Tag: microchip

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Hair of the Dog …

After what’s been termed the “transport from hell” due to problems with vehicles and people, Bubba from rural Kansas finally arrived Thursday at 10:30 p.m.   We met him at I-70 and Tower Road (affectionately known as “Saudi Aurora”) …  waaay east of Denver proper and at least an hour from our place in north Loveland.  Suffice it to say it was well after 1:00 a.m. by the time we got home, pottied dogs, played musical crates, and had the dogs settled in for the night with the thunderstorms rolling low in the distance.  Note to self:  order a Thundershirt for Frankers.

While waiting for the vet to come in and do the rescue exam the following morning, I finally got a really good look at Bubba.  Both eyes are badly infected and with hyperpigmentation of the eyes and the skin around the eyes.  I first suspected something amiss while watching him around the yard that morning … he moved like my Dad’s blind Tzu, cueing on sounds.  Flip the ear leathers back and it’s obvious he’s got yeast and/or bacteria going on with abundant ear hair … hot, red, tender to the touch and inflamed.

Bubba’s lower back, rear and upper hind legs are almost devoid of hair and covered in what ‘s termed “elephant skin” … black, wrinkled, hairless and with edema present.  While I’m familiar with the term, this is the first time I’ve actually seen it on one of my dogs.  The tail is the worst with raw, scaly skin and I surmise he’s been gnawing at it.  During the transport, he received a haircut with a pair of scissors and his new ‘do is the embodiment of pitiful.  As a friend would say, “He’s got a whole lot of ugly going on.”

During exam of his mouth, I note the front lower incisors cannot be seen.  Probing reveals a wad of hair completely covering the teeth.  I manage  to pull it off and up pop five very white incisors, indicative of a young dog.  My guess, less than two years of age.  I’m betting the chewing at his tail/rear is where he picked up the hair in his teeth and it’s been there a while based on the odor.  More surprising, however, is his bite — or lack thereof.  His jaws are mismatched and he has an underbite of at least 1-1/4 inch.  So much so that the top incisors rest on the lower jaw instead of meeting up with the upper incisors.  While Apso are supposed to have an underbite, this is utterly obscene — and especially so knowing that someone is breeding these malformed dogs for a profit.

The vet walks in and immediately starts laughing, all the while apologizing.  Po’ Bubba … he’s a damn pitiful sight with a story and a haircut to match.  I have to wonder if there wasn’t some message with the tying him to a fence post.  Unlike many of the breed, Bubba is exceptional during the exam, sitting or standing quietly while he’s poked and prodded.  Final diagnosis:  eyes and ears are infected, a bit of demodex (causing the skin issues), and dermatitis.  We’re loaded up with antibiotics, eye drops, ear ointment, and Advantage Multi to get the demodex in check.  While there, he’s wormed and a microchip implanted.  Instructions are given to return in three weeks for follow-up; the eyes are a bit worrisome as it could be KCS or “dry eye,” requiring a life time of daily eye drops.  The vet is hopeful that once the eye infection is cleared up along with the skin issues, the eyes will start producing tears normally again. He’s not contagious as his problems stem from a compromised immune system so he’s fine to interact with the other dogs in the home.  Ongoing treatment, high-quality food and lots of rest should get him back on his feet.  A good haircut with a pair of clippers should help with the “ugly.”  But, then again, maybe not.  This after he got a good bath and we took him down to less than a quarter inch to even his haircut up.  Awwww, Bubba … you need some hair!

What Bubba lacks in beauty, he more than makes up for with his sweet temperament and ability to get along with the other dogs in the house.  Surprisingly, he arrived crate trained, sleeps through the night quietly, and is house trained.  Innately adaptable, he’s doing quite well after being moved to his foster home and is enjoying his walks around Lake Estes every morning.  When he tires out, he gets to share the stroller with little Ollie, who has bad hips.

Here’s to a new life in the West!

