Ava is NOT at the Central IL German Shepherd Dog rescue. She is being aided by our fellow rescue volunteers at Serendipity German Shepherd Dog Rescue.
July 4, 2007
Not a whole lot to report on Miss Ava this week. I suppose that's a GOOD thing!
She's settled into a routine now and seems to do well with it. When her foster mom leaves for work, Ava heads for her bed that faces the front door from the living room.
She wants to see you the second you walk in that door! She does love her people. She has easy access to the kitchen for water but doesn't go out there much. She continues to have free range in the house and is fine with it. We've also discovered she doesn't like storms!!
Foster mom Barbara is working on building up Ava's ability to "hold it" until Barbara gets home from work. So far it's working well. From what we're seeing, we believe Ava was housetrained by her former owner.
The best news:
- she's starting to gain weight and eat better
- she's letting her left leg down to its full extension more frequently -- still doesn't put weight on it, but it's as if she's tentatively checking things out
Foster mom Barbara has begun very gentle massages of her left leg and she seems to enjoy them. She actually stretched that leg out and fell asleep during one.
In addition, tonight when she pottied, it looked like she put weight on her left leg for a nanosecond. Progress!!
KEEP THOSE THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS COMING! THANKS, ALL!
Ava seems to know that she has a lot of people on her side. How can she lose??
- Nancy, Serendipity Rescue
June 24, 2007
Serendipity Rescue took Ava to the Unversity of Missouri-Columbia College of Veterinary Medicine for her first post-surgery checkup, and here are the results.
- Ava is NOT HW+ as first diagnosed!! The first test was a false positive. Hooray!!!
- Dr. Fox is generally pleased with her progress. Ava couldn't use either back leg when she came in. She is now using her right rear leg fairly well but still does not use her left rear leg at all. She walks on her own, but her walk is still contorted. But Dr. Fox finds her progress very encouraging given the relatively short time she's been in recovery (8 weeks - seems like a while to me!!). All the bone fractures in both legs appear to be healing nicely.
- Her left rear leg is still dragging, the foot still often twisted underneath her. She has to get a "running start" to stand up, since she has to use her right rear leg to carry her full weight and drag around the left rear leg, too. If there's no improvement in the next 6 weeks, we have two options. One: operate again (same surgery as was done on her right rear leg). Two: amputate. Dr. Fox leans slightly toward amputation but nothing is certain and no decisions will be made until her next checkup.
- She had another minor surgery on June 8 to remove the pins in her left rear leg. She was in considerable pain in her non-functioning leg and was on continuous pain meds. MU thought the pins may have been causing the pain. The surgery was short, successful and very non-invasive. THE GOOD NEWS: SHE WAS ON PAIN MEDS THE FIRST WEEK AFTER SURGERY BUT IS NOW OFF THEM AND DOING FINE WITHOUT THEM.
- Ava is in a foster home in Kansas City with no stairs. She's allowed to range freely during the day while Barbara, the foster mom, is at work. We placed 3 beds in strategic locations around the house so she can walk/hop a short distance and then rest on a bed. The foster mom and I take turns going back midday to potty her.
- I take her for another checkup at MU in late July. At that time we face the decision on what to do if she still has not begun to use her left rear leg.
- Ava lost a lot of weight after surgery and is starting to regain some. She had a terrible case of worms but is under treatment for it.
- We still will have to deal with the mass in her chest (benign) at some point. But that's way down the road and for now MU isn't concerned about it.
- My personal observation: I'm cautiously optimistic that Ava will begin using her back left leg. There are a couple of tiny (and I mean tiny!) improvements. She separates her two back feet while pottying, which she couldn't do before. She's letting the bad leg down more to its natural length. Both Barbara and I have seen her almost put the foot down, tho it's literally for a nanno-nanno-second. We're grateful for every little sign!!
TO SUM UP:
- she's off pain meds
- the right leg is doing well
- the left leg is still useless but there are encouraging signs
- we have no way of knowing whether we'll have to amputate or do another surgery on the left leg, but we're praying we don't.
PLEASE CONTINUE YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FOR AVA! THANK YOU, everyone!! We love you for helping us help Ava, and for all your prayers and help.
- Nancy, Serendipity Rescue
May 17, 2007
Here are some updated photos of Ava. More information about Ava's recovery is coming soon!
