Distemper, life or death? ... Please help Lucky

Life Animal Adoptions & Emergencies
1

This dog has been hanging around our building for months now. There’s a few of us feeding him regularly. He’s always wagging tail and happy with people but he’ll only let some people pet him, often too scared by unfamiliar folks

For a while we wouldn’t see him as much and just recently we saw him again. I noticed yesterday that he seemed to have lost a lot of weight rather quickly. I noticed his eyes were badly infected. He looked rough… :frowning:

So we captured him and took him to the only vet we know that is open on Sundays. He tested positive for distemper and was diagnosed with multiple secondary infections. I read a bunch about distemper today and it seems like the little guy has a 50/50 chance to survive. Problem is the cost is astronomical. This is not our regular vet so I need to check with our vet tomorrow about prices. They charged us 800NT for the distemper test. We agreed to initiate the treatment and that costs 800NT per day for the injections + kennel fee of 300NT per day. He’s supposed to be treated for at least 7 days. Do the math…The bill today alone was 2000NT.

If we had someone in Kaohsiung who could kindly foster this friendly dog, that would be such a relief. We would take him but we are still fostering a pup and distemper is contagious. It is not a threat for people or cats however.

This said…Is it worth it? The vet suggested that the dog be put to sleep… :frowning: Like I said, it’s a 50/50 chance, it’s not cheap and then there’s the problem of finding a home for him if he gets better. What do you think folks?

bobepine

2

We tried to save a small Lab pup with distemper a few years ago. We were unsuccessful. We didn’t care about the money, but in retrospect I wish we could have saved the pup the needless suffering, and ourselves the heartbreak. It’s a hard decision to have to make. I don’t envy you. :frowning:

3

Bobepine, firstly, hats off to you again for your compassion.

It is a heart-wrenching decision to make. Their is no cure for distemper, and the vets can only offer supportive therapy to help boost his immune system as he fights this nasty disease. If the vet is a good one, I would suggest keeping the dog there to give him is best chance. (What is the treatment he is charging you for, by the way? There is no cure - just supportive therapy. Make sure you’re not taken for a ride, but his fees seem reasonable if the dog is to get fluid therapy and other helpful treatment.) Check up on the vet and the dog every day and make sure he is getting what he needs. Don’t wait for your vet to volunteer advice on ow best to help this dog; you need to ask direct questions: Are there any supplements that will help (such as NutriCal, to keep his energy up)? Are there ways we can make him more comfortable (such as humidifying the air, keeping him warm, or providing seizure-control medicine)?

I am often faced with this decision, and so far we have only decided to put one dog out of its misery; the others made incredible recoveries, despite our vet’s prognoses that they they had little chance of survival. I could not put the animals to sleep, simply because I felt I would be robbing them of their chance to live.

Noddy got through distemper, and he has ended up with neurological damage that has left him paralyzed from the waist down and with spasms. He now spends most of his day lying on a blanket looking out the window. But he loves so much of his life: he play fights with the other dogs, lying on his side and biting their ankles; he loves being stroked and massaged; he lives for his food!; and he loves trying to chase cats (he bounces arround in circles when one is in the room). Does he have much quality of life? Difficult to say? Would it improve by killing him? No. I think when his wheelchair arrives, everyone will see that he is very capable of enjoying life. But only you can say for certain if this dog is suffering too much.

Vets who specialize in canine distemper give a dog a 50 to 60 percent chance of recovering with a reasonable ‘quality of life’. This statistic alone tells me it’s worth trying. Keep reading up on the disease as much as you can, as you will find some useful info that pertains to this dog’s condition in particular (the effects vary depending on the makeup of the dog).

I am not rich at the moment, but I want to help; let me know how I can send you some money. I think this is a cause worth supporting.

BTW, humans can contract a disease from a dog with distemper, but only if they haven’t been vaccinated against measles.

Best of luck with this. I’m rooting for you and the dog - who really should get a name so people can know who they are donating to. :wink:

4

Thanks for the feedback guys. The pooch’s name is Lucky.

