Phoenix 13-043

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Welcome to the Golden Life!
 "Given in honor of Jasper of Jasperwood"

Addie
"Lots of sloppy kisses!"

 

 


Phoenix is a 1.5-year-old, 50-pound, male Golden/Lab mix. He is good with all people, large and small, gets along with the cat and all the other dogs, old and young, boys and girls. He is quite a love bug and a Velcro dog. As of now, he is unavailable for adoption because he is recovering from a terrible staph skin infection and underweight, and he needs to be neutered, which will take some time. His immune system is quite compromised, so no surgery for a while. But, I would like to still tell you about this sweet boy.

On 2/9/13, I received Diamond and Phoenix as a pair from a shelter that rescued them from a terrible neglect situation. The dogs shared a small enclosed shed, in two separate cages. They were found debilitated from malnutrition, dehydration, and no free movement or exercise. Phoenix could not even stand on his legs when he arrived at the shelter. The shed was described as an outhouse full of urine and feces. The shelter staff involved with these dogs fell in love with them and even transported them to my home with lots of hugs and hopes of a wonderful future for these guys. Everyone who comes in contact with these wonderful dogs are instantly showered with attention and licks. Both are so thankful for being alive. I think they are angels. This pair were very timid of the doorway getting into the house and then could not navigate the stairs. With some encouragement, Diamond was the first to do everything, and Phoenix, with time, would follow her lead. They are very curious of their own reflections, and Diamond would bark at herself. They are both learning about their world for the first time. Both are very happy pups now. See the video when they first arrived at my home . Phoenix is the smaller golden-colored dog with hairless, black-colored legs and tail. And here is a video of Phoenix learning to love toys .

2/12/13: We went to the vet. Phoenix has an elevated temperature. When he came to me, he was started on an oral antibiotic and an antibiotic/antiseptic shampoo. He was losing his appetite and not eating, with small amounts of vomiting, So, he was given an injection of antibiotic, probiotics, prilosec, and prescription I/D food for sensitive stomach. He has an ear infection, so we started an ear ointment and ear rinses, and we were told to shampoo him twice a week. We were not able to do immunizations due to his poor condition and weak immune system. We are hoping to get them done next week.

2/15/13: Phoenix is holding food down and his stools are normal. His fur is coming in on his chest and legs, and he loves his baths. He started getting a croup-sounding cough.

2/16/13: Over the night, he coughed up thick, yellow sputum and was awake all night coughing.

2/17/13: We called the vet, and Phoenix received a different oral antibiotic and was given an anti-inflammatory for elevated temperature and discomfort. He slept better this night.

2/18/13: We got into the vet. Phoenix was miserable. He lost the shine in his eyes and became very weak. The vet admitted him for the night with IV fluids and IV antibiotics. He had a 104-105 temperature, so he was given anti-inflammatory meds. His X-ray shows severe pneumonia, but other tests show negative for parvo, which is very important due to his best friend, Diamond, showing positive and being in critical condition. The overnight will determine if he has enough fight to get through this.

2/19/13: We had a call from vet in the morning with some good news. His temperature broke, and he has eaten and drunk some fluids. The vet wants to continue with the IV and observe him for today. Later today, we had more good news. They were able to discontinue the IV fluids, and Phoenix continues to eat and drink without difficulty. His cough is still terrible, but he is expelling all the infection in his lungs. He is given nebulizer treatments. The vet says he is doing better, but it will be a couple of weeks before we can say he is completely out of the red zone. We will all continue to give prayers for both of these wonderful angels.

At a Glance #13-043

Golden Retriever Born: September 2011
Male 40 lbs

Status: Adopted

Profile

Sponsored by:

 

Welcome to the Golden Life!
 "Given in honor of Jasper of Jasperwood"

Addie
"Lots of sloppy kisses!"

 

 


Phoenix is a 1.5-year-old, 50-pound, male Golden/Lab mix. He is good with all people, large and small, gets along with the cat and all the other dogs, old and young, boys and girls. He is quite a love bug and a Velcro dog. As of now, he is unavailable for adoption because he is recovering from a terrible staph skin infection and underweight, and he needs to be neutered, which will take some time. His immune system is quite compromised, so no surgery for a while. But, I would like to still tell you about this sweet boy.

On 2/9/13, I received Diamond and Phoenix as a pair from a shelter that rescued them from a terrible neglect situation. The dogs shared a small enclosed shed, in two separate cages. They were found debilitated from malnutrition, dehydration, and no free movement or exercise. Phoenix could not even stand on his legs when he arrived at the shelter. The shed was described as an outhouse full of urine and feces. The shelter staff involved with these dogs fell in love with them and even transported them to my home with lots of hugs and hopes of a wonderful future for these guys. Everyone who comes in contact with these wonderful dogs are instantly showered with attention and licks. Both are so thankful for being alive. I think they are angels. This pair were very timid of the doorway getting into the house and then could not navigate the stairs. With some encouragement, Diamond was the first to do everything, and Phoenix, with time, would follow her lead. They are very curious of their own reflections, and Diamond would bark at herself. They are both learning about their world for the first time. Both are very happy pups now. See the video when they first arrived at my home . Phoenix is the smaller golden-colored dog with hairless, black-colored legs and tail. And here is a video of Phoenix learning to love toys .

