It has taken me awhile to be able to post this VIDEO of my last car ride with BHRR's Emma. 🙁

RIP my dear sweet BHRR's Emma………

At just past 7:30 pm on Monday, I released BHRR's Emma from the body that just could not stay strog against the abuse of her past.
I am now going to make the long journey home and lay her body in enternal rest at BHRR.

She was a gift that had not been appreciated until her arrival to BHRR and she is a gift that my heart shall forever cherish.
Right now, my heart is just ripped….

My team mates at KAH commented more than once how bonded she was to me, loved me and looked for me….as I told them in turn, that adoring love was very mutual and full of respect and trust.

BHRR's Emma, here is a THREAD of support from so many of your fans and supporters. YOU are so loved…..

My heart is so heavy and though, I knew this day was going to come; I just want to scream in sheer agony that nothing more can be done for BHRR's Emma and her quality of life has seriously begun to deteriorate.

It frustrates and angers me that due to the abuse of another or others; her body is failing her though; her mind and heart has learned to love and trust again.
This girl makes me well up with how strong her beautiful spirit is; how much joy she takes out of even just seeing me when I come home from even just putting the kids on the bus; sunshine, a blowing leaf; the antics of a goob 6 month old GD puppy and so much more!

Her patience and steadfast determination to not just to be able to stand tall yet; walk and do her 'wobbly bobbly' trot is beyond inspirational.

Last night; she came over to me and the way she layed down with her head on my knee; I knew….it was time…and she was telling me….
We stayed up all night 'talking' and believe me this GD has a lot to say and share and give. She is a gift to the wordl! We watched the sunrise on the porch; enjoying the deer as they came to drink from the springfed pond.

We took a special walk to her favourite spot and sat under the shade until she was ready to come in for some little breaky( her appetite has been waning).

We have now come back from a drive to her best places and saying her "I love you's" to those at Timmie's and Subway and more.

As she rests in my lap, I made the call to schedule her final car ride.

Please think of her and may god give me the will to have one ounce of her dignity and strength to be able to let her go without breaking into a million pieces.
I worship this girl and it is so unfair and wrong and I just want to scream for her and that she deserved more in life….

I am so sorry BHRR's Emma that the Vets and BHRR could not right all the wrong done to you by others. I am so sorry… 🙁

BHRR's Emma – when found May 4th, 2012 in Montreal & BHRR's Emma – June 29th, 2012(HOW she is going to be remembered…)

Wednesday NIGHT VIDEO time!

BHRR's Emma has been doing very poorly….yet; when I got home last night; she had a GREAT night and this is how she was all day today! 🙂 SHE is not yet ready to give up and I know I am not ever going to be ready to let her go. Yet, I shall always keep quality of life first and foremost for her. Though, my heart screams in sheer agony over what I know must come one day…. 🙁

BUT, here is BHRR's Emma and her wonderful 'wobbly bobbly' trot and happiness to see me and be alive! GO! BHRR's Emma GO! My heart just soared today…..AND I know that hers did too! 🙂 It was a good day for BHRR's Emma!!! A really great day!

I have two more weeks of Zeniquin 200 mg – 1 tablet SID and will continue to monitor.

Donations to her growing Vet Bills can be made in the following ways.

Kanata Animal Hospital (613) 836-2848 and they will take Visa, M/C and AMEX over the phone. They will take Debit or Cash in person at 440 Hazeldean Road in Kanata, Ontario

You can also mail donations via a Bank Draft to:

Birch Haven Rescue & Rehabilitation Services
C/O Gwendilin Boers
2425 Totem Ranch Road West
RR#1 Oxford Station, Ontario
K0G 1T0

OR email transfer to gwen@birchhaven.org

OR via PayPal(please use the 'gift' option)

What she does still need to date are:

1) Packing Blankets/Duvets/Comforters as she does have some sores and is weak with bad hips
2) Puppy Pee Pads as she is still having some incontinence
3) She LOVES the smoked knuckle bones
4) FROMM Wet Canned Dog Food
5) Pinesol
6) Donations towards her Vet Bills that are continuing to mount quickly – BHRR's Emma really needs angels….

