Behold, Squee the Pirate!
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Avast, Matey!
Happy Halloween, everybody! Squee's not quite feeling up to being costumed today (if you discount her going as a lamp, now she's wearing an e-collar), but luckily I have some photos of her in a halloween costume from when she visited Kathy and Mouse!
Behold, Squee the Pirate!
Behold, Squee the Pirate!
Scrappy Squee!
It's been a rough week, here, but at least Squee is keep her spirits up. Even with her leg hurting and her head in a "cone of shame", she's still her playful self.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Leg Update
Today, when we went to my vet to change the bandage on Squee's leg, I got my first good look at the damage that's been done to it by the infection. Besides the sore on her upper leg, she has a large, nasty open wound wrapping around the underside of her wrist. I have a few pictures below, though I'll warn that they're somewhat graphic and you may want to skip them if that sort of thing makes you ick out.
I also called the specialist vet we've been working with to talk to him further about Squee's chances at keeping her leg. Basically, if we can get this infection purged, and it hasn't caused any nerve damage to her foot, her chances of a successful surgery are about the same as they were before, which is to say, we have no guarantees, but there is a chance we can fix and straighten that leg.
If, on the other hand, the infection goes septic, the foot begins to die or she's lost the use of her foot through nerve death, at that point, amputation is going to be our only option. If she keeps getting recurring infections, then we'll have to consider amputation as well.
For now, we're leaving Squee's leg unbandaged, and I am cleaning it and applying antibiotic ointment several times a day. She's wearing a baby sock to protect it and an e-collar to keep her from licking her leg. It's very hard to watch her try to get around, because the exact spot where she has to rest her weight on that leg is where the big open wound is, so I know walking on that leg at all has to be painful for her. But, Squee is a trooper and she's in good spirits. She's eating and drinking well, wagging her tail and playing with her toys.
Please continue to keep Squee in your thoughts, and if you have been considering donating, now is definitely the time! If Squee doesn't undergo the operation to save her leg, she will have to undergo a double amputation which will cost $3,500 and she will also need a cart which will be another $500. The trouble is, amputation would have to happen much sooner than her other surgery, so we still really need help raising the funds to give her the best of all options.
Thank you so much, all of you who are continuing to follow Squee story, and thank you especially to those who have donated to help her.
Below are the photos of her leg.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I also called the specialist vet we've been working with to talk to him further about Squee's chances at keeping her leg. Basically, if we can get this infection purged, and it hasn't caused any nerve damage to her foot, her chances of a successful surgery are about the same as they were before, which is to say, we have no guarantees, but there is a chance we can fix and straighten that leg.
If, on the other hand, the infection goes septic, the foot begins to die or she's lost the use of her foot through nerve death, at that point, amputation is going to be our only option. If she keeps getting recurring infections, then we'll have to consider amputation as well.
For now, we're leaving Squee's leg unbandaged, and I am cleaning it and applying antibiotic ointment several times a day. She's wearing a baby sock to protect it and an e-collar to keep her from licking her leg. It's very hard to watch her try to get around, because the exact spot where she has to rest her weight on that leg is where the big open wound is, so I know walking on that leg at all has to be painful for her. But, Squee is a trooper and she's in good spirits. She's eating and drinking well, wagging her tail and playing with her toys.
Please continue to keep Squee in your thoughts, and if you have been considering donating, now is definitely the time! If Squee doesn't undergo the operation to save her leg, she will have to undergo a double amputation which will cost $3,500 and she will also need a cart which will be another $500. The trouble is, amputation would have to happen much sooner than her other surgery, so we still really need help raising the funds to give her the best of all options.
Thank you so much, all of you who are continuing to follow Squee story, and thank you especially to those who have donated to help her.
Below are the photos of her leg.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Flowers for Lily
When Squee came into rescue from her Missouri puppymill, she didn't come alone. She was in the company of another little pup: a 12-week-old chihuahua with hydrocephalus named Lily. Besides the fluid on her brain, a large area of skull on the top of Lily's head had never formed, so she was at high risk of accidentally injuring herself. Lily was a tiny little thing, all big eyes (and big head) with black and white speckles. Like many hydrocephalic pups, she was very small, only 1 lb 10 oz at three months old. Squee came to stay with me, and Lily remained with Lori, my rescue contact, who decided to adopt this tiny, special needs gal and make her a permanent part of her family.