I’m not sure if it makes sense but the vet said that within three to five days, there should be improvements. He made it sound like if the dog doesn’t improve within that time period, then it’s probably a lost battle. Hard to tell what kind of permanent damages Lucky would end up with, if any. His eyes are affected more so than anything I think and I read that distemper can cause blindness. I think his hearing is affected as well because I was able to follow him only 5 or six feet away and he didn’t seem to hear me, even walking through noisy dried grass and dead leaves. He still has control over his body although one can tell he’s definitely slower and weaker than he used to be.

The vet told us that it’s usually 800NT for the “fluid therapy”. I think that’s what it is as they installed a drip on him. He said that because we are just helping him, they would include the treatment of other secondary infections such as eyes, lungs, skin, etc, for the same price. We do not know this vet as it’s the first time we took an animal there but it seems like a good place. Our regular vet refused to take him in because he doesn’t have an isolated room for him. He suggested that we use our money to help other animals who have a better chance at life…

I read the part about people needing measles vaccination to be protected against this disease although I also read that the disease is asymptomatic in people. I figured it means that it is basically not a threat to people’s health but I suppose an infected person could probably infect other dogs. So it is actually cause for concern for people without proper immunisation. My apology, I didn’t mean to be misleading, I just wasn’t thinking this through.

Money…Yes…Money…Always a problem. Your offer to contribute is greatly appreciated Sean. But here’s another part of this dilemma. You are one to know how many animals we can help for 10 000 NT. We can CNR a few pooches for that price or we can…Lots of options to help animals with as little as 10k. Although it’s not that much in the big picture, add to that the money we spent on George, Trooper and the recent litter of pups, it adds up. Luckily, Trapjaw is looking after two animals and he’s been paying for vet visits and everything else himself.

We need more people like him in Kaohsiung. We need more foster homes and we need four permanent homes as of now. CNY is a bad time of year as many people are off on holidays. I’m hoping for a better response once the holidays are over.

We are going to contact two other organization in Kaohsiung in hope to get support for Lucky and we welcome anyone to pitch in a few bucks to help us save this animal. It’s not said that I will not send you my banking information but I’d like to first tap into other local resources. I can’t believe we would be reduced to taking money from a non-profit organisation at the other end of the country just yet…At this point, if you have time and are able to provide us with any material as well as directions as to how to fundraise legally down here, that would be a good boost. We plan to go to city hall and find out more information about legal permits soon.

We are still considering putting him to sleep as well because we can not take it home and we have no home for him. Things are not looking good for Lucky. I guess luck is relative…

Thanks again and I will keep you posted.

bobepine

5

Bobepine - you’re doing great work down here in KHH. I’m just taking care of 2 puppies, it’s nothing special! (Just took them to a vet last weekend and they got their first round of inoculations, so things are looking good for them, both healthy and lively chaps - I’ll be very sad to let go of them).

That’s a tough call with Lucky… Poor fellow.

Anyway, with regard to the fundraising thing, I have no idea how these things work, but wouldn’t it be possible to do it legally, etc, if you started a branch/chapter or whatever of AnimalsTaiwan down here in kaohsiung? I mean, they’re alreadya registered and official charity, I assume? Bobepine would make a good representative for Kaohsiung, I think. If he’s up to it, of course, and if it’s possible. Then it would also be easier for other people down here, like myself, to help out in whatever ways we could.

Just an idea, anyway.

6

Hi, all.

Yes, we are interested in having a branch of AT down there. We are currently registering AT as a NPO, but it is a very lengthy process, and we will only be registered in Taipei; to be a branch in Kaohsiung, you would need to do the same as we did, finding thirty founder members and applying to the local authorities. I think it is well worth doing, as then you can qualify for grants, corporate sponsorship, etc.

Re. Lucky (apologies - I just saw you already named him in the thread title), his hearing, sight, etc. may only be affected temporarily.

As for helping others who have a better chance at life, well, that is a good point, but I wouldn’t have offered money to help those (and we all know how stupid I am for these poor animals), and I suspect others feel the same way. We can be moved to donate more when we see one animal in urgent need of our gnerosity. People can relate more and and become more involved than they can with a whole bunch of nameless animals. and they get to see the direct result of their support, which is that he has a chance. Our most needy rescues have always brought in enough money to treat the particular animal and many others (which the donors wholeheartedly support); there was no money coming into AT until we rescued Lazarus, our neediest and most costly rescue to date; you should bear that in mind.

