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Artie aka Rocky adoption pending to his foster mommy
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Rocky is a special needs Three month old 3lb. Boston baby now under the care of Puppymillrescue. February 2010
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Thank you everyone especially Michael Salger
for numerous donations given towards Artie's medical bills.

Artie’s medical costs have exceeded $2000.00 so far and that is

Without the MRI which is recommended when he is strong enough.

Artie does not do well in a crate and would do best with a fenced yard.

He is loving and puppyish but is still doing some unexplained biting, possibly

neurological in nature. He has gained weight and weighs just over 6 lbs

PuppymillRescue, is an internet-based  501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization.

 

3/17/2010 update

Hi Ladies:
Well the news is good Artie doesn't have any structural abnormalities. I had an extensive discussion with the head of neurology as well as Artie's resident to be able to tell you about prognosis etc.
At this point he has not had a grand mal seizure in almost two and one half weeks, however, he continues to have psychomotor seizures- he will look like he is startled look around quickly as if he can't see and become agitated. He will  usually defecate  during these episodes. He has at least one per day and at time two. He had one in the car driving up to the hospital yesterday. They considered controlled one of these seizures in three to four MONTHS so we have a long way to go. They have increased his Phenobarbital today and will increase it when he gains another two pounds or his seizures increase whichever comes first (hopefully the former) He will need phenobard b and KBr levels with a chemistry battery every six months. They anticipate him being on both drugs for life. If the Phenobarbital begins to affect his liver (thus the chemistry battery) they will substitute it for another drug although they consider the two he is on to be the best.
He tolerated the anesthesia without any problem and is now running around with my dogs as we speak. His weight is 6.3 pounds he has doubled his weight since he has been in PMR's  care.
As an aside. he is now begun to mount my other dogs as well as my leg and I spoke to them about him getting neutered. They strongly suggested that this be done and felt that any time would be ok. They were not concerned about another anesthesia as he did so well with this one. He will be four ,months tomorrow.
If you have any questions please email back!!!!!
Regards, Marty

 

3/11/2010 update

We just returned from the vet. Artie has gained one pound one ounce in two weeks as a result his medicines were increased. The poor little guy must have been overwhelmed by all of the smells because he had a small seizure in the car on the way  home. His last real grand mal seizure was last Saturday night so the Phenobarbital must have helped. His MRI is Tuesday morning they require drop off the night before as they do these things in the wee hours of the morning. The whole team of three vets Dr Glass two residents, an intern and two vet techs go to the MRI center. They assured me that they thought the anesthesia would not be a problem. I will pick him up Tuesday afternoon and get the results at that time. I will keep in touch.

2/19/2010 update

Artie
has developed diarrhea probably from the antibiotics I am waiting now to hear
from the neurologist. He continues to have unprovoked episodes of rage
that could either be do to the untreated seizures that he has had in the past
or that fact that he was never socialized by his mother. I have been working
with him and hopefully these will subside with lots of time and consistently
dealing with one person the poor little guy has been in three homes in
three weeks. I will keep in touch over the weekend.
Marty

 
2/17/2010
Good Morning:
Artie did very well over night, no seizures. He is eating like a champ and drinking without problem He is not a fan of taking medication but hopefully he will be over time. They are advising a one week appointment which is in place for Thurs 2/25 at 3pm. At that time depending on how he is doing they may need a KBR level. I placed him on Merrit Puppy Plate food it is a nice organic puppy food that he enjoys.
 
2/16/2010 update
I had a nice visit with Artie. He had just had another seizure prior to my arrival but the nurses and the two vets I spoke with assured me that he is very active and enjoys his new food LD by Hills. They mentioned the MRI again and I explained that it was the Boards comfort level to get him a little more on his feet before subjecting him to anesthesia. They started anticonvulsants and they picked Potassium bromide rather than Phenobarbital because long term it doesn't do as much damage to the liver. And considering he is so young he will be on it probably for his life. They showed me his cage and it is huge and has many blankets although he is always being carried around by one of the nurses he is very comfortable. They need to titrate the meds to reach the optimal does. They hope that that will be accomplished by tomorrow. They have not gotten the viral studies back as yet. They picked ld because it would help support the liver in that he will be on medication.
I will call tonight and check on him and hopefully he will be home tomorrow.
Marty
2/15/2010 update.

Artie aka Rocky was admitted to the specialty hospital today. apparently he had a massive seizure this morning, saw the neurologist and although it hurts Marty’s heart leaving him there, it is best they start an IV, monitor him and will begin more testing, to us.

The doc says Artie’s fontanel is substantially open for his age. His problems may stem from a number of things. although he does display some signs of Porto systemic liver shunt we just don’t know at this point in time. Marty is a skilled doctor and a caring  we decided together that it was best to leave him there today as he can be monitored 24/7. We will update you as we find out more information.