Lily spent a wonderful month with Lori and her family, enjoying the high life and being adored and pampered. Unfortunately, over the course of the last two days, the fluid on Lily's brain drastically increased. Yesterday, she was in significant pain, had lost the ability to balance and had lost much or all of her vision. Emergency veterinary care gave her relief from the pain, but little Lily left us at 7am this morning.
There is a tiny, Lily-shaped hole in the hearts of all of those that knew this bright, vivacious girl, and my love goes out to Lori as she begins to cope with the loss of a pup who made herself such an essential part of the family in such a short time. Please keep Lori in your thoughts, today. Thanks to Lori's compassion and care, Lily's last month was filled with love, which I think is the real measure of a life well-lived.
Her prognosis was poor, but Lily had enough spunk and spirit, that Lori and I both thought she was going to beat the odds. She thrived in Lori's care, getting to travel everywhere with her family (even smuggled into the movies). She had the company of other dogs and, more importantly, her people. Lily adored sleeping beside Lori and her husband, and her very favorite place to be was snuggled down inside Lori's shirt.
There is a tiny, Lily-shaped hole in the hearts of all of those that knew this bright, vivacious girl, and my love goes out to Lori as she begins to cope with the loss of a pup who made herself such an essential part of the family in such a short time. Please keep Lori in your thoughts, today. Thanks to Lori's compassion and care, Lily's last month was filled with love, which I think is the real measure of a life well-lived.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Sad News for Squee
Squee had her next check up and splint change, today, and we got some bad news from the vet.
A couple days ago, Squee had developed what I thought was a contact sore at the point where the top of her splint was rubbing against her leg. I cut the bit of cloth that was bugging her away, but she was licking and worrying the leg when, before, she didn't seem bothered by the splint. She also didn't seem to walk on it as much, and I thought it was just feeling tender from the sore.
Today, we learned that the sore hadn't formed from the splint rubbing, but was actually an internal sore that had opened outwards. The contact sore she had when we first took her in must have already been a little infected, because her entire front leg now has an infection, and we think it has damaged the nerves in her lower leg and foot. Unable to properly feel her foot, she's having a harder time using that leg to try and walk.
Squee is on antibiotics and pain medication to curb the infection, but now we're faced with a difficult choice. We can keep her on an extended course of antibiotics and, once the infection is dealt with, see if the nerves in her leg and foot will recover, but the prognosis isn't very good and the process will force Squee to continue to be in pain for some time as the leg hopefully heals.
Alternately, we can choose to amputate both front legs, now, remove the limb that's hurting her but give up on saving her stronger front leg. In that case, we'd get Squee a front-wheel cart so she should be able to tear around, but without the cart, she'll have much less mobility (though she does balance on her back legs well).
I'm going to take a couple days to weigh the options. As a human, I would want to try and save the damaged leg if it were me, but Squee isn't human. I can't explain to her why she's hurting and I can't ask her what she wants for herself. I do know a young dog is a resourceful dog, and I don't doubt that Squee could be happy on just two legs. I can't decide if the better thing for her is to try and fight for saving her leg or to stop, take away what hurts, and help Squee move forward into the next stage of her little life.
For now, she's on some strong pain meds and relaxing in the position she finds most comfortable.
Please keep Squee in your thoughts and continue to spread her story.
A couple days ago, Squee had developed what I thought was a contact sore at the point where the top of her splint was rubbing against her leg. I cut the bit of cloth that was bugging her away, but she was licking and worrying the leg when, before, she didn't seem bothered by the splint. She also didn't seem to walk on it as much, and I thought it was just feeling tender from the sore.
Today, we learned that the sore hadn't formed from the splint rubbing, but was actually an internal sore that had opened outwards. The contact sore she had when we first took her in must have already been a little infected, because her entire front leg now has an infection, and we think it has damaged the nerves in her lower leg and foot. Unable to properly feel her foot, she's having a harder time using that leg to try and walk.
Squee is on antibiotics and pain medication to curb the infection, but now we're faced with a difficult choice. We can keep her on an extended course of antibiotics and, once the infection is dealt with, see if the nerves in her leg and foot will recover, but the prognosis isn't very good and the process will force Squee to continue to be in pain for some time as the leg hopefully heals.
Alternately, we can choose to amputate both front legs, now, remove the limb that's hurting her but give up on saving her stronger front leg. In that case, we'd get Squee a front-wheel cart so she should be able to tear around, but without the cart, she'll have much less mobility (though she does balance on her back legs well).
I'm going to take a couple days to weigh the options. As a human, I would want to try and save the damaged leg if it were me, but Squee isn't human. I can't explain to her why she's hurting and I can't ask her what she wants for herself. I do know a young dog is a resourceful dog, and I don't doubt that Squee could be happy on just two legs. I can't decide if the better thing for her is to try and fight for saving her leg or to stop, take away what hurts, and help Squee move forward into the next stage of her little life.