BTW, I’m offering my own money, not AT’s, so please accept it. I want to buy Lucky another day of treatment; I want to give him a chance - that’s all I’d want if I were him. He is in this predicament because of human neglect, and I’d like to help make up for that.

If you can become more visible as a group, you will get public support. It all seems daunting right now, but there are great things ahead, I promise. I have a couple of people who want to help form an animal welfare/rescue group in Kaohsiung - I’ll put you in touch right now.

Good luck with this - please keep up the efforts for a couple of days - I will fund them.

Many, many thanks for all you’re doing.

Sean

7

Looks like Lucky may be lucky after all…I transfered him to another vet today and he seemed to be quite drugged up and quite depressed but his eyes were open a bit wider already. I think the poor thing was also suffering from dehydration so the fluid treatment is helping rapidly.

I got a hold of Maggie from Savedogs this afternoon and she was very helpful. She got the vet to void today’s bill which was another 800NT. I’m not sure what she said to him but it didn’t seem like a pleasant conversation and it was lengthy. She also negotiated to have the new vet give us the same discount that he gives to Savedogs. We now pay only 300NT per day, everything included. The other place was charging us 1100NT per day.

I know that money seems to be a big part of the decision and sadly it is for two reasons. One is that we considered how many animals we can help for that kind of money and the other reason is that we don’t really have the money…We are not exactly rich at the moment. It’s also difficult to spend all this money to have Lucky go through all this if in the end we can’t find him a home…or worse…

We managed to raise 1200NT today from co-workers. All good news… sometimes we become a bit pessimistic I think…

If things work out for the best, Lucky will also be neutered and vaccinated. Hopefully a happy pooch again soon and he will need a good home. He’s such a good tempered gentle dog too, he would make an outstanding pet I’m sure.

If anyone wants to help Lucky, he is at the Henghli animal hospital located at 326, Mincheng Rd. Just a few blocks past Mintzu RD, near the end of Mingcheng road. He likes being petted and I’m sure he’d appreciate having more visits too. You can also contact me via pm or email mrfixit_chris@yahoo.com or call 0971070770

Warm thanks to Sean and other folks with AnimalsTaiwan for your support. Fingers crossed for our furry friend Lucky.

Chris

8

So how do I send money then? Either you guys get it or Carnegie’s does, so hurry up!

Glad things are looking up for Lucky - great that Savedogs helped you out. Sounds like you have a great new vet.

OK - I’m waiting. PM or e-mail me if you prefer.

Cheers!

Sean

9

What’s happened to Lucky?

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I’ve been visiting Lucky everyday and he seems to be improving. His eyes are opened more now and he’s been eating and drinking well. He started wagging his tail as soon as he saw me arrive yesterday. :slight_smile:

He’s still under intensive care at the animal hospital mentioned above. This weekend he’s getting a bath and we will take him for a walk if his condition allows it. It’s important right now to keep him away from any kind of stress because he needs all his energy to fight this disease. He’s really bored in the kennel though. Hopefully soon he can get out of there.

We decided that we will foster him ourselves if/when he’s ready to leave the hospital. We want to look after him until he puts on some weight and becomes a happy pooch again. I will post some pics of him after he gets his “beauty treatment” this weekend.

When this happens, we will no longer be able to foster the puppy we are currently fostering. We will need a foster/permanent home for her. She is vaccinated, paper trained and just adorable. She is also trained to sit pretty already. I use cat food kibbles to train her and she just loves it. It took three days and a little patience but now if I show her a kibble, she automatically sits pretty and waits. She now does it without food as well(I use hand signals and voice)but without the food she needs a good petting reward. Any takers out there for such a smart and well behaved puppy? Contact me anytime.

We also have other puppies who need homes, I will update the thread about them soon. All of them have had their first round of shots and are ready to go to a good home.