***I will continue to update the list as needed**

BHRR's Emma's ANGELS: $1,970 donated to date & Bills $3,797.88
Maggie
Anna
Karen
Suzanne
Nairn
Peter
Verbruggen Family
Nathalie
Leslie
Judy
CJ Rescue Garage Sale – $247.50(50/50 split to help BHRR's Hailey)
Zeus/Binky & BHRR's Adele
Alex & Karen
Vivian
Eva & Robert

BHRR's Emma's prognosis is not good. 🙁

There is nothing more medically that can be done for her. 🙁

Just in the last two days; her bowels movements have had no control at all and she has had 7 accidents. She is also developing a resistance to the bladder medications and sometimes, I cannot express anything; even though; I know she should have to go. 🙁

We shall give her quality of life for as long as possible.

Keep her in your thoughts and prayers plus blessings. 🙁

Donations to her growing Vet Bills can be made in the following ways.

Kanata Animal Hospital (613) 836-2848 and they will take Visa, M/C and AMEX over the phone. They will take Debit or Cash in person at 440 Hazeldean Road in Kanata, Ontario

You can also mail donations via a Bank Draft to:

Birch Haven Rescue & Rehabilitation Services
C/O Gwendilin Boers
2425 Totem Ranch Road West
RR#1 Oxford Station, Ontario
K0G 1T0

OR email transfer to gwen@birchhaven.org

OR via PayPal(please use the 'gift' option)

What she does still need to date are:

1) Packing Blankets/Duvets/Comforters as she does have some sores and is weak with bad hips
2) Puppy Pee Pads as she is still having some incontinence
3) She LOVES the smoked knuckle bones
4) FROMM Wet Canned Dog Food
5) Pinesol
6) Donations towards her Vet Bills that are continuing to mount quickly – BHRR's Emma really needs angels….

***I will continue to update the list as needed**

BHRR's Emma's ANGELS: $1,970 donated to date & Bills $3,797.88
Maggie
Anna
Karen
Suzanne
Nairn
Peter
Verbruggen Family
Nathalie
Leslie
Judy
CJ Rescue Garage Sale – $247.50(50/50 split to help BHRR's Hailey)
Zeus/Binky & BHRR's Adele
Alex & Karen
Vivian
Eva & Robert

BHRR's Emma is scheduled for her recheck on Wednesday. I am terrified. 🙁 The medications are not working and I continue to express her up to 4 times a day and her urine still is infected smelling plus she is having accidents. 🙁

We are holding on to hope and trying to stay as positive as we can for her.

Those that attended our BHRR 'EXPERIENCE' Mini Open House this past weekend; LOVED her! She is a vocal GD when it comes to the sounds she makes to let others know that she is there to be paid attention too. LOL

She is not a wall flower and when she wants attention, she just goes for it! 🙂 So many remarked on how beautiful she is and her gorgeous eyes….sigh…those eyes! 😉

Many also remarked on her very weak hind end, 'odd' gait and several wanted to observe while I expressed her throughout the day. We received many compliments on our commitment to her; but; this is just want BHRR is here to do! AND a few who have met her in the past – shortly after her arrival to BHRR – commented on how much younger and less tense plus happy she was!!!! She even showed off a few times to do her 'trot'…….

AND quite a few made remarks on how much she is bonded to me and how she almost tries to spin in a circle when she sees me. My heart is taken….that is for sure!

Please everyone…..keep her in your thoughts…..please….all the positive energy and vibes you can send; would be so appreciated!

Donations to her growing Vet Bills can be made in the following ways.

Kanata Animal Hospital (613) 836-2848 and they will take Visa, M/C and AMEX over the phone. They will take Debit or Cash in person at 440 Hazeldean Road in Kanata, Ontario

You can also mail donations via a Bank Draft to:

Birch Haven Rescue & Rehabilitation Services
C/O Gwendilin Boers
2425 Totem Ranch Road West
RR#1 Oxford Station, Ontario
K0G 1T0

OR email transfer to gwen@birchhaven.org

OR via PayPal(please use the 'gift' option)

What she does still need to date are:

1) Packing Blankets/Duvets/Comforters as she does have some sores and is weak with bad hips
2) Puppy Pee Pads as she is still having some incontinence
3) She LOVES the smoked knuckle bones
4) FROMM Wet Canned Dog Food
5) Pinesol
6) Donations towards her Vet Bills that are continuing to mount quickly – BHRR's Emma really needs angels….

