Alfalfa – Boise, Idaho
ESRA Special Needs Springer
ESRA #2008-1055ID
Age: 5 years
Gender: Male
Color: Black/White
Alfalfa has been a joy to foster, ever since we brought him home from the shelter in Caldwell, Idaho in November 2008. His foster mom named him Alfalfa because of his cute top-knot. He loves everyone he meets and enjoys sitting on people's laps. Alfie gets along with other dogs and is very well-behaved. He is a sweet boy, but has been plagued with some health problems. When we first got him, Alfie often went through periods with severe vomiting and diarrhea. It sometimes got so bad that a couple of times, he needed IV fluids because he was so dehydrated. He didn't feel well enough to play like a regular dog and spent most of his time just lying down. His foster family carried him outside for potty breaks most of the time and would carry him up the stairs when it was time for bed. He didn't have energy to go for walks and just spent his time lying around looking sad. We are so glad that Alfie has been in a loving ESRA foster home with Phil and Sharleen Smith. It's hard to imagine how he'd be doing if he spent any more time as a stray!
We tested for many things, and ruled out cancer, esophageal problems, overproduction of pancreatic enzymes, internal parasites, viruses, etc. We even tested for a genetic wasting disease, which was negative, thank goodness. As you can imagine, the testing was quite expensive.
We have tried all the non-invasive things
we can do to help him, and we want him to be able to live a good life where he won't be feeling sick to his stomach. All the
vet staff members adore him. They say they couldn't have a better patient. He has a wonderful personality and is a young dog
with so much time left. Although the shelter guessed his age as 6, our vet thinks he is younger than that, more in the 3-5
year old range.
Alfalfa also exhibited some strange behavior. Sometimes Alfalfa licks the floor and other inanimate objects, like the walls and siding. The vets thought it was anxiety. But Alfie felt worse after going on an anti-depressant. The vets said the licking the floor and walls could happen when he is nauseated. We have tried hypoallergenic special foods but saw no progress. The licking was so bad that he would get sores on his tongue. Then we tried phenobarbitol as the vet thought it could be seizure behavior. The expenses of trying so many medications and foods have added up, but we finally know what is going on. After several months, we now see that phenobarbitol is the best way to control the seizure-like licking behavior.
Update January 22, 2009 Alfie is doing really well on Science Diet i/d food. The diarrhea has stopped. He is still vomiting quite a bit and has lost five pounds so we need to figure out a way to deal with the vomiting.
Update February 1, 2009 On Thursday, Alfie underwent a scope to get to the bottom of his gastrointestinal problems. Pets First clinic in Boise did the scope at an extremely-discounted price. The scope showed that Alfie's stomach sphincter does not work properly. This is why he throws up about one-third of the time he eats. He will need to remain on the i/d food and he'll need to eat at least 6 cups a day as not all the food makes it all the way through Alfie.
Our vet said Alfie can be adopted out, but he will need a family who is committed to paying for his food (about $70 a month and possibly more depending on the vomiting). The family needs to be OK with cleaning up vomit accidents as Alfie doesn't mean to make a mess, but he does. He'll need to stay on the food or the diarrhea will come back and it is awful for him. He also needs phenobarbitol for small seizures. The phenobarbitol is very cheap, about $10 a month for his dose, but needs to be given regularly. He has very droopy eyes that need regular eye drops as well. He is worth the extra care! Alfalfa is the most mellow, laid-back boy who gets along with everyone. He deserves a great life and committed adopters who can work with the health issues. ESRA has worked so hard to identify the problems and the solutions. It's been an expensive journey, but we now know what our little guy needs. If you would like to help with his expenses, we'd sure appreciate it.
Update February 4, 2009 The biopsy results came back and the vet called us to tell us about them. Alfie's esophagus is fine. The sphincter between the esophagus and stomach is OK and his stomach lining was less inflamed than the vet thought it would be. The biopsy showed heliobacter pylori, which is the bacteria associated with ulcers in humans.
The vet is trying two antibiotics to control the h.pylori infection. He is also trying Prilosec. Sometimes the helicobacter pylori infections are hard to clear up and there is a lot of regrowth in 6 months. We will prevent that however we can. The vet thought some of Alfie's problems are because of delayed stomach emptying. Reglan has been prescribed, which helps that and also the nausea. Foster mom Sharleen has seen an immediate difference with the Reglan. To control the small seizures which involve a lot of licking, he is on Clomicalm, an anti-depressant and phenobarbitol. The seizures tend to be related to anxiety so he hopes the Clomicalm will help.