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A Hard Day …

… for “the boys.”  Just two days short of nine months old, they were neutered today along with getting caught up on vaccinations, nail trims, microchips and, in the case of Jasper (formerly known as Mo), extraction of five retained baby teeth.  Unfortunately, the teeth were firmly embedded and required stitches afterwards so the poor little guy is hurting on both ends tonight.  While under anesthesia, Dawa had his ears inspected and flushed … he has an infection in both ears requiring medication for a week.  Both were whining when we got them home late this afternoon but that’s settled down.  Hopefully, they will sleep comfortably through the night — which means we will as well!

Upward facing dog ...

Jasper came home with an e-collar … you know, the thing that looks like a lamp shade which they bang on the floor, walls and everything else they come into contact with.  It was quickly replaced with a Bite-not collar.  Dawa started licking on his incision so a fast trip was made to Fort Collins in search of something besides the lampshade.  Couldn’t find a Bite-Not so we’re trying a ProCollar … seems to be working well and Dawa is comfortable enough in it to be snoozing in the floor after working on his yoga. 

During the exam before the neuter, the vet remarked on their slow, steady heartbeats.  A bit unusual as many small dogs are nervous at the vet, which increases their heart rates.  Not these boys … perfectly comfortable and engaging all the techs who came by to assist.  Doc Sherry was very impressed with how nice they are — something I’ve been telling hubby all along.  Good boys despite a very hard start in life.  They’re progressing with crate and house training.  Not perfect, but I have no doubt they’ll get it as we keep working with them.

Shhhhh ... Baby Jasper sleeping
Dawa and his "cigar"
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A New Foster …

Jackson ... takin' it easy
Jackson ... takin' it easy

… arrived yesterday.  All 24 pounds of him.  Jackson, through no fault of his own, is a victim of the economy.  He’s been well cared for and very much loved.  Unfortunately,  his owner was forced to work two jobs just to keep up with the bills.  Leaving little time for taking care of a beloved companion … and even less money to deal with his medical issues.  A dental is in his very near future (like tomorrow)  along with dealing with some ear tip issues.  It appears he has a skin condition at the very tips of his ears — most likely from improper drying after a bath.

Once released for adoption, Jackson will make an exceptional pet.  A young dog, he’ll be three in mid July.  He’ll be dropping a few pounds and working on a “heel” command so as to walk nicely on a lead.  He’s crate trained, housetrained and will be placed with his crate, HW meds, a microchip and current vaccinations.

If interested in this little guy, please contact me at:  ApsoRescue@aol.com.  Better yet, if seriously interested, submit an application — unless you’ve previously adopted from us in which case you’re already approved!

Update:   Jackson came through his dental with flying colors. The ear tip issue was pretty minor and will most likely be cleared up with a short course of topical antibiotics.  Because he’s doing so well, Jackson will be attending the Fire Hydrant 5 in Fort Collins on Saturday, May 9th.  He’ll be sporting a bandana that says, “Adopt Me!”

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Okay, call me paranoid but …

… the following article just underscores what I’ve known for years.  That pets rely on their humans to keep them safe from harm and it is our responsibility to ensure their well-being.  Think of your Apso as a perpetual two-year old.  Would you leave a toddler outside unattended for the day … left in a car at the grocery store … allowed to roam the neighborhood without supervision?   Uhhh, I didn’t think so.  And your Apso — a perpetual toddler — should be supervised closely as well.  These are not isolated incidents happening to “other people.”  Take heed, pet owners.  The life you save may be sitting at your feet this very moment …

American Kennel Club Cautions Owners: Pet Theft on the Rise;

AKC Appears on NBC’s Today Show Offering Tips to Keep Pets Safe

Dog Owners and Breeders Advised to Keep Dogs Safe at Home and on the Road

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

 

The American Kennel Club® is warning pet owners and breeders about an alarming rise in dog thefts in recent months. From parking lots to pet stores and even backyards, more dogs are disappearing. In the first three months of 2008, the AKC has tracked more than 30 thefts from news and customer reports, versus only ten for all twelve months of 2007.

