Adopt a Pet :: Walt - Olmsted Falls, OH

9-19-09 UPDATE:
We are happy to report that Walt's skin is finally responding to treatment! There was a lesion on his left hock that would not heal, and after trying several different medications, (and depressing Walt by making him wear an e-collar), the vet prescribed a topical combination antibiotic/steroid cream that is working!
We're so thankful to finally have Walt's medical issues managed, so that he can just kick back and enjoy his life! (Which he's definately doing!) His foster mom has recently gotten him a HUGE orthopedic dog bed, and he's thrilled to be able to stretch out as big as he can on it to take his naps! He's SO happy to have a proper bed to lie on and call his own!
His ear-to-ear doggie smile and grateful kisses are worth more than gold to us! We're so happy to be able to make his senior years the absolute best of his life!

8-3-09 UPDATE:
Walt continues to do well in his foster home! He has responded very well to the Phenobarbitol - he hasn't had ANY seizures since starting the medication!
He has also finished the antibiotics for his pneumonia, and as far as the vet can tell, he doesn't have any residual damage to his lung tissue from the infection. He is still on medication for his skin condition, which unfortunately is not responding to treatment as well as we had hoped. It's cleared up a little, but has not resolved yet. We will continue his meds for now, and follow up with the vet in a few weeks if there is still only minimal improvement.
Walt will also begin taking anti-inflammatory pain medication (called Carprofen/Rimadyl) in conjunction with his Tramadol to see if we can better manage his arthritis. He's much more mobile than he was previously, but after consulting with our vet, it was decided that he could get even more relief from his arthritis aches and pains by combining the medications. We're willing to do whatever it takes to make Walt as happy and as comfortable as possible -- he truly deserves it!

7-15-09 UPDATE:
Walt is doing so good - he has gained 10 pounds! His skin is clearing up and he is walking so much better. He will probably never run a marathon - but he gets around really well now. He does take 2 very inexpensive meds that he will stay on for the rest of his life - Tramadol for his arthritis and Phenobarbitol for his epilepsy.
At our vet's recommendation, we are also feeding him a prescription diet called K/D to help slow down or possibly reverse his kidney disease. We will recheck his renal values in 6 months to see how things are progressing.
Walt loves balls and stuffed toys and will collect them on his bed - he always has one in his mouth!
He would do best in a quiet household as the only dog, or with another older dog like him.
Also, a home with NO STEPS (or a house where he could happily and comfortably live on the first floor with no steps leading outside) is necessary for Walt -- it's very difficult for him to get up and down them with his arthritis.

6-30-09:
Walt was rescued from the Ashtabula APL -