Size
(when grown) -
Details
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
Location: New Ulm, MN
Fender is a super sweet, petite husky mix. She has been through so much in her lifetime. She was originally saved by the rescue from euthanasia. She took some time to come around to people as she was terrified of everything. But, after a few weeks, she really opened up and became a happy and cuddly dog. Unfortunately, Fender suffered from a neurological disorder which almost ended her life. But, being the strong-willed girl she is, after months of treatments, she improved. After a year in resuce, she is finally ready to find a home of her own.
She currently takes medication due to her neurological disorder. But, she had made incredible progress. She does still walk in circles, a symptom of her disorder, when she doesn't have a specific task or direction in mind, but it's her little quirk/charm. She is pretty much back to where she was prior to the disorder affecting her.
She is house trained but does better with a doggy door. She isn't the most vocal dog so she may need some work with indicating that she needs to go out without doggy door flexibility. She gets bursts of pent up energy and loves to run laps around the backyard. She LOVES her crate. She will put herself to bed in her crate most nights and willingly spends time in her crate; it's her safe space. She is also very good about freeroaming when her foster parents are at work or away. She will not jump on people or on counters. Her one vice is shoes, but she is working on it. She walks well on a leash, does well in the car, and loves going on adventures. She is also quite cuddly once she gets to know you. She is still timid of new people but does well after a few days. She is also able to complete a few commands. She will come, stay, leave it, and sit down.
Fender is a special girl and so loved by her foster family. She is looking for a patient, active family. Her ideal family would not have children. Alternatively, older children that can respect her space and boundaries would be great. Fender would do well with another dog that can show her the ropes. She does well with most dogs, especially if they have some energy as she loves to play!
From the U of M: whoever adopts her should have her establish care with a neurologist (whether they're local and have her come in here as a recheck to establish medication plans long term or with a new neurologist closer to the adopters) as soon as possible.
At a bare minimum, she should have a primary care vet established shortly after adoption and prospective adopters should know that given how severe here case was, a neurologist managing her MUE is highly recommended whether it's with us or not.
"MENINGOENCEPHALITIS OF UNKNOWN ETIOLOGY (MUE)
MUE is a broad category of immune mediated central nervous system diseases. The exact etiology, much like the name suggests, of MUE are currently unknown. Although several pathophysiologic mechanisms have been suggested, it is most likely that MUE is a multifactorial disease with contributing components such as genetic predisposition and immune-response triggering factors. There are several subtypes of this disease category for which treatment is largely similar.
Animals of any age, sex, and breed can be affected, but affected animals are most often young adult animals and typically tend to be smaller breeds. MUE can be focal, affecting one area of the brain, or multifocal with multiple areas of the nervous system affected. Signs can be variable depending on what area of the brain is affected, but onset of signs is often sudden (acute). Some animals may have seizures, blindness, disorientation or behavior changes, loss of balance, weakness, inability to stand or walk, or other signs.
Oftentimes, definitive diagnosis of subtype is only achieved by postmortem histologic evaluation of the brain and neural tissues. Thus, the diagnostic test of choice for identifying inflammation in the brain is an MRI and cerebrospinal fluid evaluation. If there is inflammation in the brain or surrounding tissues, inflammatory cells may also then leach into the CSF. Infectious disease testing is often utilized to rule out an infectious cause (bacterial, viral, protozoal, fungal) for the meningoencephalitis.
The mainstays of therapy for MUE are immunosuppression with corticosteroids and other immunosuppressant medications. Most often, patients are started on immunosuppressive doses of a corticosteroid (prednisone) and slowly tapered over 6-12 months. Adjunctive immunosuppressive or chemotherapeutic medications such as cytosine arabinoside (Cytosar), cyclosporine (Atopica), myophenolate, and leflunomide are also implemented. Regular monitoring with neurologic examination and bloodwork is crucial to monitor patient response and guide therapy. While there are medication protocols, regular monitoring allows for the best individualized therapy. Side effects of immunomodulatory medications can include bone marrow suppression, predisposition to infections, and hormonal alterations.
Prognosis for MUE is highly variable depending on disease subtype and response to treatment. Typically patients that are refractory to treatment or patients who relapse carry a worse prognosis. Very roughly, approximately 1/3 of affected dogs do fairly well long-term and may achieve remission after several years of immunosuppressive therapy, 1/3 of dogs can survive with a good quality of life for some months to years but never get a complete response or go on to relapse down the road, and finally, 1/3 of dogs never respond well to therapy and either succumb to the disease and pass or are humanely euthanized shortly after diagnosis."
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The best way to show interest in an animal is to submit an adoption application by visiting our website (www.rescuenetworkmn.org).
Adoption fee includes spay/neuter, all age-appropriate vaccinations (distemper, rabies, and bordetella), heartworm and flea/tick preventatives, heartworm test (dogs), FIV/FeLV test (cats), dewormed, and microchip implant (including registration).
Rescue Network is strictly foster based which means all adoptable animals are in a home and there cannot be a meet until an application is submitted and approved. We have no way of knowing the breeds in the animals. All breeds listed are best guess."