Click on a photo for a larger view.
Monday, April 16
AVA IS STILL IMPROVING GRADUALLY - and everyone is more impressed than ever with her sunny disposition!!!
She's still in the hospital due to an open wound on her back leg. We've heard differing opinions on when she can go home, hope to sort that out soon. She uses her back legs a little more all the time. She still has an open wound on one back leg, healing slowly.
Thank you so much,
The Volunteers of Serendipity German Shepherd Dog Rescue
Sunday, April 8, 2007
WONDERFUL NEWS!!!!!!!
The mass is NOT cancerous or malignant. It needs to be removed, but is benign.
Ava is starting to use her back legs a little.
The infection continues to clear up.
More to come later next week, but we wanted you to know this terrific news!!!!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ava still has a long road, but it will be the road to full recovery!!!!
Thank you so much,
The Volunteers of
Serendipity German Shepherd Dog Rescue
UPDATE: April 5, 2007
Apologies that it's been a few days! A lot has happened, it's been hard to sort it all out, and it's tough getting to the doctors and not just the vet students.
AVA IS PROGRESSING, but more slowly than normal or expected. Ava is healing very slowly, in fact slower than a normal recovery. No known reason.
She may be older than first estimated, the mass in her abdomen may be effecting recovery, her emaciated condition, some combination of these, or other factors we don't even know. Three basic things are going on with Ava:
- she still has the infection in her legs in the surgical wounds. It's now healing well
- the mass in her abdomen remains untouched, but they did a non-surgical needle biopsy today. We'll have those results shortly.
- Ava is not using her back legs as much as they would like. She lays in her kennel all the time, which doesn't help recovery. She is still crossing one leg over to support herself, and not using the other leg much.
Ava should be using both back legs by now but she is not. They aren't sure why, tho it could just be the slow healing process. We'll have to see what happens when she's in foster care and is able to really start "rehab."
BUT ... Ava's disposition and attitude are still fabulous. She knows she's loved. That will help her healing. We're not sure when they'll release Ava, tho it could be in a few days.
We think she'll need a hospice-type care for a while at least. We're trying to find a temporary foster home where she can get this. Ava has a long road ahead of her. We'll take it step by step.
Keep those prayers coming.
Ava still needs you!
Thank you so much,
The Volunteers of Serendipity German
Shepherd Dog Rescue
UPDATE: March 29, 2007
AVA CONTINUES TO NEED YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
The surgery that was scheduled to remove the abdominal mass was postponed and it looks like we're temporarily in a wait-and-see mode.
Ongoing discussions with the specialists indicated that we should look into this further before proceeding with surgery. They say that if it is a tumor, surgery may actually cause the mass to grow faster. It's a tough call and we're having an intensive dialogue with several experts about the best approach.
Since Ava shows no sign of pain and the mass may be benign, the vets assure us that it's not an emergency and recommend holding off for a short while.
Right now Ava is comfortable and healing slowly. The incision on her right leg is draining and they're running a culture today to find out if it is infection.
To say it's a long, hard road for this girl is an understatement. Please keep your prayers going, we need them.
Thank you,
The Volunteers of Serendipity German Shepherd Dog Rescue
UPDATE: March 27, 2007
AVA NEEDS YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TONIGHT
Ava is using her back legs more. But today they discovered a mass in her abdomen.
They will operate tomorrow, remove it, and biopsy it.
The mass could be several things, including an ovary that was left from a bad spay and has grown. However, if it is malignant, the prognosis is not good. The vet estimates a few months at most.
Ava's surgeon at MU loves her - with all she's been through, Ava is nothing but kisses for everyone. The surgeon is distraught by this development and will do absolutely everything she can to get Ava through this.
We will so appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers for Ava.
Please, let's
literally surround her with love,
The Volunteers of Serendipity German Shepherd Dog Rescue
UPDATE: March 23, 2007
HOORAY!
Ava's vets just told us her surgery went very well. The Vet Orthopedic Team says Ava did "GREAT"
- both procedures (on both rear legs) went very well
- they WERE able to repair her legs
- Ava is now full of pins, screws, plates - BUT SHE WILL WALK!!