***I will continue to update the list as needed**

BHRR's Emma's ANGELS: $1,945 donated to date & Bills $3,797.88
Maggie
Anna
Karen
Suzanne
Nairn
Peter
Verbruggen Family
Nathalie
Leslie
Judy
CJ Rescue Garage Sale – $247.50(50/50 split to help BHRR's Hailey)
Zeus/Binky & BHRR's Adele
Alex & Karen
Vivian

BHRR's Emma is allowing me to express her bladder with such calm and acceptance. I am so PROUD of her!

I was able to express it twice on Wednesday with results and three times on Thursday.

When she becomes uncomfortable, she wants to walk away and will make a small sound and I give her a wee break and try again as I want to ensure that she is as comfortable as possible.

Sean does not even have to hold her collar while I express it. She is such a nice girl. AND she so much happier now. She will even trot – a wobbly bobbly one but trot and looks so much younger than she did upon first arrival. Her coat is becoming so soft and healthy. 

Her eyes look happier and more relaxed.

She does have some anxiety in the car and will whimper at times and with all these trips to and from the Vet Hospital, I do not blame her. Yet, she has had this anxiety since she first arrived. Was she dumped by someone in her past???? We do know that she was out there fending for herself for X knows how long. I am beginning to take her on short trips – kids on the bus, down the road etc., so that she goes out and comes back. She was offered a timbit at one Timmie's yet; she was not relaxed. We shall keep working on that when she goes out; she knows she is coming home and she will get better. Poor thing. 🙁

She is still have bowel movement accidents. We just clean it up and do not scold or reprimand. She is completely clueless that it is happening or has happened.

She is a stronger personality girl and has been jockeying for 'leader female' in my home and now that BHRR's Journey has been adopted(BHRR's Journey was beginning to move towards wanting to take over that role); she has targetted BHRR's Dana. AND BHRR's Dana just backs off…..very interesting. BHRR's Shiva and BHRR's Hailey; who were sharing the role with BHRR's Dana as the lead; have just accepted BHRR's Gemma as the new role leader. This is going to be very fascinating to see play out. We do not allow BHRR's Gemma to be a gooberhead though. This just feeds her ego and yes, she has a wee bit of a mischievous imp side coming out that seems to enjoy bending the dogs to her will.

YET, on the other hand, she is so patient and tolerant of Drift. She will let him crawl all over her and use his sharp baby teethies on her. She is a good dog and also continues to so everyone how fast and strong she is bonded to me. Therefore, I have Sean feeding her at least one of her meals and she is getting better with her slight nervousness of him.

When she was at KAH earlier this week, the Vet commented that she was great with everyone there, no nervousness this time around etc. Yet, when I arrived, you could see her beginning to try and resource over me and that was quickly shut down. YOU must share Gwennie! 😉

This is a girl that if you give an inch, she is going to take a mile and a half. No doubt. Firm, fair, loving and patient with lots of consisteny and obedience.

Donations to her growing Vet Bills can be made in the following ways.

Kanata Animal Hospital (613) 836-2848 and they will take Visa, M/C and AMEX over the phone. They will take Debit or Cash in person at 440 Hazeldean Road in Kanata, Ontario

You can also mail donations via a Bank Draft to:

Birch Haven Rescue & Rehabilitation Services
C/O Gwendilin Boers
2425 Totem Ranch Road West
RR#1 Oxford Station, Ontario
K0G 1T0

OR email transfer to gwen@birchhaven.org

OR via PayPal(please use the 'gift' option)

What she does still need to date are:

1) Packing Blankets/Duvets/Comforters as she does have some sores and is weak with bad hips
2) Puppy Pee Pads as she is still having some incontinence
3) She LOVES the smoked knuckle bones
4) FROMM Wet Canned Dog Food
5) Pinesol
6) Donations towards her Vet Bills that are continuing to mount quickly – BHRR's Emma really needs angels….