 

Media reports have chronicled the escalation of these “dog-nappings” from all around the country. Incidents have included armed robbers entering a breeder’s home, tiny puppies being stuffed into purses at pet stores and most recently, purebred pets being snatched from cars in parking lots and even shelters.

 

“The value of pets in people’s lives has been on the rise for a long time and now we are seeing thieves trying to capitalize on this. Whether they seek to resell the dog, collect a ransom or breed the dogs and sell their offspring, thieves seem to be attuned to the increased financial and emotional value pets have in our lives,” said AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson. “Losing a treasured family pet is devastating to the owner.”

 

“Criminals look for weaknesses and exploit them. They know pets can’t protect themselves, so that means owners need to be alert,” said Lt. John Kerwick, a law enforcement K-9 handler and the President of the U.S. Police Canine Association, Region 7. “Be wary of anyone who approaches you and asks too many questions about your dog or where you live. This is a red flag that they may be out to snatch your pet.”

 

Peterson added that “These ‘dog-nappers’ are misguided and naVve. They’re stealing living beings, not jewelry that can be pawned. Plus, it’s unlikely that they can sell the dogs for high prices without proper registration papers, and these inept criminals are not realistically going to collect a ransom. Caring for a dog — and especially breeding — is a time consuming endeavor that requires a lot of knowledge. Thieves will find themselves with a frightened and confused animal that needs a lot of care.”

 The AKC offers the following advice to prevent your “best friend” from being a target of a crime:

At Home

Don’t let your dog off-leash — Keeping your dog close to you reduces the likelihood it will wander off and catch the attention of thieves. A Saint Bernard that had wandered away from his owner in Nebraska was snatched up right off the road.

Don’t leave your dog unattended in your yard — Dogs left outdoors when no one is home for long periods of time can be potential targets, especially if you live in a rural area and the fenced-in yard or dog runs are visible from the street.

Keep purchase price to yourself — If strangers approach you to admire your dog during walks, don’t answer questions about how much the dog cost or give details about where you live.

Breeders need to be aware of home visits by potential puppy buyers — Criminals posing as would be “puppy buyers” have visited breeder homes to snatch dogs, while other homes have been burglarized when the owner was away. From Yorkies in Los Angeles to Bulldogs in Connecticut, thieves have targeted young puppies of these highly coveted breeds.

On the Road

Never leave your dog in an unattended car, even if it’s locked — Even if you are gone for only a moment, an unlocked car is an invitation for trouble. Also leaving expensive items in the car such as a GPS unit or laptop will only invite thieves to break and possibly allow the dog to escape.

Don’t tie your dog outside a store — This popular practice among city dwelling dog owners can be a recipe for disaster. Reports have surfaced of such thefts in Manhattan. If you need to go shopping, patronize only dog-friendly retailers or leave the dog at home.

Be vigilant when entering or leaving establishments or venues catering to dogs such as grooming salons, veterinarians, doggie day care or hotels — Be aware of your surroundings, such as slow moving vehicles, or people watching you and your dog. Carry pepper spray as a precaution and, if possible, don’t walk alone late at night or stay in a well lit area.

Recovery

Protect your dog with microchip identification — Collars and tags can be removed so make sure you have permanent ID with a microchip. Keep contact information current with your recovery service provider. Several pets have been recovered because of alert people scanning and discovering microchips. For more information and to enroll your pet in a 24 hour recovery service visit www.akccar.org.

If you suspect your dog has been stolen — Immediately call the police / animal control in the area your pet was last seen.

Have fliers with a recent photo ready to go if your dog goes missing — Keep a photo of your dog in your wallet or on an easily accessible web account so that you can distribute immediately if your pet goes missing.

AKC Appears on NBC Today Show to offer tips on keeping your pet safe