Update February 22, 2009 We found that Alfie had grand mal seizures on the Clomicalm, so it was immediately stopped. He continued to seize often for the next few days. The seizures are being treated with phenobarbitol only. Alfie is currently on a dose of 120 mg, which is quite high but hopefully temporary. The vomiting continues off and on but is better than it was a month ago. He is on more antibiotics for the h. pylori infection. We've got paws crossed that Alfie will feel better soon.
Update March 2, 2009 Hi folks, Alfie here—just wanted to let you know that I am on the mend. I have been eating a lot better and have gained 3 lbs—WOW isn't that great! My foster mom keeps the food handy and all the meds. I still have a few minor seizures but if I stay on my meds they are not so bad. There are days that go by with no seizures or throwing up. It is just going to take time and I will be a happy normal Springer. But I still do have a long road ahead of me as my Dr. says. I am going in for blood work on March 10th to make sure my phenobarbital levels are good and see if they can lower my doses. My Dr. says our goal is to just have me on the phenorbarbital and my vitamins. So that is what we are working for.
My Dr. says that the nasty bug in my tummy should be gone with all the meds I have been taking to get rid of them. Let me tell you that was awful and I wouldn't want to have to do that again. Bug in your tummy YUK—but like I said I am on the mend. I will have my foster mom give you another update later in the month.
Take care and talk to you soon.
Alfalfa (Alfie)
Update March 5, 2009 Just a note to let all know that Alfalfa has had a setback. He has taken all the antiobiotics and was off them for a few days and now we are back to not keeping food down and not drinking. He was getting dehydrated again and so I went back to our vet. They put him back on the antiobiotics again for 3 weeks. Alfie had a lot of bacteria in his stomach and Dr. Mckowen says it is sometimes hard to kill. So now we will just wait and see after three weeks. He is doing better today. He lost 2 lbs, after gaining 3. But we are back on top of things. So we will keep everyone posted on how this little fellow is doing.
Update March 15, 2009 We've just discovered that Alfie has another problem! The other night Alfie started yelping and limping as if in awful pain so I took him to the Emergency Vets. They gave him some pain meds and checked him over. They discovered that he has arthritis in his hips. They said that all of the problems that our boy Alfie is having is contributed to having been in a kennel that is too small. He must have been in one that he couldn't even turn around in and he just bounced from on hip to another to get comfortable. This wore the ball joints down. So for now Alfie is on Medcam for 14 days and then we will go from there. Folks, if you kennel your pets, PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT IT IS BIG ENOUGH FOR THEM TO MOVE AROUND AND GET COMFORTABLE.
Meanwhile, Alfie has only had one major seizure recently and his food has been staying down better until yesterday. We have an appointment on Monday to see about that. Alfie has been through so much in his short life and even through all the poking and shots and all the meds, he is a super boy about it all. This fellow so deserves to be happy and loved by a forever family. We as a foster family are so lucky to have such a special boy come into our life. He has taught us a lot as well as us teaching him.
Update March 21, 2009 Hi Folks, Alfie here—Just want you to know that I am feeling super. I have not had any seizures or throwing up for the last 5 days. Isn't that great? Dr. Ochooa and Dr. Mckowen are the greatest. They are putting their expertise together and wow it is working. They put me on some bromide stuff to go with my phenobarb and all the other meds and I think that they are on the right track. I even feel like going outside and yes, afraid I do still lick but not as bad. My foster mom and dad are really working with me to try and stop this behavior. But anyway I love to go outside with the rest of the gang and run and chase everyone. My foster family just laughs at me.
BUT THERE IS STILL ONE PROBLEM—my hips hurt if I run too much and I limp because it hurts. But I take my Medacam and wow, when it works, it works! So see folks, I still have a ways to go but with all the contributions and ESRA, I will come through this and be able to go to a forever home. So for now I will let you go and thank you to all that have sent in donations to me.
We'll send you another update after March 30 when I go for my next checkup. So talk to all of you real soon!
Alfie
Update April 1, 2009 Well folks, here's that new update I promised. I went to the vet on Monday and wow—a lot happened.
First, I am gaining weight and have had only one seizure in two weeks —I think that was because I missed my foster mom. She has been working a lot and I really miss her — but anyway one seizure and no vomiting. That is super, don't you think? Dr. Mckowen is so proud of me; he said I was doing great and he knows I will keep getting better each and every day. With my foster mom and dad and my Dr. Mckowen I know I will get well and ready for my forever home.
Now on to another note — as you know from before, I have bad hips. Well I have a new doctor, Dr. Browerman. He is great and he smells good. I licked his aftershave off — he just laughed, but he says that I need something called FHO — Femoral Head Ostectomy. Sounds like it might hurt. It has gotten to the point that I hurt and hurt. I am on Medacam and it helps but not long term. So on April 9th I am going into surgery at West VET. Don't know how long it will take but I can't wait to get to feeling 100%. I know that I have a long road to recovery but, with my foster family and all my sponsors and ESRA, I will make it.
