PPRA Rescue Stories!!
Help our Precious Sunshine!
Sunshine Gets Her Cart!!!
(Click on Picture to Enlarge)
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Sunshine got her wheels Sept. 22.
Eddie from Eddie's Wheels for Pets said that we
would see a BIG difference in two weeks, and he was
right. When Sunshine is in her cart, racing
around the house, I forget that she isn't walking on
all fours. She also seems relieved and happy
when we put her in the cart.
I am amazed on how FAST Sunshine can run with her
wheels, and she can turn around on a dime.
When she is in one of her energetic,
Denise-the-Menace moods, the other pugs race to get
out of her way!
Sunshine's back is straighter now. Her front
legs, feet, and chest are getting like a body
builder from using the cart. She is using the
left back leg and paw most of the time.
Sunshine doesn't use the right back leg, which is
elevated from healing wrong and dangles. Meal time is so easy now because of the wheels. Sunshine is able to eat like a "normal" dog, instead of losing her balance and having a lot of difficulty.
Sunshine is very energetic, very playful, full of
mischief, persistent, strong-willed, and very funny.
She is definitely the funniest dog I have ever had.
I have at least one good belly laugh a day from her.
She's like a little comedian and clown rolled up
into one.
Sunshine is not an
affectionate/cuddly dog with humans. I don't
think she learned how to be when she was in her
first home. But she likes to be in the same
room and near me. When I run quickly from one
room to another, she races after me. When I go
upstairs, she puts her head on the bottom stair and
looks up with BIG eyes, making me
feel guilty for leaving her down there!
Ken and I are taking the four pugs to a Pugoween
Party at the New Hampshire SPCA. It is from 11
a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunshine will be able to race
around the large room with hardwood floors. I
know she will be chasing the other pugs all over the
place! |
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I am walking on cement!
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I investigated the side of the house. |
When I came into the house, |
Now it's play time! |
Sunshine’s appointment at Eddie’s
Wheels for Pets on Saturday, September 8, 2007:
When Sunshine was examined by Gena Silver at the
On Saturday, September 8, Ken and I took Sunshine to Eddie’s Wheels. When we arrived, a client was outside with his dog who was trying the “wheels” for the first time. We got to see how quickly a dog starts using the wheels.
Before retiring, Eddie was an engineer. When they had a dog that couldn’t walk, he constructed a cart for his dog. That is how the business started. Eddie uses his engineering skills to fine tune a cart for each dog (or cat). The carts are designed as a mobility aid and for maximum rehabilitation.
While we were in the large room, Eddie and Leslie assessed Sunshine as they watched her scoot around. It is their professional opinion that Sunshine will eventually use her back legs while she is in the cart and could possibly stand on four legs. They said that the cart serves as physical therapy. Sunshine already has a lot of movement. Also, because of the cart, Sunshine’s spine will not be as curved, which will mean messages will travel along the spine more easily.
Eddie and Leslie have a Dachshund named Daisy. She is an example of the therapeutic benefits of using the cart. Prior to the cart, Daisy could not use her back legs. She now uses her back legs. Daisy enjoys demonstrating her skills, so while Ken and I were there, she ran, walked, and slept while in her cart.
Before Eddie saw Sunshine in action, he was going to build a cart with stirrups, which would keep her back legs and feet elevated. But after seeing that Sunshine uses her legs and feet, he is designing a cart that allows Sunshine to use her legs. Because one of her legs turns inward, Eddie is making a special loop that will keep the leg straight. Because Eddie believes that Sunshine will begin using the two back legs, he believes she will eventually need another type of cart.
Other benefits of the cart: When Sunshine eats, she loses her balance and has to keep readjusting her sitting position. With the cart, she will stand on all fours, stable, while she is eating. Also, when Sunshine goes outside to pee, she ends up peeing on herself. If the grass is wet or cold, her body becomes wet and cold. With the wheels, she will be elevated on all four legs and pee normally.
Because Sunshine has a fracture that did not heal correctly, and she has a curve at the top of her spine, the cart is being designed to lessen the weight in that area. For a custom fit, Sunshine’s specific measurements were taken during the appointment.
Sunshine’s cart will have a flag and a reflector light that goes on and off. If she outgrows her first cart, the second cart will be yellow for Sunshine! On Saturday, September 22, we are bringing Sunshine to Eddie’s Wheels for her cart.
Sunshine being measured for her cart
(click on picture to enlarge)
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Sunshine Update:
September 6, 2007
I wish I had good news, but I don't.
The findings from Gena Silver's exam included " ... severe
pelvic limb paralysis with poorly muscled pelvic limbs."
