Dooley recently came to us from a puppy mill rescue with 100 other dogs. At less than a year old he was afraid, shivering and filthy. At first it was thought that he had a vision impairment because he would occasionally run into things. However, the eye specialist said that he has perfect vision. The specialist thinks that Dooley experienced a back trauma while at the mill, which is healing ok on its own although he bunny hops a little. Soon after his many doctor visits Dooley had a massive seizure that took a day to recover from. We were so scared thinking we might lose him. It was determined by the specialists at Iowa State that he has a liver shunt. This causes him to act intoxicated due to not being able to properly process protein in his diet which is why he would sometimes run into things. The protein in his good quality diet at HUA built up and caused him to have the seizure. Dooley was evaluated and the good news is that the shunt is operable. The bad news is that it is an intricate, expensive surgery and it was also found that he has 3 bladder stones which will need to be removed at the same time. Dooley is not strong enough to survive surgery yet. He will be on medication and a special diet for another 3 to 4 weeks before he can return to Iowa State for his operations. We can tell his medicines and new low protein diet are helping already. Dooley doesn’t even know that he is sick, but without surgery he has no chance of living to see his adult years. Dooley chases bunnies in the yard, races up and down the hall doing his little bunny hop, snoozes on his special little doggie couch that he loves, and plays with the other dogs. He follows us at our feet and loves to snoop in the refrigerator (Sorry Dooley! It is only your special diet for now! After your recovery we will have all kinds of special treats ready for you to choose from!). Being held and cuddled is his very favorite thing. He is all puppy, and we hope that he can heal in time to experience what is left of his puppyhood without any complications. Dooley needs all of our healing thoughts and prayers. He has an uphill battle ahead. Dooley’s life has nearly been stolen from him due to poor breeding, abuse and lack of care at the mill. We intend to do everything in our power to made sure he has a life of health and happiness ahead of him and we are asking for your help. Donations for his medical expenses, which we estimate will be $3,300 can be made online here. We thank you and Dooley thanks you for your support, care and concern. We will post updates when Dooley goes for his operations. Please send good thoughts his way! HUA supporters are the best. We know that you will come together, as you’ve done for so many other suffering mill dogs, to help us give Dooley the health and happiness he so desperately deserves.
UPDATE: Dooley just had his surgery today 4/23/10. He did GREAT! He will be in the ICU for the next 24 to 48 hours but the vet said it just couldn’t have gone better. The liver repair went well and the bladder stones turned out to not be bladder stones but some type of small flakes (possibly due to the liver condition) that are not of any concern. Thanks to everyone who contributed to help save Dooley’s life and get him on the road to recovery! We are SOOOO happy to have this good report from Iowa State University on him tonight.
