Marti – Whitehouse, OH
ESRA Special Needs Springer
ESRA #2011-970 OH
Age: 5
Gender: Female
Color: Black and white
Marti was picked up in September as a stray in Muskingum County, Ohio. She only weighed about 17lbs and was covered in dirt and mats. After the short allotted time at the shelter, the Dog Warden scheduled her to be euthanized. Luckily there was an angel on her side at the shelter who loves dogs, especially poor, sad little dogs like Marti. This angel begged the warden to let her try to find a foster home for the little girl and the warden gave in. Saved from the shelter, Marti had a vet check to see why she was so thin. She was suffering from chronic malnourishment and at 17 lbs had lost more than half her body weight. She had been starving for some time and the first vet that saw her didn't believe she would survive. Blood tests done at this vet's office suggested Addison's disease so she was started on prednisone. She gained about 6 lbs and her blood work improved — not good, but better. She was then spayed and it was noted that Marti may have recently been pregnant. She also had an ear infection and dermatitis. Just how much did this little girl have to endure?
Well, the good news is that Marti is now in the care of ESRA and we now know that her medical condition is diabetes, not Addison's. But the bad news is that we fear that this diagnosis may make it difficult to place her in a Forever Home. In addition, her current vet believes that the diabetes is a result of damage to the pancreas due do the extreme malnourishment. In other words, her condition may have been preventable. Here are the facts that every prospective adopter needs to know about her condition:
- The condition makes her susceptible to any and all infections and she can develop cataracts almost overnight.
- If she requires surgery or cuts herself she will have a hard time healing and injuries sometimes may not heal at all.
- Insulin costs about $60 to $65 a month. Her foster mom has priced it both online and retail and that is pretty consistent. But she did find it at Sam's Club for $24.88. There are also syringes but they aren't terribly expensive.
- She will require a prescription diet. An 8.5 lb bag of the vet-recommended food is approximately $20.00 and will possibly last almost two weeks
- There is a very strict schedule. She must be fed and receive an injection every 12 hours and there isn't much room for missteps, an hour tops, so you always need a backup plan.
- She can eat absolutely nothing between feedings so training is also a little different since you cannot reward her with treats. Something as simple as getting into the trash can be life threatening.
- There may be exercise limitations. We're not quite sure on that at this point.
- If she receives too much insulin she will become hypoglycemic and will go into shock. This condition is life threatening. If she doesn't receive enough insulin she will become hyperglycemic. That condition is not immediately life threatening but if not resolved it results in long term damage.
- If she is not treated at all, Marti will die a slow, painful death.
Marti's foster mom, who is committed to her care until an adopter can be found, trusts that Marti's Forever Family is out there:
“Caring for a diabetic dog requires an owner that is aware, vigilant and committed. I think if you have a dog that is diagnosed with diabetes you would naturally just deal with it because you love that dog. But to take on the expense and inconvenience with a young dog that you do not know is a little different. But of course all ESRA volunteers know that there are certainly people out there that will adopt her regardless. We just need to find that person.”
Marti is a sweet, sweet girl and, now that she is feeling comfortable, is beginning to share her personality. In spite of her history, she is a happy dog and her tail is a constant blur. She is very devoted to her people and extremely sensitive to their actions. She is timid and tentative when approaching you, as if not sure of her welcome, and any affection sends her into sighs of delight and will result in many puppy kisses letting you know how much she loves you. Her adoptive home will need to understand that they hold her little heart in their hands and can easily hurt her feelings.
She is a typical young Springer who enjoys the company of other dogs and she is always trying to entice her foster siblings to play. Although untrained she is well-mannered in the house. Marti is housetrained but can have accidents if she is not allowed outside on a regular basis. This is due to the fact the diabetes is not yet regulated and at this time she needs excessive amounts of water. We do hope to bring this under control as we work to stabilize the disease.
She is very petite and physically shows signs of the neglect but time and care will fix. She had lost most of her beautiful Springer coat and it is just now starting to grow back in. With TLC she will be simply stunning.
Marti is a jewel who is well worth the extra effort required to maintain her health. The optimum home for her will include a canine companion and loving, vigilant owners as committed to her as she will certainly be to them. Could that home be yours?
UPDATE 1/31/12: UPDATE FROM MART'S FOSTER MOM: The Blood Glucose Monitor has been very helpful. We have not completely regulated her condition yet but we are much closer to understanding her glucose cycle and are making little adjustments in her diet, the time of her meals and the timing of her insulin. Using the monitor we were able to confirm that her cycle is atypical of most diabetic dogs and that and my research has allowed me to make these small, informed changes. This weekend I will be testing her to see if that has made any difference.
I have learned that it can take a year or even longer to regulate the blood glucose levels so I am happy that we are as close as we are. Something like 80% of diabetic dogs go blind within the first year after diagnosis and at this point my biggest concern is blindness and I am keeping a close watch for cloudiness in her eyes.
Overall she is doing great and you would never know she has a medical condition. Her coat is growing in and she is filling out a little bit, well on her way to becoming one of the most beautiful Springers I have ever seen. She is loving, affectionate, happy, energetic and enthusiastic — a typical adolescent Springer. She is wonderful with all of my dogs and she has learned Sit, Stay, Down and No, even without the encouragement of treats. She is very intelligent, focused and wants to please so it hasn't been hard to train her.
We are still having challenges with separation anxiety and I am trying a Thundershirt combined with a pheromone collar. It has helped somewhat but we still have a ways to go. I have obtained a script of Anxitane and will probably start her on that this weekend as a last resort.
Contact: Debra Westrick at dkwestrick@yahoo.com if you want to hear more about Marti.
CLICK HERE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR MARTI
| MARTI’S GENEROUS SPONSORS TO DATE: | |
|---|---|
 Ray and Monica Smith |
In memory of Chance and Benji |
| Janet and Denny Burkenpas |
In memory of Mandy |
| Andrea R. Rea |
In memory of Schpyder. Hang in there, Marti. |
| Karl and Linda Lintz |
In memory of Paulie, Teddy, Benny and Pokey — Marti, you have the best foster parents on earth! Bless you all. |
| Mary A. Lyons |
In memory of Annie, the Fox Terrier, a friend to all ESS! |
| Michelle Boytim |
In memory of Ms. Liddie, our first rescue Springer, much missed |
| Christopher |
In memory of Jefferson |
| Kathleen Jasnoch |
In memory of Casey Jasnoch, my sweet Springer |
| Carolyn Molloy |
In memory of Meghan, June Davis's beloved Springer 1/31/2012 |
| Alisa Runyan |
In loving memory of Scooter who we miss every day |
| Laura Gourley |
In memory of Penelope. May you run the many miles in the sunshine like she and I did. |
| Terry and Carolyn Wall |
In memory of Emma Rose |
| Anonymous |
In memory of my beloved Elsie |
| Elizabeth and Brian Betz |
In memory of Millie. Thank you for your faith in Marti and for reminding all of us of the good in so many dogs and people. |
| Janet and Denny Burkenpas |
In memory of Mandy |
| Denis Weber |
Marti's story touched our hearts and we hope this small gift will help with her bills. We will be praying for her well-being...God bless this sweet little angel! |
|
|
|
|