***I will continue to update the list as needed**

BHRR's Emma's ANGELS: $1,922.50 donated to date & Bills $3,797.88
Maggie
Anna
Karen
Suzanne
Nairn
Peter
Verbruggen Family
Nathalie
Leslie
Judy
CJ Rescue Garage Sale – $247.50(50/50 split to help BHRR's Hailey)
Zeus/Binky & BHRR's Adele
Alex & Karen

On Friday June 1st, BHRR's Emma was sedated to manually express her bladder and almost 7 quarts of urine was expressed. She still had not urinated since her spay and before her spay, her urination was small walking pees, when she did urinate – which was not often – never a complete void. 🙁 The colour and smell was a bit better from when this was done during her spay. When she was spayed, the IV fluids were used to flush out her bladder and it was expressed several times then until her urine ran clear.

The one Vet advised not to insert a catheter for her uretha was very irritated and also the constant copious amounts of urine that would continue to flow from leaving a catheter in. I was not bothered by the constant urine flow; yet; if her uretha was very irritated, I did not want there to be further cause of distress to her. The Vet said that they could feel constant very small contractions when manually expressing her.

She really needed the Tramadol that night.

She remained on the Zenequin and the course of Cephalexin was ending. The Zenequin was indicated to be able to cover all the eastie beasties she was found to have had via her c&s testing.

I went by the Pharmacy to pick up the Prazosin and was informed at that time that they only had 1 mg in stock and only had a very few(BHRR's Emma would need 15 of these tablets daily). The 5 mg was s/o and I was told that it would not be arrive until the Tuesday or Wednesday of the following week. I am not sure why this was not imparted my way when I first dropped off the prescription. So, now we were heading in to a weekend and she would not have the Duvoid/Bethanecol or the Prazosin.

Therefore, I scheduled her for another exam plus manual bladder expression for June 5th under sedation as she was still recovering from her spay. She was really needing that Tramadol in addition to the Deramaxx.

On Saturday June 2nd, she had her first very small pee – walking and then a small squat and I was hoping that we may be getting somewhere and hoped that Prazosin would arrive soon.

On Sunday June 3rd, she was a bit excited when she saw me and a sudden flow of not a subtantial amount of urine pooled. She was completely unaware of what had happened.

During this weekend; she had yet two more bowel movements in her crate; and the thought process continues to wonder; about her being completely unaware when she poops too. The poor girl. 🙁

On Tuesday June 5th, BHRR's Emma went in for another exam plus manual bladder expression under sedation and about 1 litre of very concentrated urine was released. Her Prazosin had not yet arrived.

On Friday June 8th, I contacted the Pharmacy as I had not yet heard word. BHRR's Emma began the Prazosin this day and we held off on the Duvoid/Bethanecol per the Vet still at this time.

On Tuesday June 12th, BHRR's Emma went in for another exam and bladder expression. This time they were not done under sedation and she had five expressions between 7:30 AM and 7:30 PM. The first three were very easily done – lots of urine, slight smell and colour concentrated. The fourth one resulted in no urine; yet; she was also not on the Prazosin TID that day and when I arrived to pick her up; I only managed to get a small amount expressed during the fifth attempt and the colour was better; yet; there was still a slight smell.

She went home with more Zenequin for with the urine staying in her bladder; it is a brewing pot for infection. She was given another 14 days worth.

When I am at KAH tonight; I shall pick up more of the Duvoid/Bethanecol for we are now going to give both to see if this will make a difference.

The fact that she has been on the Prazosin(almost $100/month in cost) since last Friday with little improvement is very worrisome. 🙁

My promise to BHRR's Emma is that we are going to give her all that we can in commitment and assistance and want at least one month of consistency for her in meds and manually expressing her bladder every 8 hours at home now for her; since she has healed from her spay; to see if we can get her bladder and bowels to work. As her condition is believed to be caused from trauma(history of abuse); I am deeply concerned for her quality of life. 🙁

If all of this works for BHRR's Emma; we shall keep her under our BHRR HAVEN program. If it does not work, her Vet team and myself will have to have a serious discussion regarding her quality of life.