When she looked at the X-rays taken at the Burlington
Veterinary Hospital, Gena said that Sunshine's spine,
instead of being straight, is like a roller coaster.
She said she was born with that problem, but being abused
probably added to the problem.
Sunshine was mildly sedated, so additional X-rays could be
taken. Based on those X-rays, they feel that
Sunshine's spine is deformed due to a congenital
abnormality. Regardless of the cause, it can't be
corrected by surgery. Gena recommends a
wheelchair/cart for Sunshine.
She wrote in her report, "As she grows, the paralysis can
worsen including fecal/urinary incontinence. She may
also develop pain due to the spinal compression. Gena
Silver said that only time will tell.
Last week, I pointed out to Ken that Sunshine's back didn't
look right. Instead of staying straight when she ran,
it would pivot back and forth. Also, lately Sunshine
has been incontinent. Those two things now make sense
after today's diagnosis. Gena said that because
Sunshine's spine is not straight, messages are not getting
to her brain. That is why she is paralyzed.
Sunshine was not given an MRI because Gena said none is
needed. The X-rays showed the problem. Gena
said, "She can't be fixed."
Gena recommends a custom-made wheelchair from Eddie's Wheels
for Pets in Springfield, Mass.
http://www.eddieswheels.com/
She said that Sunshine's running activity should be limited
because of her spine. Because of this, I am going to
make an appointment as soon as possible. Also, when we
take Sunshine outside, we won't let her run back and forth
anymore.
Gena found Sunshine's breathing to be normal for a pug.
Sunshine can be spayed without a problem. She hasn't
gained any weight, but Gena said that as she grows, it will
probably cause problems with her back.
I asked why Sunshine doesn't bark. She said it could
be from being punished for barking or possibly she never
learned how to bark.
In non-layman's terms, the report reads: "The radiographs
note kyphosis of the spine from T1-T7. There are only
9 dorsal spinous process noted for the 13 thoracic vertebral
bodies. There are only 6 lumbar vertebral bodies
(normal is 7). The femoral neck of the left femur is
resorbed (possible old trauma/fracture)."
I asked Gena Silver how common this spinal deformity is.
She said that it occurs quite often in small breeds.
The spinal problem isn't obvious in a small puppy, but is
noticeable as the puppy grows. She recommends that
when people are going to buy certain small breeds to have
them X-rayed first.
Today's news about Sunshine was totally unexpected. I
thought maybe she could have orthopedic surgery if her
breathing was okay. It's going to take me a few days
to digest all of this.
Thank you for caring about Sunshine.
Jeanine Gervais
Sunshine has a 10:30 appointment, for this Saturday, at
Eddie's Wheels for Pets.
http://www.eddieswheels.com/
She will be fitted for a wheelchair. The man was very
nice on the phone, and when he asked how much Sunshine
weighs, I think he was surprised when he heard, "eight
pounds."
I will keep you posted.
Sunshine is a 9 month old, fawn
pug who was a victim of domestic abuse.
She was stomped on by her owner when she was five
months old as a punishment for messing on the floor. Due to
this abuse, she cannot walk.
She gets around by using her front legs and dragging
her back legs.
PPRA was
alerted that Sunshine (9 months old and five pounds) was in
a “kill” shelter in Tennessee and due to be euthanized.
Arrangements were made with another rescue to pull Sunshine
from the shelter. She was temporarily fostered until
Sunshine could be transported to New York.
After a week in
On Tuesday, August 7, Sunshine went to
the
The X-ray also shows a fracture near
her shoulder blade, which didn’t heal in the right place.
Sunshine has a pushed-in sternum, which affects
her breathing.
The vet is not sure if this is a birth defect or from being
abused.
The vet recommended a neurological
examination and an MRI. This is to rule out any
neurological problems and for an opinion about Sunshine’s
breathing. The
next step would be orthopedic surgery, but first Sunshine’s
breathing has to be evaluated.
Sunshine’s appointment at the
neurological clinic in
The cost for
her neurological exam is $180. The cost for an MRI is
$2,200 to $2,500.
The Hospital does not accept a payment plan, so the
money is needed “before” Sunshine can have an MRI.
Additionally, she may need orthopedic surgery and/or
a special cart to help her walk again. Her medical care is
going to be quite expensive.
As you can see from her photos,
Sunshine does not know she has a disability.
Her former owner broke her hip and broke her knee,
but he did not break her spirit!
Would you please help Sunshine walk again? If you do want to help this precious puglet, please send donations to:
PPRA
151 Brewery Road
New City, New York 10956
If you prefer, you may send a donation through PayPal (It's
fast, free and secure!) by clicking on the
link below.