2/12/13: We went to the vet. Phoenix has an elevated temperature. When he came to me, he was started on an oral antibiotic and an antibiotic/antiseptic shampoo. He was losing his appetite and not eating, with small amounts of vomiting, So, he was given an injection of antibiotic, probiotics, prilosec, and prescription I/D food for sensitive stomach. He has an ear infection, so we started an ear ointment and ear rinses, and we were told to shampoo him twice a week. We were not able to do immunizations due to his poor condition and weak immune system. We are hoping to get them done next week.

2/15/13: Phoenix is holding food down and his stools are normal. His fur is coming in on his chest and legs, and he loves his baths. He started getting a croup-sounding cough.

2/16/13: Over the night, he coughed up thick, yellow sputum and was awake all night coughing.

2/17/13: We called the vet, and Phoenix received a different oral antibiotic and was given an anti-inflammatory for elevated temperature and discomfort. He slept better this night.

2/18/13: We got into the vet. Phoenix was miserable. He lost the shine in his eyes and became very weak. The vet admitted him for the night with IV fluids and IV antibiotics. He had a 104-105 temperature, so he was given anti-inflammatory meds. His X-ray shows severe pneumonia, but other tests show negative for parvo, which is very important due to his best friend, Diamond, showing positive and being in critical condition. The overnight will determine if he has enough fight to get through this.

2/19/13: We had a call from vet in the morning with some good news. His temperature broke, and he has eaten and drunk some fluids. The vet wants to continue with the IV and observe him for today. Later today, we had more good news. They were able to discontinue the IV fluids, and Phoenix continues to eat and drink without difficulty. His cough is still terrible, but he is expelling all the infection in his lungs. He is given nebulizer treatments. The vet says he is doing better, but it will be a couple of weeks before we can say he is completely out of the red zone. We will all continue to give prayers for both of these wonderful angels.

Updates

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Hey guys! It's me, Happyjack! Just a quick update to let you know that I am all recovered from my visit to the vet and racing around like normal. If you check out my pictures, you will see that wearing that stupid hat-thingy around for more than a week wasn't all bad... It gave me a place to store my ball while I was sitting for treats! I'm also sending photo evidence of my Golden Retriever status. Yup! I'm getting tail feathers! How cool is that? FD says my coat is growing like a weed, but it's a really soft, silky, pretty-looking weed if I do say so myself! I am just hanging out here waiting for my forever family to find me. FM says she is looking for just the right crew to work with my exuberance (whatever that means) and keep me all loved up. Maybe that's you?

I also want all my friends that live in the computer to know that I am sending love and wall-thumping tail wags to them for their support! Jasper of Jasperwood, I totally want a place named after me! Addie, I'm all for sloppy kisses, especially when the ladies are involved! Buddy 12-343, I am rocking the running thing -- You should see my zoomies! I get my butt way down low and do a fantastic figure-eight pattern! I knock stuff over, crash into furniture, and create general havoc, but it doesn't slow me down... I am FAST! To my super-secret friend "L.", I'm sending hearts right back at you from special agent "P". And, of course to the Fedo crew -- when you are ready for a fantastic vacation to the place of your dreams, you can visit me here in Iowa! We got all kinds of great stuff here like grass, toads, other dogs, poop to sniff, trees to pee on, our own personal cat to chase... We even have DQ! It'll be the trip of lifetime for you guys!

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Exuberant! That is the best single word I can think of to describe Mr. Phoenix/Happyjack. This guy is LIVING! Unfortunately, all the positive thoughts in the world don't seem to give us the negative skin scrape we are looking for... Once again, this special boy will be treated for mange for three more weeks and then re-tested. On the plus side, his skin and coat are looking so much better...

Phoenix/Happyjack is going to need a home that is ready to play! This boy has energy to spare. So, he is looking for an active family. I think he would do best with another dog, but I am willing to consider a family without a second pup if they spend a lot of time at home and are ready to provide lots of physical and mental stimulation for my boy. He does stick close by and would be ok without a fence if his adoptive family is committed to boundary training him. He loves kids (really anything that moves!), car rides, and walks, though he does pull on a flat collar.

Here is hoping that the next time is the charm on the skin scrape and he will be ready to get all fixed up and find his forever family!

 

Thursday, March 28, 2013

3/26/13: We went to the vet for a follow-up, and Phoenix has gained 6 lbs, which is wonderful. The vet said 5 more lbs and he will be at his ideal weight. He is still quite itchy, so we have been giving him Benadryl a couple of times a day. He has been on treatment for Demodex for 2 weeks and we are not seeing quite the progress we expected. Due to all the antibiotics he has been on, the vet is going to treat him for yeast on the skin, which could also cause irritation and itchiness. He will be on oral Fluconazole for awhile and see if this helps, and we are still bathing him 1-2 times a week. His tail is healed up now. So he will need a recheck in 2 weeks. His fur looks kinda crazy, but the fur now coming in is softer and more healthy.