Please keep everything crossed for BHRR's Emma.

Donations to her growing Vet Bills can be made in the following ways.

Kanata Animal Hospital (613) 836-2848 and they will take Visa, M/C and AMEX over the phone. They will take Debit or Cash in person at 440 Hazeldean Road in Kanata, Ontario

You can also mail donations via a Bank Draft to:

Birch Haven Rescue & Rehabilitation Services
C/O Gwendilin Boers
2425 Totem Ranch Road West
RR#1 Oxford Station, Ontario
K0G 1T0

OR email transfer to gwen@birchhaven.org

OR via PayPal(please use the 'gift' option)

What she does still need to date are:

1) Packing Blankets/Duvets/Comforters as she does have some sores and is weak with bad hips
2) Puppy Pee Pads as she is still having some incontinence
3) She LOVES the smoked knuckle bones
4) FROMM Wet Canned Dog Food
5) Pinesol
6) Donations towards her Vet Bills that are continuing to mount quickly – BHRR's Emma really needs angels….

***I will continue to update the list as needed**

BHRR's Emma's ANGELS: $1,797.50 donated to date & Bills $3,797.88
Maggie
Anna
Karen
Suzanne
Nairn
Peter
Verbruggen Family
Nathalie
Leslie
Judy
CJ Rescue Garage Sale – $247.50(50/50 split to help BHRR's Hailey)

On Thursday May 31st, I dailogued with three Vets at KAH regarding BHRR's Emma and my ever growing concern that something was just not right with her urination. It is also clear that yes, she has a weak hind end; yet her balance seems a bit wobbly plus as mentioned from from the beginning in her blogs; it is somewhat hard for her to raise her head completely upright.

So, more research, more discussions with other Vets ensued and BHRR's Emma was presribed Tramadol 15 x 100 mg to give in addition to the Dermaxx for any continued discomfort she was possibly experiencing with urination.

Additionally, discussion was had to give her Duvoid/Bethanecol 10 mg for the next few days – 1/2 tablet SID (a medication sent home for cats that have been unblocked) to see if that shall help her contract to allow her to urinate. Prazosin 5 mg TID was also researched to help the urehtal muscle relax. The advantage over using Prazosin over something like phenoxybenzamine was that the Prazosin seems to demonstrate a dose-by-dose effect(ie rather than having to wait several days or longer to reach a therapeutic level).

We also conversed about inserting a catheter as since her spay, she had not urinated at all. As she was also just spayed, manually expressing her bladder without sedation would be very painful for her.

So, I made an appointment to bring her in on June 1st, to manually express under sedation and to insert a catheter.

Later, on May 31st, a diagnosis was also made on her possible condition – 'REFLEX DYSSYNERGIA' – synonyms – Dyssynergia, Detrusor-urethal dyssynergia, Bladder dyssynergia, Detrussor-sphincter dyssynergia

Reflex dyssnergia is a syndrome(so there is an underlying cause for this condition) is a syndrome that describes asynchrony between active contraction of the detrusor muscle and incomplete/absent relaxation of the urethral sphincters. The affected pet has normal initiation of voiding and posturing but urination is interrupted by contraction of the external urethral sphincter resulting in a urine stream tha tmay stop or occur in spurts. The urine stream may be narrowed or the pet may dribble urine. In many cases, the patient will strain and tend to assume a posturing or squatting position with production to no urine ie. functional obstruction.

Pathophysioglogy

An underlying anatomic or neurologic lesion has never been described in dogs with this syndrome and spinal imaging studies have failed to identify a cause. Some cases have neurological examination changes but most do not. In some cases, onset of signs were associated with prior sexual excitement in intact male dogs. Since the onset is often sudden, trauma or a small vascular accident in the lower lumbar spinal cord have been suggested as possible etiologies.

