 *****THIS IS A COURTESY POSTING FOR OUR GOOD FRIENDS AT FIRST REGIONAL ANIMAL HOSPITAL IN CHANDLER*****
Here is some information on Lobo, other than the fact that he is the most stunning shepherd boy in the West!
- He was noticed by a meter reader, on more than one occasion, lying in a backyard, unable to use his hindlimbs. The meter reader called the police. The Chandler PD spoke to the owner who apparently had no money, no car, and no way to take care of their dog so the owners agreed to relinquish ownership and allowed the police to bring him to First Regional Animal Hospital.
-I was not personally there when he first arrived but I did work that same evening. He had dried mud on him, dried urine, urine scald and very, very thin. He had fleas. I decided that night that I would accept responsibility for him and do anything I could to help him find a home where he could be loved and cared for.
-I have kept him at the clinic for the past 2 weeks, up until Wednesday evening. The technicians and veterinarians I work with have all fallen in love with him. I borrowed a Canine Cart from Jeffery Flocker (Canine Physical Therapist in Gilbert www.caninerehab.com) so Lobo has had quite a time rolling around the clinic, visiting everyone.
-Today I ordered him his own custom-made Canine Cart from Doggon' Wheels (http://www.doggon.com/home.html) He wanted to have one of his very own.
-Here is some medical history.
-Lobo is approximately 5 years old (an educated guess!).
-I did complete labwork on him including CBC, General Pet Health Profile, Heartworm, Valley Fever, Tick Fever, U/A and Urine Culture
-The bloodwork revealed that Lobo has Valley Fever. I have started him on Fluconazole. He will need to remain on Fluconazole for at least 6 more months, and then re-check his levels.
-Lobo has a boney lesion extending across 3 of his thoracic vertebrae. This is most likely related to his Valley Fever and also the cause of his paralysis (inflammation and compression of his spinal cord). PURE NEGLECT!
-I took him to the Veterinary Neurological Center on Wednesday for a consultation with Dr. Scott Plummer. Dr. Plummer was quite certain that the lesion on his thoracic spine was from Valley Fever. He suggested a CT Scan and surgery to decompress his spinal cord. He thought there was some chance of recovery of use of his hindlimbs, but certainly could not guarantee this.
-Lobo will be neutered asap
-Lobo is incontinent. There are various ways to deal with this - which I am learning very quickly! I have ordered him a couple of types of "doggie-diapers" from Doggon' Wheels. (He looks super cute in them!)
I have no doubt that Lobo will make someone a wonderful pet but it would have be someone very dedicated to taking care of him. He definitely needs a special home, but then again, he is a special dog! He looks up at you with this gaze, and in his world, the earth has stopped rotating for that very second, and he knows that he is loved. Isn’t that what we need?? A little compassion, love and caring, and the world would be a better place.
**********TO INQUIRE ABOUT LOBO, PLEASE E-MAIL jamgraham@cox.net |