Again thank you to all who are sponsoring me and have sent wishes to my Foster Family. I will keep you all posted after I
have this big surgery. Just keep me in your thoughts and wish me the best. PLEASE.
Alfie
Update April 14, 2009 Well I got through my April 9 FHO surgery with flying colors although the vet discovered that I have no ligaments and tendons to hold my hip in place — he thinks they must have snapped long ago when I was being kept in that crate that was way too small for me. Once back home after the surgery, I had a bout of diarrhea accompanied by vomiting possibly caused by some of my meds, a bit of fever — just a few extra aggravations to add to my pain from the surgery but the vet still says I am doing great.
I'm not eating like my Foster Family would like but they are watching to make sure I don't get dehydrated. By the way, my
Foster Mom is the greatest! She stayed awake to comfort me through those first nights after my surgery when I was in so much
pain. Like I said, she is the greatest! And my special gratitude also goes to the nice folks listed here who are helping with
my vet care and sending me good wishes!
Alfie
Update April 20, 2009 Alfie had to be hospitalized twice last week. On Wednesday morning rushed him to the vets at 4:00 am. He wasn't able to keep food or water down and he had a major seizure. We brought him back home Thursday evening but early Friday morning he started throwing up again and wasn't able to keep even his meds down. By the time we got to the emergency vets, he was lethargic and dehydrated again. He also had a fever so they kept him again. He got to come home Saturday night. Sunday morning he was able to eat and drink a little. We just have to keep the fluids going. We hope that he will keep on getting better now and have a full recovery but for now we are taking each and every day as it comes.
Update April 26, 2009 Alfalfa here — Well as you all know I was really sick after my surgery. I had to go to the Emergency Vets twice in 4 days and spend two nights. I got dehydrated and couldn't keep anything down. Then after I got home from the Emergency Vets I got dehydrated again and went to see my Dr. McKowen—great doctor. He plays with me and I make him laugh. Anyway I am feeling much better now and had only one seizure in the last week. It was a bad one but my foster mom was with me so I wasn't so scared. I start therapy tomorrow so my hip and leg can get strong so I can run and play. It still hurts when I try to walk on it but my mom rubs it and stretches it and that hurts but feels good. I try to walk on it but … as you know it hurts and I don't like pain. Anyway, folks, got to go for now but will update you after a few sessions.
THANKS AGAIN TO ALL OF YOU FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN FOR ME. I LOVE YOU ALL!
Alfie
Update May 11, 2009 Hey folks — Alfie here. Therapy is GREAT. The first time I was a little scared
because I didn't know what was going on, but once I got the hang of it WOW. It has helped more than you know. The water
therapy is a lot of fun. The ladies I work with give me lots of hugs and kisses and I love every minute of it. They put these
needles into my skin — OUCH — but once they are in there it doesn't hurt — it even feels good. I go on
Mondays and Thursdays. This last Thursday, I really didn't want my mom to go and leave me there so I put up a little fuss.
She told me she would be back that evening to get me but I was a little bit of a bad boy — I cried and barked and
dragged the assistant toward my mom. My foster mom had to walk me back to the therapy room, gave me a big hug and kiss and
left. Before I knew it she was back and I was giving her all kinds of kisses.
I know she is doing what is best for me and I want to get well and be able to run and play like the rest of the gang. Sometimes they get really pushy and mom keeps me inside so I won't get hurt. But you just wait when I am well — I will run and be right in the middle of the mischievous things they do.
Well, got to go for now as we are getting ready to go to West Vet for therapy.
Thanks folks for all the great support and notes and emails about me. I will keep you posted on what is going on in a few days. They should know more today as I have an appointment with Dr. Browerman and they will be taking an x-ray to see how I am doing. So take care.
PAW HUGS, AND KISSES TO ALL!
Alfie
Update May 27, 2009 from ESRA Coordinator Kathy Armstrong On May 22, I got to meet the sweet dog who has
inspired donations from around the world! Alfie didn't disappoint. He was the big marshmallow Sharleen had promised, loving
his belly rubs and offering a paw. His coat is so soft and he just melts into you. I was happy to see him getting along so
well on the leg that was operated on. Alfie has very little muscle tone in his rear legs as he hadn't gotten much exercise
before in his life; the legs had really atrophied. But the muscles are developing well and he is able to use his leg a lot. I
was also happy to hear that the seizures are infrequent and the tummy troubles are kept at bay with the amoxicillin and
metronidazole. Alfie has come such a long way, it is just unbelievable. It's going to be so fun to watch his progress. Thank
you to everyone who donated to ESRA for Alfie.