Disease Description In This Species

In one study of 22 dogs, affected cases were middle-aged male dogs(mean age 4.9 years) of large and giant breeds. Nine dogs had had periodic clinical signs for longer than one year.

Breed Predilection

Large breed dogs

Sex Predilection

Male intact

Before I went home from work that day; one of her Vets advised to hold off on the Duvoid/Bethanecol 10 mg until the Prazosin was picked up and to give the Prazosin first and then the Bethanecol.

I took the script fo the Prazosin to the local pharmacy in Kemptville to be filled.

This update is a long time coming. I thank everyone for their patience. I have been so focused on her care for the last two weeks; that updating her blog has not been able to be done. She has now been at the Vet Hospital four times in the last two weeks exactly.

On Tuesday May 29th, 2012; BHRR's Emma was spayed. She weighed 59.4 KGs(130.68 pounds). For all that may have been wondering, she was not pregnant. She had quite the layer of fat upon opening her up and unfortunately, she could not be spayed right then as her bladder was just huge and you could not reach her uterus. Her englarged bladder contnues to make her appear to be pregnant yet; every u/s, x-ray, exam plus relaxin testing has proven otherwise and in the then opening her up, no babies were found. We had to express her bladder and we expressed almost 14 quarts of bloody urine. I have continued to converse with the Vets since her arrival to BHRR re: her reluctance to pee and that when she does, it is a short walking pee and that she is almost not even aware that she has to urinate. I have expressed the concern that this is more than just a really bad UTI and also does not have any bearing on behavourally not desiring to pee due to discomfort.

I have also discussed my concerns regarding that the same thing seems to apply to her bowel movements. She does not squat to poop and does not seem to be aware when she is pooping.

I have taken photos of her spay and of the contents of her bladder and all are posted below and yes, the photos are graphic. Words can describe so much; yet; photos provide a great supporting documentation of what is happening. My photos have since been reviewed by no less than two other Vets and BHRR's Emma's Vet team, now includes four Vets trying to resolve her medical issues.

Her uterus once we we able to reach it; was very normal looking, stretched and full of a lining of fat; yet; very healthy. YAY! We also microchipped her.

She came home and was put on Deramaxx, continued her Cephalexin and her added antibiotic of Zeniquin.

I shall make a separate blog post re: her three repearted visits to the Vets and where everything stands at this time for BHRR's Emma. 🙁

BHRR's Emily – Spay Day & having her bladder expressed – urine is bloody

Donations to her growing Vet Bills can be made in the following ways.

Kanata Animal Hospital (613) 836-2848 and they will take Visa, M/C and AMEX over the phone. They will take Debit or Cash in person at 440 Hazeldean Road in Kanata, Ontario

You can also mail donations via a Bank Draft to:

Birch Haven Rescue & Rehabilitation Services
C/O Gwendilin Boers
2425 Totem Ranch Road West
RR#1 Oxford Station, Ontario
K0G 1T0

OR email transfer to gwen@birchhaven.org

OR via PayPal(please use the 'gift' option)

What she does still need to date are:

1) Packing Blankets/Duvets/Comforters as she does have some sores and is weak with bad hips
2) Puppy Pee Pads as she is still having some incontinence
3) She LOVES the smoked knuckle bones
4) FROMM Wet Canned Dog Food
5) Pinesol
6) Donations towards her Vet Bills that are continuing to mount quickly – BHRR's Emma really needs angels….

***I will continue to update the list as needed**

BHRR's Emma's ANGELS: $1,550 donated to date & Bills $2,488.67
Maggie
Anna
Karen
Suzanne
Nairn
Peter
Verbruggen Family
Nathalie
Leslie
Judy

I had a detailed conversation re: BHRR's Emma with her Vet today. Her culture & sensitivity results are now in and she has two nasty eastie beasties and as I thought; the cephalexin is not sensitive to all that she is carrying.

So, we have now added Zeniquin 200 mg to her antibiotic regime. She will be on both antibiotics.

