12/10/2019

Thank you Aunt Glenda!
❤❤❤ from Chico!!!

12/10/2019

Squeak...Squeak
Squeak!!

12/10/2019

Chico still loves his toy! He has, finally, discovered how to make it squeak! ❤

11/10/2019

Chico's been here for a few weeks now and it's become obvious that he has some, fairly severe, intestional issues. He has chronic, loose stools and reflux type vomiting. I suspect this is causing a malabsorption of the nutrients in his food. It could be some of the reason he is so emaciated. 😥
I've researched and started him on a product that provides pre and probiotics, fiber, digestive enzymes and pumpkin to ease inflammation in his intestines. Yes, it has a funny name, but it has lots of good
belly stuff! Hopefully, it will help! 🙏🙏

10/10/2019

I don't think Chico has ever had the love of a person before😥
He's learning now. I was so happy the first time he, lovingly, licked my face❤
He has a lot to catch up on!

10/10/2019

These are miscellaneous pictures of Chicos life here!

10/10/2019

September 21, 2019
Chico sleeping like a baby❤

09/10/2019

Chico is one lucky boy! Thanks to his exposure on Saving Louisiana Animals FB page, he now has a benefactor from Indiana! She'll now be known as Aunt Glenda❤ While I put in the work to foster him, there's no way I can afford the necessary food, treats and supplies needed to properly care for Chico.
I hope Aunt Glenda knows how much she is admired and appreciated!❤
Chico has a long way to go, but we're not in it alone!

09/10/2019

**September 19, 2019**
Chicos 2nd Vet visit.
Today's visit was for lab and xrays. I'm proud to say that everything is within normal limits, with the exception of some anemia, which is to be expected considering his emaciation. Chico also had a bath! The techs all said he did very well!!!❤

07/10/2019

Sooo, I have a testimony for early spay/neuter. I was concerned about Chicos interactions with my Petie, obviously, another male.
Petie has been neutered since about 4 months old...
Now 17, and predominately blind, Petie's harmless unless you get in his face, then he's like a snapping turtle on steroids! 😂😂
Chico has him, majorly, confused by approaching him from the rear end and holding in the "hump" position. 😮😮 No Chico, it ain't happening! Your neuter can't come fast enough! 👍👍😷💉✂👍👍

07/10/2019

**September 19, 2019.** Thanks for the ride "Uncle
Bubba!" Heading for Chicos
2nd Vet visit at PPH.

05/10/2019

Yum!!!❤ Sept. 15, 2019

05/10/2019

Chico's doing, exceptionally, well with his crate training❤
He's up a bit high for now as Peties blindness limits major changes in the placement of new items in the house.
My place is so small, but we'll manage! They'll just have bunk beds for now!😂

28/09/2019

SEPTEMBER 15, 2019
Now to introduce Chico to the "King of the House"...Petie!!
Petie, at 17 and blind, knows a good dog when he smells it! Chico learned, first thing, that Petie will snap your nose if you, quickly, invade his personal, face space!
Chico, immediately, jumped back vs. snapping at Pete.
That's a good sign👍👍
Now, for Serena, my cat😒
This will be the determining factor for Chicos remaining here..I cannot put my pets in danger. Serena has been raised, 15 yrs, with dogs. She's odd, in the fact, that she prefers dogs to other cats😮
Chico is very curious about her. Serena doesn't run from him, like the average cat would! He minded rather well when told, NO, sternly with a tight grip on the leash!
Work in progress!❤

28/09/2019

SEPTEMBER 15, 2019
Chicos "coming to my house" date!
I had an XL crate, food, leash n collar, with ID, and a suprise in tow😀
The pics say it all...I don't think he's ever had a dog, squeaky toy! He latched onto it and let us know it was his!😂😂
Thank you Thomas Morris
and Noah for helping me get the crate situated and entertain Chico! ❤❤

27/09/2019

I think I have lost my mind😖
I've decided that I will foster Chico! I swore I would not foster a large dog. My love of rescue and rehabilitation made the decision for me.
Chico will be not be an easy undertaking. I'm disabled, with physical limitations, but will do my best to mold this guy into a pet that someone will love...other than me, of course!
He will, most likely, always have some issues...thanks to the tragic life he's had up until now. He'll be "a work in progress," for quiet some time. Keep us both in your prayers!! 🙏🙏🙏

27/09/2019

Well, it's been an impossible task trying to find a foster for Chico.
This poor guy, not only has the medical issues, but also appears to have never had training. He doesn't even comprehend how to love or be loved.😥 He wags his tail, but doesn't make eye contact, he's seems rather indifferent to receiving affection or attention. I believe he has been just a yard dog with very, little socialization. He does have some food and cat aggression.
This is so disheartening...that he is a
foster home away from a brand, new life. 😭

21/09/2019

Thank you, once again, Rachel Ducharme!❤
On September11, 2019
Chico was accepted by Lake Charles Pitt Bull Rescue!
They have facilitated a miracle for Chico🎈🎉❤
Now, the next big challenge, is a foster home. Foster homes and funding are the greatest needs for all rescues groups😥

19/09/2019

Chico needed major help! I reached out to an awesome, animal advocate
with his story and pictures.
Thank you Rachel Ducharme!!❤
With her help, enough money was raised to take Chico to Pineville Pet Hospital (PPH) for an office visit on 9/6/19.
Chico weighed in at a whopping 29.8 lbs!😥 He should weigh about 60 lbs.
He is, of course, strong Heartworm positive😥
Dr. Craig said he's probably been neglected for yrs. He's app. 3-5 yrs old.
He was treated for some intestinal upset resulting in loose stools n vomiting.
Who knows what a starving dog will try to eat😖😖
He behaved so well❤
We will follow up with another visit for baseline
lab work and xrays.

19/09/2019

Chico, formerly called Jack, was found in late July 2019, wandering in a remote area of Hessmer, LA.
Chico was severely emaciated, covered with fleas and filthy. It's obvious that he had not been cared for in a very, long time😥
He was taken in by a lady, who did not have the resources to care for him.
After 6 weeks, Chico had gained absolutely no weight.
She reached out for help on Facebook. I went to go see Chico, in hopes, I could help find a breed specific rescue to help this poor boy.
After the 1st visit, I knew,
something had to be done...
Soon!! 😭😭

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