Sugar 11-363

Profile

My oh my... I don't know how I got to be the lucky foster for little Miss Sugar but lucky I am!  Sugar is as sweet as her name implies!  Sugar came from a home where she was very much loved and her surrender was quite difficult, however Sugar has a medical condition that will require an expensive surgery and the family could not afford to get it done for her.

Sugar has what we think is an ectopic ureter.  It basicaly means that one of the ureters that comes from the kidneys bypasses her bladder and goes right into her urethra, which means she leaks urine.  This is something that can be fixed with surgery, which is what this sweet sweet Sugar will have on Monday.  Tomorrow morning she will be going in for a test called an IVU to ensure that her diagnosis is correct before she undergoes surgery.  An IVU (intravenous urogram) is a special x-ray series performed after an initial screening test such as an ultrasound of the abdomen has revealed the presence of some urinary abnormality in the urinary system. This is a test that helps to visualise the entire urinary system. This test is the definitive test for ectopic ureters.

Sugar came in and met my pack with no issues (on her part).  My boys are getting older and a little more grumpy and let her know that they didn't want her jumping on them or getting into their faces.  Millie, however, decided she loves having a new playmate.  Click here to see what my house will be like for the next couple days! 

She also found exactly where the toy box is and made herself at home by pulling out every bone she could find to lay with and chew on... what a silly girl!

One of the best things about this little one is that she IS potty trained.  When she needs to go potty she will go to the door and ask to go out and do her business outside.  So we know at least one ureter is working! 

I want to say a huge THANK YOU to Judith for not only picking Sugar up and delivering her to my house, but she provided me with a special diaper for Sugar so we can keep my house urine free!  Check out the pictures to see what it is like!  What a godsend you are!  Lucky was a very lucky boy!

I will keep you updated as I learn more about miss Sugar.  She will be spending most of her day tomorrow at the vet's office and then I'll make sure to give her lots of spoiling over the weekend... how could you resist NOT spoiling this one?

Once we know her prognosis and what her recovery is expected to be, we can start looking at forever homes for her.  Please note that she IS a puppy... she will need someone committed to obedience, committed to exercise and someone who KNOWS that she could double in size.  You will need to have PATIENCE when she chews your shoe & you will need to have lots and lots of LOVE for this one... She is more than worth it.

If you're interested, keep her in mind!

At a Glance #11-363

Golden Retriever Born: March 2011
Female 40 lbs

Status: Adopted

Profile

My oh my... I don't know how I got to be the lucky foster for little Miss Sugar but lucky I am!  Sugar is as sweet as her name implies!  Sugar came from a home where she was very much loved and her surrender was quite difficult, however Sugar has a medical condition that will require an expensive surgery and the family could not afford to get it done for her.

Sugar has what we think is an ectopic ureter.  It basicaly means that one of the ureters that comes from the kidneys bypasses her bladder and goes right into her urethra, which means she leaks urine.  This is something that can be fixed with surgery, which is what this sweet sweet Sugar will have on Monday.  Tomorrow morning she will be going in for a test called an IVU to ensure that her diagnosis is correct before she undergoes surgery.  An IVU (intravenous urogram) is a special x-ray series performed after an initial screening test such as an ultrasound of the abdomen has revealed the presence of some urinary abnormality in the urinary system. This is a test that helps to visualise the entire urinary system. This test is the definitive test for ectopic ureters.

Sugar came in and met my pack with no issues (on her part).  My boys are getting older and a little more grumpy and let her know that they didn't want her jumping on them or getting into their faces.  Millie, however, decided she loves having a new playmate.  Click here to see what my house will be like for the next couple days! 

She also found exactly where the toy box is and made herself at home by pulling out every bone she could find to lay with and chew on... what a silly girl!

One of the best things about this little one is that she IS potty trained.  When she needs to go potty she will go to the door and ask to go out and do her business outside.  So we know at least one ureter is working! 

I want to say a huge THANK YOU to Judith for not only picking Sugar up and delivering her to my house, but she provided me with a special diaper for Sugar so we can keep my house urine free!  Check out the pictures to see what it is like!  What a godsend you are!  Lucky was a very lucky boy!

I will keep you updated as I learn more about miss Sugar.  She will be spending most of her day tomorrow at the vet's office and then I'll make sure to give her lots of spoiling over the weekend... how could you resist NOT spoiling this one?

Once we know her prognosis and what her recovery is expected to be, we can start looking at forever homes for her.  Please note that she IS a puppy... she will need someone committed to obedience, committed to exercise and someone who KNOWS that she could double in size.  You will need to have PATIENCE when she chews your shoe & you will need to have lots and lots of LOVE for this one... She is more than worth it.

If you're interested, keep her in mind!

Updates

Sunday, October 30, 2011

It seems past time to talk about Sugar the puppy instead of Sugar the bladder :)

Sugar is AWESOME.  She has fit into this household so perfectly.  She loves every dog, every person, every kid, every cat she has met.  She REALLY wants to play with the resident cat however Gizmo is not so keen and has slapped her (without claws) a couple times but she still doesn't get the hint.  Gizmo is just fine with her, he comes out all the time to get attention so she is not aggressive and he knows that.

Sugar is a little thing who is so incredibly happy.  When she sees you her body wiggles with her tail.  One of the first things she does is plop her butt down so I'll give her kisses and cuddles.  She just closes her eyes and snuggles in with you.  I thinks he would sit like that all day if she could.  All she wants is love and attention, and I have been absolutely obliging!

Sugar is a smiler and sometimes when she sees you looking at her or saying her name, the backs of her lips just curl up a little bit.  It's adorable and just warms your heart.

Sugar is full of manners, I'm absolutely amazed.  When she plays with you she will sometimes put her teeth on your hands but then within a split second realizes what she did and immediately removes her mouth.  She does this before I can even correct the behavior.  She doesn't jump up on anyone.  She pulls on a leash but since she's not allowed on walks for another week, we haven't been working on this.  She sits before she eats, she takes her meds like a pro and is just all around pretty much perfect!

Sugar has gone up to 7 hours without having an accident during the day.  She is 100% housetrained and goes to the door everytime she needs to potty.  If I don't see her, she will whine.  If I continue ignoring her she will bark and scratch at the door. 

It has been almost a week since she had her surgery and it hasn't slowed her down a bit!  I have to give her some timeouts so she will lay down.  She wants to play with Millie ALL the time and of course Millie obliges because they are the best of buds.  While she LOVES having a buddy to play with, she will be just fine in a home where she is an only dog.  As long as YOU are committed to doing socialization with her she will thrive.

Sugar likes you to chase her so if you don't have a fence, she will need to be leashed until you have taken her through obedience and a bond is formed.  She will definitely benefit from obedience and I want this something that YOU are committed to doing for, and with, her.

Now... to talk about the Sugar with the bladder.  She has been doing AWESOME!  She leaks at night when she is asleep and that is all!  She doesn't leak at all during the day.  We have a vet appt in a week and I have a feeling she will be put on a med for this leaking but the improvement is amazing!  I've received information from several RAGOM people who have dogs with this issue and have gotten some great advice.  One thing is dogs that have these issues, even with meds, shouldn't be left for more than 7-8 hours at a time.  Their bladder becomes too full and then they leak.  Sugar sleeps in bed with me, she is a GREAT snuggler, and I simply have been putting an old towel under her bum. 

Sugar is such an amazing pupper and she deserves an amazing home!  I know it can be daunting to think about taking a dog that may have issues like this but I can GUARANTEE you will love this girl so much you'll be able to overlook a little nocturnal leakage!