AND, we discussed the fact that she is now 2" larger. So, could this one other eastie beastie be the cause? OR, is there something….a mass that was not picked up in the u/s or X-Rays for her bladder was so huge and we also did not x-ray past her rib cage as we were only looking for baby babinos at that time. Other than getting wider in the girth, she has no other changes to her body ie teats.

AND the Vet discussed with us the possibility of uretha incontinence; even though; it is not that common in unspayed females. However; per her Vet and our own agreement; we are going to do the spay first and see if the antibiotics work their magic on her incontinence.

She is totally confused about the housebreaking still. She reminds me quite a bit like BHRR's Windsor in that when he was a baby. 😀 We are working on it!

Her spay is still scheduled for the 29th and I am glad to be giving her this extra time(originally, when she was first brought in; the Vet discussed about doing the spay this week and feels good that it was pushed off as; the results are just in for the C&S and we now know she needs stronger meds) to fight off this UTI.

Donations to her growing Vet Bills can be made in the following ways.

Kanata Animal Hospital (613) 836-2848 and they will take Visa, M/C and AMEX over the phone. They will take Debit or Cash in person at 440 Hazeldean Road in Kanata, Ontario

You can also mail donations via a Bank Draft to:

Birch Haven Rescue & Rehabilitation Services
C/O Gwendilin Boers
2425 Totem Ranch Road West
RR#1 Oxford Station, Ontario
K0G 1T0

OR email transfer to gwen@birchhaven.org

OR via PayPal(please use the 'gift' option)

What she does still need to date are:

1) Packing Blankets/Duvets/Comforters as she does have some sores and is weak with bad hips
2) Puppy Pee Pads as she is still having some incontinence
3) She LOVES the smoked knuckle bones
4) FROMM Wet Canned Dog Food
5) Pinesol
6) Donations towards her Vet Bills that are already substantial regardless if she is pregnant or not
7) Paper Towels

***I will continue to update the list as needed**

BHRR's Emma's ANGELS: $1,525 donated to date & Bills $1,951.52
Maggie
Anna
Karen
Suzanne
Nairn
Peter
Verbruggen Family
Nathalie
Leslie

BHRR's Emma is still struggling with her housebreaking and is not getting any smaller in size.

Her UTI is not improving and I shall discuss with the Vet tomorrow re: a possible change in antibiotics. She is also still having incontinence.

Her culture results should be back later this week.

She was developing some SA behavours and so, I have had to put her more into the hands of Sean. She has also begun to develop some little resourcing over me(just grumbles) and she is in doggie boot camp re: that.

She is fully integrated with all dogs and is a really low maintenance dog in so many ways. She will get there re: her other issues. It is understandable yet; is not acceptable behavour.

Donations to her growing Vet Bills can be made in the following ways.

Kanata Animal Hospital (613) 836-2848 and they will take Visa, M/C and AMEX over the phone. They will take Debit or Cash in person at 440 Hazeldean Road in Kanata, Ontario

You can also mail donations via a Bank Draft to:

Birch Haven Rescue & Rehabilitation Services
C/O Gwendilin Boers
2425 Totem Ranch Road West
RR#1 Oxford Station, Ontario
K0G 1T0

OR email transfer to gwen@birchhaven.org

OR via PayPal(please use the 'gift' option)

What she does still need to date are:

1) Packing Blankets/Duvets/Comforters as she does have some sores and is weak with bad hips
2) Puppy Pee Pads as she is still having some incontinence
3) She LOVES the smoked knuckle bones
4) FROMM Wet Canned Dog Food
5) Pinesol
6) Donations towards her Vet Bills that are already substantial regardless if she is pregnant or not
7) Paper Towels

***I will continue to update the list as needed**

BHRR's Emma's ANGELS:      $1,525 donated to date & Bills $1,660.14
Maggie
Anna
Karen
Suzanne
Nairn
Peter
Verbruggen Family
Nathalie
Leslie

BHRR’s Emma’s fecal is negative yet that does not necessarily mean she is parasite free. She is being proactively dewormed as part of our normal preventative Vet Care management.

