August 22, 2010
We have good news to share this week! Annabelle has done well since being off her antibiotics so we will schedule her spay in about a week. Which means this little doll will be ready for adoption soon!!!!!!!! She is being fed a low residue canned dog food 3-4 times a day and sits in her Bailey's chair for 15 minutes after she easts or drinks. She still needs to gain a couple of pounds, with her activity level she burns the calories off quickly.
She does well gated in my office when no one is home, it is her quiet place to be with her toys. Once someone is home she is out playing with her foster sisters or following me around. If she is tired of playing she will go into her space for a nap. She LOVES to watch the chipmunks through the window and they torment her by sitting on the steps within her site.
August 8, 2010
We went in to have the chest x-rays done this evening and the pneumonia has cleared. This is such wonderful news on little Annabelle! She will continue her antibiotics for 1 week and will be ready for her spay soon. She has gained 3 pounds since her last vet visit but needs to gain a few more.
On the personality side of life she continues to be a charmer. She is very smart and has me wrapped around her little paws. The problem with special needs pups is they tend to get a bit spoiled so we will be working on her manners. She loves to play with other dogs and when tired loves to cuddle. She is such a special dog who will bring a family much laughter and happiness.
July 28, 2010
Just a quick update since I received some very kind emails from folks who are concerned about Annabelle. She is doing better on her new food and meds. and has her wonderful personality back. I gave her a couple of squeaky toys to play with this evening while I took the other dogs for a walk and not a peep out of her. She had her dinner on the deck this evening and sat in her chair for 15 minutes - completely content watching the birds on the feeders. Will let you know the results after our next vet visit. I do adore this little sweetie.
July 22, 2010
Annabelle gave us quite the scare last Friday. She wasn't herself when she woke up, didn't keep anything down for breakfast, throat sounded raspy and seemed very weak. After some discussion between Dr. H and BOD members little Annabelle received the best treatment from the options given. Thank you GRRoW!!!!! The pnemonia had moved to her left lung or it started again. Most ME dogs pass from aspiration pnemonia so it is so important to get her lungs clear. I had to leave her overnight for observation and treatment. I went to pick her up Saturday morning and was greeted with a ball of happy energy!
She is now on a different food and a new antibiotic. She is a champ about sitting in her Bailey's chair for 10-15 minutes at a time. If this does not work the vet reccommends putting a feeding tube in her stomach. We will be going in for another chest x-ray in a week.
I have joined a group online for people who have dogs with megaesphagus and many of the dogs lead wonderful lives as family pets and there is also an agility star in the mix. The key is to get the pnemonia cleared and find a feeding program that works for the dogs. Annabelle is a blessing and I am extremelyl fortunate to be fostering her. I have not taught her any new tricks or worked on manners this past week. She loves to cuddle and lay beside me - what more could I ask of her?
July 11, 2010
Annabelle will be going in for a chest x-ray in a couple of weeks and if all is clear she will be spayed and ready for adoption. Please don't let the "special needs" title frighten you, she just needs to be fed in an upright position and her food is pureed with water added so she can digest it with out difficulty. Her big personality makes up for any extra care she needs. I didn't have any experience with megaesophagus and after a little research and help from our vet Annabelle's "special needs" are not so overwhelming..
Treats cannot be used to teach her obedience and tricks so I have been using the three squirrels from the "Hide a squirrel" dog toy. They are kept in my desk drawer where they are safe and if I say "are you ready to work" she will go to the drawer. She will jump and twist in the air if I hold it high "dance", go through a hula hoop and I am working on her getting her dog dish when it is time to eat. Annabelle will do anything to get her squirrel buddies! She has a huge personality for a little golden. It has been too hot and humid to spend time outside so we play games inside with the AC on.
June 27, 2010
Annabelle has spent the past 5 weeks in foster care with one of GRRoW's favorite vets. She has been spoiled by Dr. S and her staff. Now that her condition has become somewhat stabalized she has moved in with us. She loves to wrestle with my youngest Golden who is 2 and full of energy.
She needs to be fed in a "sitting pretty" position and remain like that for 10 minutes after she eats which is why we are working on her learning to stay in her Bailey's chair. She gets a little squirly if she hears the other dogs playing or moving around. Annabelle receives her liquid intake with her food because she can't drink water. She is an angel and I feel very fortunate to be fostering her.