For now, she's on some strong pain meds and relaxing in the position she finds most comfortable.
Please keep Squee in your thoughts and continue to spread her story.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Many, Many Pictures
Squee went to visit Kathy Taft, owner of the Facebook famous Mouse in the House. Kathy took some outstanding photos of Squee. Here are a few of the best!
We couldn't resist a bit of dress up.
But Squee was a very good sport.
Even if we did try her patience a little.
"Don't you want to donate to help little me?"
Squee and Pico, rockin' the duds.
Puppy feet!!!!
"Enough with the outfits!"
A strange sound!
So soulful
Thank you, Kathy, for a wonderful visit and so many beautiful photos of Squee!
Monday, October 21, 2013
Squee Thank You #3
Thank you so much to all of you who have donated to help Squee!
Shout outs to our most recent donors! Thank you to Mari P. Becker, Landon Scott Van Gogh, Charles Pue, Kelly Hannon, Karon Stewart, Renee de Bruin, Gale Haugh, Catherine Boykin, Madelyn Johnson, Asuncion McConnell, and Linda Zappa Gobel! We also had one more donor who chose to remain anonymous, but thank you to that person, as well!
We couldn't have made the progress we have without you. Please keep spreading the word and letting folks know about Squee!
Shout outs to our most recent donors! Thank you to Mari P. Becker, Landon Scott Van Gogh, Charles Pue, Kelly Hannon, Karon Stewart, Renee de Bruin, Gale Haugh, Catherine Boykin, Madelyn Johnson, Asuncion McConnell, and Linda Zappa Gobel! We also had one more donor who chose to remain anonymous, but thank you to that person, as well!
We couldn't have made the progress we have without you. Please keep spreading the word and letting folks know about Squee!
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Ask Squee About It - 10.17.13
This 'Ask Squee About It' is from Gale Haugh and her Eskie pack. Gale asks:
I'm wondering how the vets are going to strengthen Squee's better front leg?
That's a really good question, Gale!
The first step is the splinting we've already begun. Splinting Squee's leg will encourage any new bone growth to happen in a normal, straight direction. It also keeps Squee from walking on the side of her arm, which was creating a sore and could have caused a lot of problems if we'd let it go on much longer. Squee needs a few months to let her leg finish growing, and splinting will help that time be as beneficial as possible.
Then, Squee will undergo an operation. The surgery will have two components: the amputation of her very deformed front right leg and the reconstruction of her front left leg. Removing the little 'chicken wing' leg will allow the vet to actually use some of the bone from that leg to rebuild the other leg. The rebuilding process will consist of breaking and reforming portions of bone that are curved and twisted. Because her joints are also malformed, they will have to be fused. This means her new leg won't be fully functional, but we are hoping it will heal straight and strong. It won't have the flexibility of a normal leg, but in conjunction with her regular back legs, this strong, straight front leg should allow Squee to support her weight, walk and run without assistance.
Thank you for your question, Gale, and for helping Squee!
If you'd like to ask a question about Squee (or dogs in general) on 'A Leg To Stand On', donate $20 or more to Squee's fund and e-mail me the question you'd like to have answered!
I'm wondering how the vets are going to strengthen Squee's better front leg?
That's a really good question, Gale!
The first step is the splinting we've already begun. Splinting Squee's leg will encourage any new bone growth to happen in a normal, straight direction. It also keeps Squee from walking on the side of her arm, which was creating a sore and could have caused a lot of problems if we'd let it go on much longer. Squee needs a few months to let her leg finish growing, and splinting will help that time be as beneficial as possible.
Then, Squee will undergo an operation. The surgery will have two components: the amputation of her very deformed front right leg and the reconstruction of her front left leg. Removing the little 'chicken wing' leg will allow the vet to actually use some of the bone from that leg to rebuild the other leg. The rebuilding process will consist of breaking and reforming portions of bone that are curved and twisted. Because her joints are also malformed, they will have to be fused. This means her new leg won't be fully functional, but we are hoping it will heal straight and strong. It won't have the flexibility of a normal leg, but in conjunction with her regular back legs, this strong, straight front leg should allow Squee to support her weight, walk and run without assistance.
Thank you for your question, Gale, and for helping Squee!
If you'd like to ask a question about Squee (or dogs in general) on 'A Leg To Stand On', donate $20 or more to Squee's fund and e-mail me the question you'd like to have answered!