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Spidey
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Feb 7, 2004 Spidey was an owner surrender from a suspected back yard breeder (BYB). A BYB by definition is someone who breeds entirely for the money and not for the betterment of the breed. Many BYB’s don’t provide medical care. This breeder didn’t understand why when she bred one specific male to one specific female she always got deformed Pugs. A reputable breeder would know why and wouldn’t mate these pugs. He was picked up in PA from another rescue Angel from his breeder. Spidey was a tad luckier than most Pugs coming from a BYB, instead of being kept in a wire bunny cage, he was kept in a 15-foot room with several other Pugs but very little human contact. When he was delivered, he hopped like a bunny, sat like a gopher and whimpered in constant pain. He could only manage to hop around a few steps. A very happy 2-year-old Pug boy, full of personality and joy. He seemed to have difficulty breathing but has a huge capacity to love and trust humans. It is amazing considering that a human let him stay in this condition for two years. Spidey traveled from PA to NJ where his long journey to his forever momma began and finally settled in her loving arms in MA in the evening. Being a Vet Tech, Spidey’s mom recognized her new baby was in a great deal of pain and took her baby to an emergency care facility to get him at least out of pain until a more detailed exam could be accomplished. This initial exam disclosed: He is badly deformed in his elbow/shoulder/leg/hip area as well as little muscle tone and in his back legs. He is Lyme positive, has a UTI, parasites and a broken molar that is infected. It is not known the extent of his orthopedic situation, if he was born this way or if it was neglect and confinement while his growth plates were forming or some trauma. He be sedated him tomorrow to get a full set of orthopedic x-rays for the surgeon to review and give the necessary information. A Neurologist may need to be involved also because he is not neurologically normal in his back end. He does not correct his toe placement, as if he does not feel that it's wrong. The x-rays revealed some consolidation in his spinal cord; so more info is needed in this area also. It's very hard to access his heart because of the difficulty breathing. The physician’s will get a better listen when he's sedated. His chest x-rays do show some changes in the lung fields in front of the heart, so we'll have to see. Spidey is now in a loving home getting evaluated and necessary treatments to repair what can be repaired. Spidey is such a wonderful, special soul that is craving love for once in his life. Feb 11 Update It's been a long couple of days for Spidey. He went for an Echo/Ultrasound yesterday. His heart is good and his poor breathing is all upper airway, the worst case of overgrown palate known to man. His bladder has no stones but he prostititis. We sedated him today and did a dental (removed several teeth), neutered him and took all sorts of x-rays. He has the worst hips I have ever seem in 13 years as a Technician. I do not know how he is even walking. And if that's not bad enough, his elbows are even worse! His deformed front leg looks like a prior fracture that was never dealt with, but on a good note his knees are good. An Orthopedist is coming Tuesday to evaluate him and let me know where to start surgically. He'll need both hips totally replaced and I don't know if anything can be done about those elbows. We trimmed his soft palate back today, but the other surgeon might be able to do more at a later date. At least I wanted to lessen the struggle to breath for now. His spine is questionable also; there are a lot of arthritic areas and some questions about degeneration changes. We're on the road but it's going to be a long haul for him. I'll know all about options. Till then I just keep up with the current treatments and keep him comfy and loved. Feb 17 Update Spidey met with the orthopedic
surgeon this morning. Well, it was some encouraging
news and some very realistic news. First off, he
feels that Spidey's growth plates formed and closed
defectively. It seems to have hit the hardest
in his elbows, femoral heads and spinal cord. We
can't do anything about his elbows. His left is
luxated completely sideways and the right isn't much
better. There isn't anything to do with them but try
to take the weight off of his front by replacing
both hips. That will enable him to bear weight on
his hips again and give his elbows some relief. He
can have both hips replaced within 2-3 months of
each other, depending on healing time. The surgeon
feels that there is significant damage done to his
spine that will only get worse over time, we just
don't know how long. There is restriction of the
vertebra and unstable areas, so that is very
questionable right now. The only hope of him
breathing with ease is if he has some overgrown "sacules"
(glands) that we can remove. His problem isn't
laryngeal and we already trimmed his soft palate,
it's a restriction of his esophagus. He is not
"struggling" for breath since his last surgery, so
he's comfortable for now. The restriction could get
worse in the future though.
If you are interested in
donating to Spidey’s care. Donations can be sent to: Please put Spidey’s name in the “memo” or “for” field of the check or money order. Thank you in advance for reading Spidey’s story and donating towards his extensive care and treatments. You are Pug Angels.
3/31/04 |
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Donate for Spidey! Make a donation with PayPal It's fast, free and secure! |
Joker
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