- she's resting comfortably in recovery
- will be closely monitored
- will stay at the hospital until vets are sure all is well
- may need a follow-up surgery in the future if one of the screws used to pin her leg turns out to be too long
We are now starting to plan for her recovery, foster care and rehab. Her recovery will be lengthy.
We are still getting in donations and will let you know shortly where we stand.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
UPDATE: March 21, 2007
First a big THANK YOU to everyone who has sent in donations!
We have received $1,705 as of 5pm CST
Our Goal is $3,000 to cover the surgery on Friday morning.
We have until Thursday at 3:30pm to collect the funds needed and keep our surgery appointment. The Vet School says that Ava is resting comfortably today; no changes to report.
Please forward her plight on to anyone who may be able to assist. Every dollar adds up!
Thank you, The Volunteers of Serendipity German Shepherd Dog Rescue
TO DONATE:
- Go to http://www.sgsdrescue.com
(Serendipity German Shepherd Dog Rescue in Missouri) - Choose either PayPal or MC/VISA (click on the appropriate button)
- Specify that your donation is for Ava
UPDATE: March 20, 2007
The following is an update on the injured German Shepherd Dog, Ava, who was brought into Serendipity German Shepherd Dog Rescue last Friday. We believe Ava was hit by a truck a few weeks ago and are seeking assistance in her treatment.
Ava had a battery of tests and x-rays today at Univ MO Vet School. The layman's version of her injuries are as follows:
- dislocated right hip multiple fractures in her left hip has separated from spine (very rare for her to even be able to walk)
- pelvic fractures
- heartworm positive chest x-rays were good though so she can have surgery before treatment for heartworm, already cleared with surgeons
So, we are pursuing surgery options for Friday morning (March 23, 2007).
Surgery is estimated at $3,000 and we are estimating a total of $3,500 with board and heartworm treatment. This includes our discount for being a 501(c)(3) rescue.
Thus far we have raised $1,500 so we need to get the donations lines open and rolling in ASAP.
I've made a $1,500 downpayment for Friday's surgery and have let them know that we'll need to cancel if we can't raise the funds.
Time is of the essence as her injuries are estimated at 3 weeks ago. The orthopedic surgery team wants to have the surgery Friday morning as they are already concerned about the time that has lapsed between injury and treatment.
As a side note, all of the staff at Univ MO Vet School say that Ava is a sweetheart!
Thank you, The Volunteers of Serendipity German Shepherd Dog Rescue
TO DONATE:
- Go to http://www.sgsdrescue.com
(Serendipity German Shepherd Dog Rescue in Missouri) - Choose either PayPal or MC/VISA (click on the appropriate button)
- Specify that your donation is for Ava
Posted March 15, 2007
Ava can't use one leg and puts all her weight on the other leg. She has trouble balancing.
She is a badly injured German Shepherd that was found lying in road and brought in to a local Missouri vet clinic by a senior citizen.
The elderly vet at this facility thinks Ava has a fractured pelvis and a broken back leg. This vet is elderly, disabled, and cannot treat Ava. This vet was going to euthanize her.
The vet's staff say Ava is super sweet. They love her and called a local rescuer. Their local rescue is overwhelmed in this backyard breeding, puppy milling area and can't take dog on herself without donations for medical care and a long term foster home.
DONATIONS NEEDED NOW!!!
Donations are needed for Ava's:
- medical care
- boarding
Serendipity German Shepherd Dog Rescue is scrambling to find the proper specialist in Missouri. This will probably be the University of Missouri, but they MUST HAVE FUNDS TO DO THIS!
Serendipity is a very small rescue and can't save this sweet girl without support. Ava is currently sitting in a country vet's clinic WITHOUT ANY MEDICAL CARE FOR HER INJURIES.
Serendipity has to get her to the University Vet School ASAP!!!! Depending on the extent of her injuries, Serendipity may need to find another rescue with more ability to help her.
TO DONATE:- Go to http://www.sgsdrescue.com
(Serendipity German Shepherd Dog Rescue in Missouri) - Choose either PayPal or MC/VISA (click on the appropriate button)
- Specify that your donation is for Ava
PLEASE, PLEASE HELP Serendipity Rescue help Ava, or she will die in the heart of puppy mill country. No dog deserves that fate.
Thank you so much for anything you can do. Serendipity appreciates all help given to lovely Ava!!
