Note: An Owner had called about 10 days earlier. They wanted to
turn-in their 6 yr old Pyr. "She's got all her shots, and she takes those monthly pills." I had asked if there was anything I could do to help them be able to keep their pet. "No, she just needs more room." Yeah, right...
I explained I was overwhelmed with summer dumping. I asked that her vet records be faxed to me, and that she be screened for HW. I'd been given the name of their vet. I told them I'd come meet the dog, take pictures, put her on the Website, and screen homes---explained that it might be difficult, and take some time because of her age.
I did not hear back from them. I didn't even realize this was the same dog right away. They had dumped her at the shelter 24 miles away. I called them on the pretense of finding out the brand of dog food they had fed her, to avoid tummy aches, and was told they dumped her because they were going to be traveling…
Checking with the Vet's office, the information the family had given as her treating Vet, I find she has not been seen since Early June of 1999--and only once more before that. Only 2 Vet visits in her whole life?!
Now it is Sunday, and I see she has a problem—a dribble of urine escapes her unnoticed. She is squatting frequently to urinate. UTI, Urinary Track Infection, I think –and I am glad that she only has to wait until the next day to be treated by a Vet.
She greets all at the Vet’s office as if they are all old friends, and a specimen is collected. She is examined, and wins the hearts of all she meets. And yes, there is an infection present. She is hugged and petted, and sent home with medicines.
I named her Eleanor. She comes and puts her head against me and leans, looking up at me with the sweetest expression. There is some slight improvement over the next week, but this isn’t lasting. Wednesday, I awake to find bloody little puddles of urine everywhere. It is very bloody, and very frightening. I call my vet, and am out the door rushing her to the office, worrying “What now, Poor Eleanor? On top of Heartworm?”
Another specimen is collected, a complete blood panel, and now x-rays. I fear liver damage, because she is Heartworm positive. I think Eleanor might make the Guinness Book of World Records. She has bladder stones. No, make that rocks! X-rays reveal a mass, stones the size of goose eggs. Constant pressure causing the dribbles, and surgery is necessary.
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