UPDATE JUNE 15, 2009 Hey folks, Alfalfa here — It has been a while since I wrote on my health issues. I had a little of a set back. I ended up having a bladder infection followed by crystals. Ouch, that did hurt! But my foster mom took me to see Dr. McKowen and he gave me some meds to help me feel better. That was last week and now I am on the mend. I went for my checkup with Dr. Browerman and he wasn't happy with my progress. He said I don't have enough muscle built up and I need to go for more therapy. Well, I am going to go back and get some more help building up those muscles. I need to join a doggie gym — do they have those?
Anyway folks, I just want you all to know that I am doing the best I can to get healthy and go to my Forever Home. I love my foster family especially my mom but I need a quiet and calm home. There are too many resident dogs here and I get upset when they get excited. I just want a quiet home with a mom and dad that will give me lots of hugs and kisses and tell me they love me, take me for walks and just let me lie around in the backyard and take a nap or two.
By the way, folks, I got to meet Ms. Kathy and Ms. Heather recently and let me tell you they are two great looking chicks. I got to kiss them and give them licks and I got belly rubs. Now what else could I ask for? They were here for such a short time but I fell in love with them right away. Two very special ladies with ESRA. Keep up the good work, ladies. You will be in my dreams. Thanks for all the help that you have given to me. I will never forget ESRA and all that you have done for me.
Well folks, got to go. It's supper time here and if you aren't ready for dinner, the other hooligans will eat your food and I am not about to pass my food on to them. Take care and love and kisses to all!
Alfie
Contact: Sharleen Smith sharann4@msn.com
CLICK HERE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR ALFALFA
| ALFALFA’S GENEROUS SPONSORS TO DATE: | |
|---|---|
 Jill Howard and Mozart |
In memory of Blitzen, Finian, Poco, Wylie, and Uncle Davis |
| Cathryne Slaughter |
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| Kastle Donovan |
In memory of Oliver and Chesapeake |
| Bruce Green and Melanie Gelb |
In memory of Freddie |
| Ray and Monica Smith |
Best wishes from Bailey, Chance and Benji Smith |
| Karl and Linda Lintz |
In memory of Benny, our heartdog always |
| Alisa M. Runyan |
|
| Jeanne Evans |
|
| Cary Branthwaite |
Good luck, Alfalfa! |
| Barbara deBoer |
In memory of Molly, my beloved Border Collie |
| Steve and Susy Boettcher |
Indy and Molly wish they could send more. |
| Jan Munson |
In memory of my precious Bailey |
| Tim and Lori Owens |
Get well soon, Alfie! |
| Kathy and Ed O'Malley |
|
| Thomas and Michele Speck |
In memory of Avis |
| Maxine Smith |
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| Michelle Rau |
In memory of Max |
| Eric Christensen |
In memory of Angel Liddie - Tristar Tori's Liddiette CD RE |
| Jeanne Holland Newton |
In memory of Maggie. Thank you for all you are doing to help Alfalfa—it makes me proud to be a member of ESRA. |
| Megan Brown |
In honor of my daughter Bethan's 25th birthday |
| Jim and Candy Funk |
In memory of Cowboy |
| Peter and Jaime Brockett |
Here's hoping hydrotherapy speeds Alfie's recovery! |
| Woodhaven Veterinary Clinic |
A gift on behalf of Mike Boulware in memory of Rene Boulware |
| Carol Callahan |
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| Marianne Lefebvre and Tracy Mark |
|
| Aunt Carolyn Law |
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| Joan Shields |
|
| Laura Martin |
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| Richard Bouchard |
|
| Lynn Winchester |
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| Julie Peterson |
|
| Raelynn Schwartz |
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| Kelly Priestley |
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| Susy Boettcher's dad, Ed Romack |
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| WVESSA/Oregon Springer Rescue |
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| Debi Applebum, WVESSA |
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| Bob Simpton |
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| Arnold and Spencer Cross |
In memory of our beloved Spuds, who was a very unique and loving companion |
| Cheryl King |
In memory of Shooter and Bailey |
| Boise Car Wash and Yard Sale |
The efforts of Rob and Becky Robertson, Jeanne and Dane Bourquin, Emjai, Susy Boettcher, and Sharleen Smith will provide four hydrotherapy treatments for Alfalfa! |
| Larissa Tan |
A gift in the name of Mary Turner in the memory of Sugar Turner |
| Mary Katherine Doyle |
In memory of Nellie. We're pulling for you, Alfalfa! |
| Dr. Browerman, West Vet, Boise, ID |
|
| Betty Green |
In honor of Miller, who looks like he could be Alfalfa's twin brother! |
| Theo Gund |
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