CLEANING UP THE MESS

Continued from Soi 4 Poodles – part 1…. (please click here to read part 1 first)

Following part 1 of this story of the shocking discovery of 4 owner dogs uncared for in my housing village…

Upon taking them to the clinic, here is the list of health problems that were found:

LULU (on left):

• E-canis – an infectious & deadly blood disease caused by ticks.
• Anaemic – dangerous low levels of blood.
• Ecchymosis – skin discolouration from loss of blood in the tissues.
• Pyometra – life threatening disease of the uterus.
• Luxating Patella – patella or kneecap moves out of its normal position.
• Further tests showed very low blood count and platelets also.

Lulu was completely infested with ticks causing E-canis and then resulting in low blood problems. She had been given birth control injections by an inexperienced neighbour which was most likely the cause of the Pyometra. These birth control injections should be a short term solution only and must be given cautiously at the correct time of the dog’s cycle.

MIMI (on right):

• E-canis
• Anaemic
• Ecchymosis

Mimi was in a similar condition to Lulu. We also found out later when she was taken to be sterlised that she also had Pyometra. Mimi had much lower energy than Lulu and seemed rather depressed. I guess I would be too if I had been uncared for and had all these health problems!

This is Ecchymosis:

They were both immediately put onto medications of antibiotics and a blood supplement and cancelled from the next week’s sterilisation run. The owner finally showed some guilt when given their long list of health problems that were a result of her negligence.

I involved the owner as much as possible in the grooming sessions to try and show her some responsibility. Their hair needed to be completely cut off which took us 2 days to do as it was so dreadlocked and matted.

They both looked so relieved after their haircut. Shampoo and very rigorous scrubbing was next on the list to remove as many ticks as possible… there were literally hundreds of them. Then a nice snugly towel dry. 

Step 3… flea & tick spray.

How much relief this must have brought to them to be clean, trimmed and not have their skin crawling with ticks can only be imagined. Not having to wear that heavy & hot blanket around in this hot climate was also a huge burden lifted from them. They’re so much lighter & cooler now. They look like brand new dogs!

Judging from their excitement and obvious new found love for me I’d say they were pretty damn happy!!

Much to my disapproval the owner told me she now wanted to keep Mimi. I stressed to her that she MUST take good care of her and could not let her end up like this again. I was secretly wishing though that I could find a way not to return Mimi to her as I felt she did not deserve her.

I gave spot-on Revolution flea/tick prevention treatment to all 4 dogs a few days later.

Lulu’s discharge became much worse. Pyometra can be very life threatening so she urgently needed surgery to remove her infected uterus. A blood test showed her blood levels had improved and luckily were at a safe enough level to operate the following day. As her uterus would be removed she’d also then be spayed.

Surgery was successful. Lulu went to stay at Aunty Gill’s Foster Home the following day for some much needed TLC and recovery time.

She settled right in and got along fine with all of Gill’s other temporary residents even though they were a little curious at first.

Lulu is the most adorable little thing whom I became very fond and attached of. I really fell in love with her. She is doing incredibly well at the moment. She is recovering well.

Lulu still needs separate surgery for her Luxating Patella. Another name for it is trick knee or floating patella.

She doesn’t seem to be in any pain other than her limping and not being able to walk straight.

Patella luxation is a common condition in dogs, particularly small and miniature breeds. It is generally a developmental congenital defect.

The diagnosis from the vet was that her ligaments had ruptured causing her Patella (kneecap) to dislocate or move out of its normal place. Surgery to attempt correcting will cost approximately 3,000 Thai Baht (USD$88). Once Lulu has fully recovered from her other health issues we will check this situation again and possibly go ahead with surgery. It would be great to improve Lulu’s life even more than we already have. If you would be interested in sponsoring this surgery then please let us know. We would gladly welcome any donations.

More information on this condition can be found here.

A blood check for Mimi, the white poodle, the following week showed her blood still low but safe enough to go ahead with sterilisation. I booked Mimi & Eve (below) to be sterilised the next week. The shelter was quite a traumatic experience for Mimi. She’s such a little dainty little girl and 135 dogs I’m sure was a little daunting. She almost clawed me to death gripping on to me not to leave her there… it was so difficult to leave her.

Thankfully Gill took her home a few days later to be with Lulu. She’s gone from being weak & depressed to full of life and very independent, especially when there’s food around!! She’s obviously the boss of the pack.

Eve wasn’t phased at all about her recovery period at the shelter. She got along well with all the dogs and was a favourite with the shelter staff. She’s very sociable and easy going. She was very excited when I returned her back to the soi to be with her brother Adam. As all the dogs had been gone from the soi for the past week Adam was feeling quite lonely so was happy to have some company and a play mate his own age again.

Adam had an injection for high fever the previous week. Both Adam & Eve were also infested with ticks so they got their ‘first ever’  grooming session then too but with only a trim instead of a skin head hair cut like Lulu & Mimi.

Adam Eve

I had a chat with the owner recently and asked her how she was honestly feeling now that Mimi and all dogs had been gone for 10 days. Was she relieved or was she missing Mimi? I told her I could find a very good home for Mimi and I suggested it may be easier for her with her job situation and lack of time not to have any dogs. Luckily she quickly agreed with me and from her reaction I knew I had made the right decision as it seemed she thought of them as a burden. She has no interest at all in Adam & Eve so they are still living in the soi and the neighbour helps to feed them for me until we re-home them.

All 4 dogs are now looking for a new home full of the love and attention they deserve!

Lulu & Mimi                                                  Adam & ……………………….. Eve

You can see individual information for all 4 of these dogs in Available for Adoption.