3/27/13: He is now with his permanent foster in Iowa. We brought him down there today. He seemed to get along with her doggy crew, and I know she will continue to care for him and love him till this boy finds his real home. We will miss you, Phoenix, and are looking forward to your full recovery and see you as the beautiful dog you really are.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Well, we have some good news and bad news....

Last week, Phoenix and another dog were wrestling in the back yard, nothing unusual other than Phoenix was feeling a lot better and refused to listen to the signals that the other dog was telling him to slow down and/or back off, and Phoenix has some battle wounds to show for it. Poor boy, still learning things about his world that he should have learned a long time ago as a younger pup. He spent the night at the vet again and he was so sad when we left him. The next afternoon, I picked him up and he was shaved along his left shoulder with a couple open areas, and his right ear was slightly ripped. He did not look nearly as bad as we thought when we left him the evening before. He cleaned up nicely, but now he is set back a little because he is back on another round of antibiotics.

Here's some GOOD news! We saw the vet for a follow-up after his hospitalization on 3/12/13, and his weight is up 4 lbs since 2/18/13 when he was so sick and 1.5 lbs more then when he came to us. He has no further respiratory issues. The end of his tail is healed, but I continue to cover it with a blister bandage to protect it for a while until he gains some extra weight and has hair growing on it. He was healthy enough to receive his vaccinations and microchip.


Phoenix showing off his rabies tag

OK, now some BAD news. (It is still looking up, just a bit longer then expected.) The vet did a skin scrape due to his hair growing back but his skin is still very black in color, and he is now itching up a storm and chewing out his hair. The test showed Demodex. He has a mange caused by a mite just under the skin. It appears most dogs have this as a normal skin flora which causes no problems, but when a dog's immune system is not working correctly, the infestation overruns the skin, and the dog will need help with a medication called Ivermectin which will have to be given daily for 6 weeks. If the skin scrape is negative after that, we will discontinue therapy; otherwise, we will continue therapy for 4 more weeks. So, for now, we can safely say he will be unable to go home with a forever family till sometime in May. He will also need to be neutered.

The BEST NEWS is that he has been given a chance for a great future. Thanks to my past foster pup, Addie, that now has a awesome forever family, that did not forget the challenges and rescue dogs need to take care of each other!!! As well as Jasper and all the hugs and kisses from Buddy, L, and the Fedo crew.

Watch me now, as I will go on to live the Golden Life.

And by the way, Sis (Diamond 13-043), don't forget our play date next weekend. We did it. Foster Mom is gonna go cry now. What a couple of miracles.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Buddy 12-343 wishes you well and hopes to see you running around in no time!! Buddy 12-343 wishes you well and hopes to see you running around in no time!!
From L From L.
Sending lots of love and healing thoughts from the Fedo crew! Sending lots of love and healing thoughts from the Fedo crew!

Buddy 12-343 wants to wish you well and send you a Valentine. He is hoping to see you running around in no time! Buddy 12-343 wants to wish you well and send you a Valentine. He is hoping to see you running around in no time!

Saturday, February 23, 2013

2/23/13: Yesterday afternoon, the vet called and said Phoenix was ready to go home. He had been playing with toys and was getting bored. He came home and he was so full of energy, being confined for 5 days. Then, I looked at his discharge orders and they said for him not to play yet with other dogs, meaning Riley, my 1-year-old resident dog. Well, too late for that. They were so happy to see each other.

Phoenix slept well through the night on the floor by my side. When it was time to go outside and pee, he nudged me up. I let him out, and he came back in so excitable, but no coughing, which is great. Then, his bandage came off his tail, and blood spattered everywhere, on the walls, floors, and myself. Just gotta laugh it off. We are so happy he feels better. Nothing a bit of peroxide won't clean up. He felt bad about it and started licking his tail, and he let me wrap it up with no wrestling or argument. He lost a couple of pounds that he could not afford to lose. He has his appetite back and is now eating 3 cans of I/D prescription diet with Fortiflora probiotic to keep up the good, friendly bacteria. Because he is on 2 oral antibiotics, he has not had immunizations yet. Hopefully in 2 weeks, with no more surprises. He did not get his baths, so he is definitely due and will get one tonight. Thanks so much for his sponsor and hugs and kisses. We love you all for all your thoughts and contributions. I believe that's what is gonna pull these special dogs through these hard times.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

2/20/13: We could finally visit with Phoenix at the vet. He was very happy, his tail was wagging. He has an open area at the tip of his tail, which is broken open again, so that's why he has a bandage on his tail. His eyes really look clearer and he is more alert, but still coughing when he gets excited. He is now free of the IV cathedar and urinary cathedar. We brought him outside and he immediately peed and pooped - what a good boy. We miss him so much. The plan is to bring him home on Friday.