 Please do keep the thoughts, prayers and good vibes going. Thanks everyone, for your warm and wonderful thoughts for this little boy!

Jeannine

2/15/2010

Good morning ladies:
Well Artie had a quiet night but had a longer seizure this am. I moved his
appointment up to this morning. He is very lethargic but had a nice
breakfast I think that he enjoyed the new food mixed with his spaghettios. Also I
did a little investigating and got the actual records from prior Vet
apparently his seizures started on 1/19/10 when the Phenobarbital was prescribed
that was 15 days after the miller gave the vaccine. I don't know when the onset
of problems would have occurred but I will ask this morning if the vaccine
was significant. I will be in touch throughout the day.
************
Hi
Thank you for being so understanding regarding Arties care. I will be
picking him up tomorrow, the ultrasound and some of the blood work will be
available at that time and the bile acid test will take a few days.  I will call tonight for a comfort
care update between 9 and 10pm and I will keep you updates at that time.
Thank you for what you are doing.
Regards, Marty

 
2/10 Update from his Foster Mommy.
Dear Board:
Thank you for entrusting Artie aka Rocky to my care. I have contacted Dr
Jill Sammarco at Red Bank Vet Hosp regarding him. She has done an enormous
amount of very complicated surgery for my dogs with outstanding results. She
has agreed to see him on Tuesday. I have not been able to contact Cindy
regarding the workup this little one has already had so we don't know what he will
need. To expedite his care and hopefully have an answer on Tuesday she
mentioned the tests he would need if not done Bile acid tests ($340.00) if
inconclusive perhaps an abdominal ultrasound ($420.00), the consult charge is
$145.00. These prices do NOT take into account the rescue discount. I will be
bringing the paperwork to them tomorrow to have everything approved in time
for Tuesday. Again, we don't know what Artie has had done already but I
just wanted to be prepared and organized. If they are recommending other
avenues I will of course get a estimate for any surgery they may recommend and
forward that on to you with a complete and detailed account of the
consultation.

Rocky will not be placed up for adoption until we know what he needs possibly surgery to survive, please consider making a donation via PAY PAL to help us with his medical bills

Make a donation by PayPal or Check

PuppymillRescue, is an internet-based  501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization.

 

History on Rocky from his rescuer.

A few weeks ago I had a breeder surrender a 9 week old Boston Terrier Pup to me because he started to have seizures at 8 weeks. His vet put him on Phenobarbital.
When I picked him up, he was extremely small (3-4lbs) for his age. He wouldn't eat except out of your hand nor drink. Clearly, he was taken from mom way too early.
In short, I have been keeping a log of his seizures and working with him daily. We had a few close calls where he seized 7+ times that day and was limp looking like he was going to pass at any time. I took him to the vet to get blood work done. His bloodworm showed high potassium, slightly anemic, low sodium, and one liver enzyme elevated (most likely due to the Phenobarbital).
As we continue to pray for him, I got "Rocky" (we call him that because he's a fighter!) some supplements for his seizures and nutrition although he still needs to be on the Phenobarbital). I also put him on a homemade diet.


Rocky is progressing and we are sooo thankful. He runs and plays and eats and his bowels are great. He wants to be held or played with all the time. We have a play pen for him and a crate with the necessities for at night or when we need to take our eyes off of him. He is extremely needy, getting up in the middle of the night for feedings and/or seizures, and needs care pretty much 24/7. I read the story of 'Dante' and it reminds me of Rocky. The vets and others of course say that maybe putting him down would be in his best interest. I, however, can not bring myself to do such a thing and I believe that there is always hope! He has already showed a lot of progress!
Although we can not be sure what started his seizures at 8 weeks (the possibilities are endless), I suspect it was after the breeder gave him wormer and Vanguard 5 (5 vaccines in one) at about 7+ weeks that this started to happen. That is my theory.
In any event, my husband and I work, I have 2 kids, and 2 other rescues (Boston's) that are ours. My heart is to see him live a long and happy life and progress, as he is, but I am seeking a qualified person who is experienced with his issues that would be able to care and for him. Someone who would be home all day.
I do what I do because these dogs need help, they need a voice and someone to reach out on their behalf. I admire what you do! I abhor these puppy mills and will continue to rescue whenever I have the chance!
If you know of someone whom is able and willing to take on his care, please let me know. I DO NOT WANT HIM PUT DOWN! I will keep him if that be the case.

Rocky will not be placed up for adoption until we know what he needs possibly surgery to survive, please consider making a donation via PAY PAL to help us with his medical bills

Make a donation by Paypal or Check

PuppymillRescue, is an internet-based  501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization.

 

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