Update 03/18-2010 - Sadly Duke passed away at the vet clinic last night. The vet isn't sure exactly what happened, but feels he had a congenital defect which made him more susceptible to the coccidia. He did experience love in his short life and we fought for him until the end.

Update 03/17/2010 - Duke is still in critical care at the vet office. The vet isn't sure if there is something else going on, or if we are just dealing with coccidia. The recommendation was made to euthanize because his liver proteins are falling and his temperature was 90 degrees. As the vet discussed euthanizing with the foster he began perking up and his temp rose to 101 degrees. The decision was made to continue fighting as long as he is willing to fight. He received an infusion of plasma today and continues to receive I/V fluids and medication.

Duke was rescued by APAWS on March 6, 2010. When he came to us he was very lethargic and needed immediate veterinary attention. Our vet diagnosed him with severe coccidia and put him on the appropriate medication. Unfortunately the medication was not enough to kill all of the coccidia. The weekend of March 13th we feared he would pass and brought him to the vet for hospitalization. He is receiving I/V fluids and double the normal medication for coccidia.

APAWS was contacted for information in how to care for a cat without the use of his back legs.
Our volunteers not only try to help the animals in our program, but are eager to share the knowledge they have learned. Susan's foster mom decided to offer assistance to the woman with Bear. Unfortunately when she learned of the conditions the kitten was kept in she asked the woman to release him to our group. Bear was being kept in a large storage container on her front porch unable to move around, laying in his own feces and urine and exposed to the extreme Louisiana temperatures. The woman had the best intentions, but was unable to care for him properly. She agreed to let Bear come to APAWS.

After getting Bear on Saturday, March 6, 2010 it was decided to bring him immediately to the emergency vet clinic.His stomach was distended and painful, we also wanted to make sure he was not carrying any diseases that could be spread to other fosters. The distended belly was from a large amount of feces he was having trouble passing and his enlarged bladder. The woman who had been caring for him said he was able to urinate on his own. After the examination by the vet it was determined he cannot urinate on his own, the leakage she had been cleaning up was the overflow of his bladder. He needs his bladder manually expressed several times a day. He cannot use his back legs, it appears to be a neurological problem. He also has luxating patellas meaning his knees pop in and out of joint. He is a good candidate for a wheelchair, once we get him healthy we will investigate that possibility. The vet also discovered a very large sore on his side. A picture is available here, it is disturbing if you have a weak stomach please do not look. This sore was caused by him laying in his own urine and feces on a hard surface. He needs supportive wound care for several weeks to get this under control. The woman who was caring for him did mention a small sore and provided antiobiotic ointment, unfortunately it isn't a small sore and he needs to be on oral antibiotics as well as a topical. Bear is an excellent example of someone with a good heart just not knowing what to do. The woman who had him did not have the means to get his parents fixed and did not have the means to properly care for him. Cat Haven is working with her to get her cats fixed to prevent future kittens.

Lucky was rescued in Lafayette when a woman called animal control to report a dachschund
being attacked by two other dogs. The animal control officers immediately responded and rescued the dog. Lucky's throat was ripped open. The owner was found, but after seeing the injuries the owner surrendered Lucky to aninmal control knowing she would be euthanized. She felt she wouldn't be able to deal with cleaning the injuries. The vet at animal control felt she was too sweet and deserved a chance. She began looking for a rescue to take Lucky, APAWS stepped up and agreed to take her.

Lucky is fortunate enough to be fostered by one of our veterinarians. Her throat was ripped open and the esophogas was visible. For the first few days after the injury the wound had to be flushed out, but could not be closed because infection would in. Her throat was able to be stapled shut and is healing very well now. Even after being through trauma and pain Lucky is a very sweet dog and once healed will make an excellent addition to a family.

Update February 11, 2010 - Her surgery was successful! Unfortunately it was more involved
than we initially thought. The injury was older than suspected and due to the calcification of the bone more work had to be done to repair it. She cannot place any weight on her leg and must remain crated only let out to be carried to potty three times a day.

Sunday, February 7, 2010 we were contacted by a LSU vet student fostering for us about a puppy that had just come to the clinic. The puppy is a 4 - 5 month old catahoula who was hit by a car. Her family couldn't afford the necessary surgery and left her at LSU. Unless a rescue agreed to take her they were going to euthanize her that evening. Monday we took her to one of our vets for x-rays. She has multiple fractures in her rear right leg. The vet thinks he can pin the leg to save it, if that doesn't work she will need an amputation. She had surgery this morning, and we are currently awaiting the call regarding the status.