Chip!
Chip is a 4 month old red boy with the good folks at SW Ohio Dobe Rescue (SWODR). Chip was purchased by some people from a back yard breeder (never do this!). As he matured, it was apparent that his front left leg was deformed, tucked tightly into his body. When the buyers learned that it would cost over $2,000 to fix the leg, they dumped him with a local trainer. Chip then made his way to SWODR. There's no telling how weak the bones in his arm were, but soon after arriving at the rescue he broke his arm while he was in his crate. The pain was tremendous, and the leg needed to be amputated immediately! SWODR has been slammed with Dobes starting last year, the economy in OH isn't all that great and owner turn-ins (OTIs) are rampant. Funds are limited, but this surgery needed performing as soon as possible. The bill came to roughly $450 thanks to SWODR's rescue discount and the great work of All Creatures Animal Hospital. He had the surgery and all seemed well.
Shortly after the surgery we got word that this poor boy has Parvo as well. Parvo is a deadly virus that afflicts puppies and adolescent dogs. Vaccine preventatives exist, but in cases like poor Chip, sometimes neglect by previous owners can expose dogs to this disease. Chip is still at the hospital under quarantine, and they think they caught the Parvo early enough. The problem is, his immune system is temporarily overwhelmed and they may have to re-open the amputation incision to clean it out if it gets infected. The estimated cost for the Parvo treatment is $500-$550, including all the fluids, blood-work panels, boarding, medication, and anything else. If the incision has to be opened and cleaned out, that will be $200-$250. We appreciated the great work All Creatures is doing for this boy, and of course, for all of SWODR's efforts to make sure this boy knows more than just neglect and disease. Thanks to these marvelous rescue people, Chip is receiving lots of attention and the LOVE he deserves!
We are asking for your help with Chip's ongoing care. Every Dobe deserves a chance at a long life filled with love, and Chip is certainly no exception - especially given what life has dealt him recently. Please consider mailing us a donation or use the PayPal button below if you would like to make a tax-deductible donation for Chip. We thank you for any help that you can offer - every donation counts!
Updates!
May 1, 2005 - Chip continues to heal up from his amputation surgery, and is in quarantine for the Parvo. It looks like his incision isn't getting infected, which is great news! Here's an update from Megan Lodder, a member of SWODR:
"I called (the clinic) to check on him this morning and he's much perkier. No diarrhea and his vomiting was limited to just a little bile. They are doing a cbc (blood testing) first thing in the am and will have the results by noon. I thought his incision looked great--not swollen or red, but he is so so thin. The vet said it'll be very important to get that weight back on him, so I'm gonna go buy stuff for a batch of the "weight gainer" stew I cooked for Sky that was so easy on her system."
May 2, 2005 - The boy continues to improve, and it looks like he can leave the clinic as soon as he starts eating food. Woooo!!
May 5, 2005 - Chip has left the clinic and is doing better every day! His system is recuperating from this double dose of medical problems though. We still need help to cover his expenses, please consider making a donation for this great boy! Here's an update from Judi Rothenberg, another member of SWODR:
"Chip is doing better, eating and drinking and acting like a goofy puppy. He had a couple of seizures a couple days ago but I guess they said it's expected since he's gone through all of this. He doesn't want to go down the one step to the yard yet but he'll get used to it soon I hope."
Chip's Picture Page! (Seven pictures, 103Kb total file size.)