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Squidio
Okay, that title may be taking the replace-words-with-Squee thing a little too far, admittedly.
Squee got her splint and bandages changed today, and the vet says everything is looking great. She is becoming very popular at the vet clinic, due to the fact that she's a) tiny, b) adorable, c) has puppy breath and d) is a natural schmoozer. She'll go back in 2 weeks for her next recheck and splint change, unless the bandages get gross or wet, before then. Hopefully, they'll make it two weeks!
I also realized that my little video-editor software thing lets me makes 'movie trailer' style videos. So, of course, I had to make one for Squee.
Squee got her splint and bandages changed today, and the vet says everything is looking great. She is becoming very popular at the vet clinic, due to the fact that she's a) tiny, b) adorable, c) has puppy breath and d) is a natural schmoozer. She'll go back in 2 weeks for her next recheck and splint change, unless the bandages get gross or wet, before then. Hopefully, they'll make it two weeks!
I also realized that my little video-editor software thing lets me makes 'movie trailer' style videos. So, of course, I had to make one for Squee.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Squee Thank You #2
Thank you, so much, everyone who has donated! Our newest donors are Kathy Eldredge Taft, Lori Markowski, Terry Laine, Donna Jo Canale, Leslie Anderson, Joseph Tolomei and Eva Aldea. Thank you to each of you for helping Squee!
Squee's Donation Site Has Moved!!
I am a newbie when it comes to putting together donation sites, and I used fundrazr, basically because other folks used fundrazr. Fundrazr is a very fine site, but it does take 5%-10% of each donation to fund its own costs. However, I found a website, www.youcaring.com that does not do that. It maintains its costs through independent donations rather than through taking a cut of donations raised through their site.
So, I am moving Squee's fundraising site to Youcaring.com! The link on this blog has been updated, and you can now reach Squee's fundraiser at http://www.youcaring.com/savesquee
Everyone who donated on the fundrazr site is still listed, and all money donated there has been included in the amount of donations received.
Hopefully, this will not cause anyone too much confusion! Perks remain active, and Youcaring.com uses WePay instead of PayPal, so donors will no longer need to make any kind of account to donate! (Paypal can also be used, but I have to pick either WePay OR PayPal, so if people would prefer to use paypal, let me know!)
Once again, Squee's fundraiser is now at www.youcaring.com/savesquee
I will be closing the fundrazr site after this is posted. So sorry for the fumbling and bumbling, but in the long run, this is the best move. Now 100% of each donation will go towards Squee's veterinary care and surgery. Woo!
So, I am moving Squee's fundraising site to Youcaring.com! The link on this blog has been updated, and you can now reach Squee's fundraiser at http://www.youcaring.com/savesquee
Everyone who donated on the fundrazr site is still listed, and all money donated there has been included in the amount of donations received.
Hopefully, this will not cause anyone too much confusion! Perks remain active, and Youcaring.com uses WePay instead of PayPal, so donors will no longer need to make any kind of account to donate! (Paypal can also be used, but I have to pick either WePay OR PayPal, so if people would prefer to use paypal, let me know!)
Once again, Squee's fundraiser is now at www.youcaring.com/savesquee
I will be closing the fundrazr site after this is posted. So sorry for the fumbling and bumbling, but in the long run, this is the best move. Now 100% of each donation will go towards Squee's veterinary care and surgery. Woo!
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Ask Squee About It - 10.12.13
Our very first 'Ask Squee' post! These will pop up sporadically as folks who donate to help Squee choose one of the perks that includes asking a Squee-related question.
Overall, Squee gets along really well with the other dogs here, though she is by far the youngest (everyone else is at least a year old), so there are varied responses to the insane-puppy-shenanigans she displays on occasion.
Her playmate of choice is Sprite, a pomeranian who was actually a rescue pulled from the same puppy mill as Squee, though he came to me a few years ago. Sprite is a little guy, and he has some neurological issues that make it harder for him to move about quickly. Squee has honed in on this weakness and made him her squeaky toy. Sometimes when they play, Sprite seems to enjoy the game just as much as Squee.
Other times, not so much.
Her other pretty regular play pal is Pan. Pan is an Italian Greyhound/terrier cross, and she's sort of the resident mama dog. She fusses over everyone, cleans eyes and ears, breaks up spats and generally makes sure everyone's being good to everyone else.
Today's question comes from Dixie McCartney. She asks:
How does Squee get along with the rest of your pups?
Great question, Dixie, and thank you again for your donation!
