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Casey - Lower Mainland, BC ESRA # 2003-397CBC
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February,
2004
What
a wonderful girl! There's a lot to love in this 58# girl and she gives
it back tenfold. We don't know how she got her silly little grin but her
teeth are in good condition despite the raging infection at war in her
body. I've seen "bad ears" before but this is the first time
I've seen and smelled such ears. They are completely blocked and the vet
believes that she will need surgery to remove the calcified scar tissue
from the canals. As we removed the hair from her ears, we found them to
be caked to the inner ear leather. And this is what we discovered...
Her feet
are also affected. When we shaved her down at the shelter, we discovered
3 inch nails and tender, oozing swelling on all four feet. At this time,
we cannot diagnose if this is a severe contact/food allergy or caused
by foxtails. It is truly amazing to watch her walk knowing that with each
step, she must be crying.
But this is the start of her new life! No going back... just forward towards good health and a new home. With quality food, good medicine and daily soakings in the tub, I'm determined to get her to a place where she will withstand surgery. And, while the doctor said that the likeliness is she will not hear again, she heard a whistle today!!
With health issues aside, Casey is good with other dogs, with cats and is just an exceptional dog around humans. (Could have had less poking and prodding by the vet though!) She is extremely clean in the house and a gentle dog with food. She thanks you with lady-like wigglebutt action.
Update September 1, 2003: The swelling and redness of Casey's feet and ears has diminished greatly. In addition to antibiotics, she gets a daily foot bath and nail trims every few days. The swelling in her ears is down and I am able to start to get medications into the ear canal. I know that this causes her great discomfort but she is patient with the treatments.
The
feet that could hardly hold her up now carry her around the yard as she
plays with the other dogs. She can jump up to greet me and has a serious
case of wigglebutt. Casey has also lost a bit of weight.
The
best news is that she still has some hearing. From a deep sleep she can
hear her name, and a whistle brings her to the door.
UPDATE: January 4,2004: Casey had her ear ablation surgery on December 16, 2003. The surgery was 3.5 hours in length and the surgeon reports "examined under sedation; severe, bilateral otitis externa with markedly widened, calcified ear canals on palpation". Translation: Casey's ear canals were filled with calicification due to 5 years of untreated ear infections.
The surgeon "dissected and resected left vertical and horizontal ear canals... dissected facial nerve free from calcified tissue and retracted ventrally; performed lateral bulla osteotomy with rongeurs and drained middle ear... routine closure 2-0 PDS muscle & SQ, 2-0 Ethilon skin." Translation: Surgeon removed calcification in ear canal and had to carefully tease the facial nerve out of the calcification so that Casey's face would not be affected. (including blinking of the eye) She removed the bulla (or yucky stuff) and drained any remaining infection from the middle ear. She sewed the ear shut.
The sample taken from Casey's ear reveals the she had Corynebacterium (light growth present) and Streptoccus Viridans (light growth present) which means that we treated her appropriately prior to surgery.
Casey is much happier two weeks post-op. She is playing with her stuffed toys, running with the other dogs and can hear high voices. We anticipate that her next surgery will take place in 3 weeks time.
UPDATE: February 13 ,2004: Well, she's come a long way baby. Six months ago I met Casey and my heart broke when I saw the condition of her feet and ears. It's been a journey of love and learning for both of us.
Her first ear ablation was done on December 16, 2003 and her recovery was slow. She isolated herself often to avoid rambunctous dogs and did not want much attention. Just when she was back to playing with the others and woo-wooing for her dinner, she had to have her second surgery in early February 2004. I remember thinking that she would never forgive me for putting her through this again.
She bounced back!!! Nothing could keep her down this time. Casey demanded her dinner on time and laughed at me when she lay in the middle of the kitchen floor. She initiated play with others and stole their toys.
And for the last three nights in my care, she asked to be up on the bed. We cuddled and discussed the last six months as time gone by too quickly. I groomed her one last time and explained that my tears were ones of happiness because she had two very excited people and two very excited dogs waiting to meet her.
This
week, Casey flew home. One plane from Vancouver to Prince George and then
a private plane ride--with a window seat-- to Yellowknife NT. She doesn't
like the cold icy ground but her new mom made her boots and a coat to
show off her wiggle.
Thank you to everyone who offered their financial and emotional support during her foster care. You provided the means to give Casey a painfree life. I was honoured to be her foster mom and to discover the diamond beneath those years of neglect.
Thank you to Tom and Pam Steggles for your patience and your support
until we got Casey home.
Contact: Donna Toews reflxyon@telus.net
| CASEY'S GENEROUS SPONSORS, THAT MADE ALL THIS POSSIBLE:: | |
 Megan
Brown |
In memory of my dad, Robin Watt, who first taught me to love Springers |
| Cathryne
Slaughter |
In memory of my dad, Alton Jones, who passed on his love of animals to me |
| Pam
and Tom Steggles |
In memory of Maggie, our first springer. Now we are hooked! |
| Michelle
I. Gehr and Jim Molenda |
In memory of Polo, Sam, Cass, and Buddy |
| Cindy
Brassfield |
In memory of all the "Special" Springers I have known |
| Monica
Harrington |
Thank you for fostering Casey! I look forward to reading an update soon. |
| Judy
& Tony Leone |
In memory of Mandy Lou. We know you are in Heaven swimming with the angels. Dive Mandy Lou! |
| Leota
M. Svetlik |
In memory of Lori & Amos |
| Gregory
Morse |
A gift for Casey from Buddy |
| Anne
Caughey |
To Casey from Lilly Pupster |
| Dianne
Shanley |
In memory of Nigel and Milo Shanley |
| Shannon
Barr |
In Memory of: Lacey, my first Springer that started my love of the breed. I miss you girl, you were the best |
| Beverly
J. Barnes |
In memory of Fergie, the most wonderful Springer and my best friend for 15 years |
| Dale
Kneller and Cheryl Thorpe |
In memory of Fergie, and to celebrate Beverly Barnes' birthday |
| Cynthia
Brassfield |
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In honor of Kathy's birthday, from Barb, Yvonne, Shirley, Lillian, Gary, Lila, Bruce, Tom, Dee, Gloria, Lorraine, Lorna, Jeanne, Connie & Bernie |
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In memory of Radar, Taffy, and Sugar |
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| Michelle
Reichlin |
In memory of my first Springer, Niles,
and to honor my first Rescue Springer, Cooper |
| Ken
Viani |
In memory of my own Springer, Casey |
| Kim
and Carroll Hudson |
In memory of Chelsea Pup and all the other Special Springers |
| James
G. Rittenhouse |
In memory of Miss Elzy |
| Sarah
Johnson |
For my Millie, may Dog Heaven be a better place |