Tealk!
Several weeks ago Tealk had a few bouts of diarrhea and very large loose stools. He was put on a prescription diet and digestive enzymes hoping this would resolve the problem. Tealk’s weight dropped dramatically; going from 80 lbs to 67 lbs in a matter of weeks. His mom Annie got him stabilized and weaned him back to his regular diet, with the continuation of Flagyl and digestive enzymes. His stools have been good but he isn't gaining weight. The vet is concerned there could be an abdominal mass and he is scheduled for an ultrasound on July 16. Tealk will also be having an x-ray of his chest at this time in hopes of finding the root cause for a "choking sound" sound that he makes now and then. Not a cough, but gagging sounds. The estimate from Tealk’s vet to perform all of the necessary procedures is $800. Annie loves her “boys” and is also trying to mange Larzs’ Addison's disease, by giving him weekly B-12 injections and monthly injections for his Addison's. Larz is also taking medications Prednisone and Flagyl for the rest of his life. Both Tealk and Larz are retired Therapy/Service Dogs, who spent their lives loving Annie and aiding her for her disability. She wants to do all she can for them but on a disability income, one can stretch a dollar just so far. Tealk is a senior boy living with his Mom Annie in North Weymouth, MA and his dobe-brother Larz, who is also an SNDobe (read about him on Larz' Page). Annie has had Dobermans for many years and is a friend to Doberman Rescue Unlimited (DRU). She regularly fosters dogs for the organization. Tealk’s litter occurred accidentally within the DRU system. A friend called Annie to let her know that the accidental litter had been whelped. Annie went to visit and several weeks later Tealk came to liver with her. Annie lives on a fixed income and counts on her personal Dobes as service dogs, including Tealk and Larz who she trained herself. Tealk now has a condition known as Fibromatous Epulides with Ossification, which translates as a nasty outward growing tumor on his mouth. You can read more about Epulides on this Merck Manual page. Tealk will need surgery for this growth. They will remove the tumor, a fang and some jaw bone. With that, Tealk’s prognosis is very good. Tealk is much loved by Annie, unfortunately this surgery combined with the help Larz will need is beyond her means. Obviously Tealk is a much loved Dobe who has plenty of love to share with Annie and Larz! Please consider helping with Tealk’s bills, they are substantial and along with Larz' bills, are beyond what his rescue mom can handle alone. No donation is too small! To make a tax-deductible donation for Tealk, you can use the PayPal button below to donate online, or you can mail it to SND. Thanks for anything you can do for this marvelous boy! |
**Updated 7/01/2007**
Tealk just
celebrated his 9th Birthday thanks to the help of all the wonderful people who donated to the fund for his surgery of
July 6, 2006 to remove a tumor from his mouth. His canine tooth, a small about of tissue and jaw were removed but he
healed wonderfully and it hasn't stopped him from carrying around his favorite bone. He can eat and chew like there’s
no tomorrow! He doesn't have one gray hair and acts and looks more like a 4 year old.