Overall, Squee gets along really well with the other dogs here, though she is by far the youngest (everyone else is at least a year old), so there are varied responses to the insane-puppy-shenanigans she displays on occasion.
Her playmate of choice is Sprite, a pomeranian who was actually a rescue pulled from the same puppy mill as Squee, though he came to me a few years ago. Sprite is a little guy, and he has some neurological issues that make it harder for him to move about quickly. Squee has honed in on this weakness and made him her squeaky toy. Sometimes when they play, Sprite seems to enjoy the game just as much as Squee.
Other times, not so much.
Her other pretty regular play pal is Pan. Pan is an Italian Greyhound/terrier cross, and she's sort of the resident mama dog. She fusses over everyone, cleans eyes and ears, breaks up spats and generally makes sure everyone's being good to everyone else.
Wren, the Siberian Husky, is the dog in the pack she seems to most greatly admire. Whenever Wren is relaxing, Squee likes to head over to give Wren face kisses. I think this is because they're both fluffy "arctic dog" types. I haven't had the heart to explain to Squee that she's a toy Eskie and she's never going to reach the mighty weight of 45lbs, no matter how lofty her aspirations or how much grass she eats.
The other dogs generally have a live-and-let-live policy with Squee. They don't want much to do with her puppy antics, but if she gets too pushy or rude, they remove themselves from the situation and seek higher, quieter ground.
Overall, she's settled in very well and doesn't seem at all fussed to be part of such a bustling "pack".
Thanks for your question, Dixie!
If you would like to have a Squee or dog-related question answered on 'A Leg To Stand On', click here to donate and pick the 'Tell Squee About It' perk or any other perk of a higher level.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Squee Thank You
A shout out to Mary Mueller and Dixie McCartney, the first two people who have donated to fund Squee's surgery! Thank you so much, ladies!
HalloSquee(n)
Halloween will be here in a few weeks, and since Squee will be here, too, what should she be dressed as?
1) A Pirate (work that peg leg!)
2) A Polar Bear in a snow storm
3) A Punk Rocker (there will be hair dye involved)
4) Something else. (Specify what)
Place your vote in the comment section, below. On October 25th, I will count up the comments and the choice with the most votes wins. On Halloween, I will put up photos of Squee all decked out in her costume.
If you've donated to Squee's fundraiser, your vote will count twice!
1) A Pirate (work that peg leg!)
2) A Polar Bear in a snow storm
3) A Punk Rocker (there will be hair dye involved)
4) Something else. (Specify what)
Place your vote in the comment section, below. On October 25th, I will count up the comments and the choice with the most votes wins. On Halloween, I will put up photos of Squee all decked out in her costume.
If you've donated to Squee's fundraiser, your vote will count twice!
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Splint Stint
So, as mentioned in the previous post, Squee got a splint, today. The vet cautioned me that the most important thing, so far as splint care went, was making sure the splint stayed dry. "A wet splint is like wearing a soggy gym sock," he warned, "and it can literally rub the skin right off of her entire leg." So, then, this was me:
And I promised several times that I would not let Squee's splint get wet, because I agreed that her skin was just right exactly where it was.
We headed home from the specialty vet, which is about an hour drive, and I carried Squee into the house and set her down. She wasn't a fan of the splint, as it made her hold her leg differently, and she wasn't sure how to manage. But, after a couple misses, she got herself over to the water bowl and had a nice long drink. After which she immediately lifted up her splinted leg and plunged it elbow deep into the water. And then, this was me:
Okay, no, wait, I thought as I snatched Squee from the water bowl far too late. I can salvage this! I rushed her into the bathroom and got out my blowdryer. How much time did I have before her flesh would start peeling away?! Thirty seconds surely wasn't too long, was it? I began blowdrying, but if you've ever had a pet with a splint, or endured a splint yourself, you know the trouble with this plan: splints are basically layers upon layers of bandage. I could dry the top, but I wasn't making a dent in the soggy inner layers that were the real concern. So I tried to unwrap a layer or two to dry further down. Finally, with Squee thoroughly sick of my antics, the wrappings were dry again. I wrapped the bandaging back up and set Squee loose, proud of my ingenuity... until I looked behind be to see her hobbling happy along, sans splint. She'd yanked the whole sucker clean off. So, this was me:
Back we drove an hour to the specialty vet. And fifteen minutes later, with a fresh new splint in place, back home we went, again. Believe me, Squee will not be drinking water unattended for a while!
Just a reminder, if you would like to help Squee on her path to better leg-dom, please click here to donate!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)