Many thanks to the Forumosans who have donated some funds to help Lucky, I’m sure he will pay it forward by becoming a loving and caring companion. :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:

bobepine

11

When thinking about the money think of this: I took a pup off the street with demodex. it has been about 8 months and I am still treating him(in Canada). I believe at this point that I can safely say he has chronic demodex and will not be cured. But I will not put him down, I will treat him for the rest of his life however long that may be. Right now he is enjoying life to the fullest. He runs, plays, sits on my other dog, sniffs my cat and eats whatever he can mooch. He looks pretty good with lots of hair and only a few spots. I will give him breaks from his treatment to see how he does. As long as he has a chance I will treat him. Yes I could help more animals by spending that money on them instead, but thats luck of the draw. You do what you can with what you have. Some will live, some will die and some will be the most incredible companions you have ever have. Your doing an awsome thing with Lucky. THose other dogs aren’t going to die if they don’t get spayed or neutred right now and other problems can be delt with as they come along. You have done so much for the animals already and you shouldn’t feel any guilt for any decision you make. You guys are awsome over there and sometimes I wish I could just hop on a plane and spend my time helping you out. Here is a big round of applause for you all from Canada

12

You’re never on MSN anymore bobepine. I’ll buy a few days time at your new reduced rate. Send me a PM and I’ll transfer the money.

13

:slight_smile: :notworthy: :slight_smile:

bobepine

14

Just an update for the kind forumosans who have donated money to help Lucky and for anyone else interested.

He’s doing much better, his eyes are almost cleared up. We wanted to wash him but his temperature is still a tad too high so we’re hoping to do it next weekend.

He will be ready to go home within a couple weeks I think so if anyone wants to help a pooch that really needs help, here’s a good chance for you. We will foster him but he does need a permanent home. He’s very gentle and shy but he loves being petted. Just a great dog and he’s quite good looking too!

On the following pic(taken two days ago), you can see that his right eye still has a problem but that’s almost gone now, the vet is doing a great job. The irritation around his eyes is pretty much healed as well.

This pic shows his left eye.

And sitting pretty. His ears are still down but that’s because he still feels a bit rough. Usually his ears are floppy but not that much.

Lucky says: Warm thanks everyone, I’m feeling much better. :slight_smile:

bobepine

15

Which reminds me I haven’t sent out the money that I promised I would. I’ll try to do it by myself right now…and if I can’t figure it out I’ll get my girlfriend to help me later tonight.

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Beautiful dog and a job well done! :bravo: :slight_smile: :notworthy:

Is Lucky really a boy, though? :ponder:

My payday is fast approaching and the cash will be with you shortly. Now go out and get another one. :wink:

17

Wow, he looks a hell of a lot better than he did in that first pic you posted! Well done! :bravo: :notworthy:

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[quote=“Stray Dog”]
Is Lucky really a boy, though? :ponder:
[/quote] :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :blush:

On the following pic, you can see for yourself. Good pic actually, it shows his shape. He’s quite well disposed I think. Nice face, well proportioned body, nice colors and decent size for a house pet. He’s got good teeth too because he’s just a pup. One year old at the most so he will not grow much bigger but he will bulk up a little in the next year or so.

You can see his rear hip-bones if you look closely, he’s a bit emaciated still but he’s put on some weight already despite the treatment and the fever.

bobepine

19

:notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :bravo: Bobepine
could go on like this
Very handsome dog. Wishing Lucky a better health and a loving home

20

Good news, we got the ok to take Lucky home yesterday. He has to take medecine for another 4 weeks but he’s fully recovered. His eyes and ears are doing just fine and his energy level quadrupled. I’m giving him a bath today and I will post pics a bit later.

Bad news…We got the vet bill. It’s 8100NT. :astonished: Anyone who wants to pitch in a few bucks is more than welcome.

Lucky needs a home NOW! Take it from me, this dog is a gem. I started training him to heel walk and he’s responding to the training like very few dogs would. A very slight tug and a firm “heel” (No choker, just a regular collar)and he forgets about any other stimuli, immediately slowing pace. Within a few weeks only this dog will heel walk on command without a leash. Other tricks like sit and stay or fetch my slippers will be so easy to teach him because he’s so smart and he enjoys the attention so much. He hides his enthusiasm well because he’s always so calm but the look in his eyes, the way he tilts his head when you talk to him and the ever wagging tail are sure signs of appreciation. His favorite trick is to rub his snout on my leg for attention and it’s all good because he doesn’t slobber and he doesn’t lick. Just adorable.

This dog will give you more than you’ll ever be able to give him, take my word for it, you will not regret it. Be the lucky one and adopt this pooch.

bobepine