We received a request from a local vets office to take in an IVDD dog that was surrendered to them, but Cookie’s surrender and transfer was anything less than standard and we got WAY more than we bargained for, but we always strive to do the right thing.
When President Pam went to pick up Cookie, he was zippered in a stroller, barking, carrying on - clearly unhappy and nobody that we had talked with about taking him had mentioned anything about him being aggressive. President Pam wasn’t going to leave him there, so she took the entire stroller and Cookie’s cart, put it all in the Pambulance and headed for PAWS Veterinary Clinic, hoping that Dr. Riff and her team would be willing and/or able to work with and evaluate him.
Cookie was less than friendly upon his arrival, not even wanting to be touched, but thanks to a magic combination of time, skill and Fear Free Vetting, Dr. Riff was able to examine Cookie and his condition broke our hearts. His entire belly was covered in urine scald, it seemed he had not been expressed in a very long time, his urine was filled with blood, and he was pooing blood as well.
You are probably asking “if he has IVDD, why didn’t he go to SEVN?” which is a totally valid question. It seems Cookie had already had IVDD surgery, at the general practice vet’s office a number of years ago vs. having IVDD surgery at a neurology practice with vets who are mentored and trained to perform that surgery. Unfortunately, that surgery was not successful and he did not regain the ability to walk post surgery.
After being expressed, Cookie has calmed down a bit, he is on meds and antibiotics and will be treated in PAWS Hyperbaric Oxygen chamber for his scalded skin along with whatever else we find is going on with him. The use of this chamber is also a Hail Mary attempt to help him regain even a little bit of feeling in his legs.
Cookie has been failed by so many people in so many ways, and we have fingers and paws crossed that this is the beginning of things starting to go the right way for Cookie. We are back again, 4 days into the new year, to ask your help to try and make things right and give this sweet boy the chance he deserves to feel better and know what it is like to be loved. Would you consider a donation of any size to help us cover Cookie’s care and a HUGE thank to Dr. Riff and her team for everything they have done for him so far!!!
