The pups spent most of the day at CCHS. Dr. Stone, the Shelter’s veterinarian, looked the pups over and came up with a plan for the next few days.
A skin scraping confirmed that the mites causing the demodex are dying. That means the medication the pups have been given is working. However, it looks like they have skin infections that are contributing to many of the other problems. The decision was made to attack the skin infection aggressively to see if we can start clearing up some of the issues.
We’ll be changing the bathing protocol to include two different types of shampoo. One fights the infection and the other helps with the inflammation. The pups will start getting daily vitamins to help boost their overall nutrition level. And we’ll start an antibiotic to attack the skin infection. We also have daily meds to kill the rest of the mites, ear cleanings and overall evaluation. They’re not eating well so Harriett is supplementing their kibble with wet food as well as NutriCal, a high calorie supplement.
On Sunday the pups will be examined by a veterinarian who specializes in orthopedics. She’s going to be looking at the problems with the hyperextended carpals and check the status of their other joints. A specialist in canine physical rehabilitation (who happens to be a friend and fellow foster parent for CCHS) will stop by to figure out how to wrap the puppies’ feet to give them support until their muscles can start developing normally.
I hope you can tell by reading this that these foster projects are not solo efforts. You’re only reading about the things Harriett and I do, but we do not have the expertise to figure out what’s wrong and determine the best course of action. The Shelter’s management, vet and medical staff are our main support. But there are a bunch of people who volunteer their expertise and offer guidance and advice behind the scenes to help with this case including three private vets and two specialists and a rehab specialist from the UI Veterinary Teaching Hospital. They all deserve our thanks.
I'm so hoping for a good outcome for these puppies. I'm only following there story on the computer, but i'm already getting attached. I can only imagine how difficult it would be if I was there with them. I'm glad they are getting such expert care.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way as Lucky. These pups are in my prayers. I know it will take a lot of time and devoted care to get them back to a normal state of life, but they are in the best of hands with Tom & Harriett and the vets at CCHS. Bless their hearts for being such sweet and trusting animals.
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