All her Wellness blood results came back normal! 🙂

The Vet and I discussed further the relaxin test results and that if her result was positive; it would mean that she was 22 days or further with gestation. So, *if* she is pregnant, at the time of the relaxin testing; she has to be less than 22 days pregnant – therefore, very early in her pregnancy.

We also went through her urine results – the culture & sensitivity will not be in until later next week; and she has a raging UTI. 🙁 We have gone through several dog beds plus tons of bedding for her so far since her arrival to BHRR.

As we want her to be a healthy girl when spaying; we are planning as posted; to spay her on the 29th of May.

The slight worry is that if we take the time between when she had her u/s, x-rays and relaxin testing – May 16th and when she is scheduled for her spay – May 29th; and if she *is* pregnant; that adds 13 more days to any gestation.

Now, we also know that she was picked up on May 4th and on May 5th; she was dropped off at the Shelter and if we went under the unlikely supposition that she got pregnant on the 4th; that is 12 days from the 4th to the 16th; so too early for relaxin testing to show a positive and from there we now add another 13 days – May 29th – her spay date – that makes 25 days gestation (May 4th to the 29th) and a repeat relaxin test would rule out for sure any pregnancy.

What we shall do is another u/s and x-rays that day of her spay yet; per what we have already posted; if she was not pregnant or in the early stages; she would be spayed.

She would not be spayed ( until later ) unless she was in an advanced state of pregnancy or if it was dangerous; compromising her own health.

All of this is to sum up; that based upon all her results and that we do need to give her body time to become more healthy ( allow the antibiotics to do their thing, determine if she is even on the right antibiotics, obtain better nutrition, see how the Fucithalmic works on the small irritation on that one eye due to the mild entropion etc.); she will be spayed May 29th.

A lot of serious thought processing and conversations and discussions has been had with no less than three Vets to make sure that what we are doing and when and how we are doing things is making sure that BHRR’s Emma is completely done right by.

Some of BHRR's Emma's test results are back in:

1) HWT – Negative
2) Relaxin – Negative – so, at this time; it looks like her bladder and a false pregnancy are why she is looking the way she is
3) Urine – full of eastie beasites 🙁 and we are still awaiting the results of the culture – will take about 10 days to determine if the cephalexin is the right antibiotic to be using.

We are still waiting on full results from her Wellness bloodwork and fecal testing.

At this time, she is scheduled for her spay on May 29th, 2012 barring if something comes up with her bloodwork, if any repeat x-rays plus u/s reveals a pregnancy and if her urine and/or fecal results require a delay.

From there, she will need another vaccine booster(one was given to her by the Shelter) and her rabies and we will continue to monitor those hips and balance. As she receives better nturition and exercise; this will greatly assist her and I will also put her into some Canine Water Wellness Hydrotherapy sessions once she is up and running in health.

I want to re-visit with another exam her eye and perhaps; we can get a better exam on those hips and we might just x-ray those hips when she is under for her spay.

Donations to her growing Vet Bills can be made in the following ways.

Kanata Animal Hospital (613) 836-2848 and they will take Visa, M/C and AMEX over the phone. They will take Debit or Cash in person at 440 Hazeldean Road in Kanata, Ontario

You can also mail donations via a Bank Draft to:

Birch Haven Rescue & Rehabilitation Services
C/O Gwendilin Boers
2425 Totem Ranch Road West
RR#1 Oxford Station, Ontario
K0G 1T0

OR email transfer to gwen@birchhaven.org

OR via PayPal(please use the 'gift' option)

BHRR's Emma's ANGELS:      $1,225 donated to date & Bills $1,660.14
Maggie
Anna
Karen
Suzanne
Nairn
Peter
Verbruggen Family

UPDATE:

we are just leaving KAH now. BHRR's Emma has a bad UTI – her bladder is just huge and that has made the taking of ultrasounds(done twice) & x-rays very difficult. Her bladder is just enormous, the poor thing and that is almost all that you can see; that and her intestines. 🙁
So, at this time; we are unable to see babies via u/s or x-rays. Her Vet also discussed the case with an x-ray specialist. BHRR's Emma was also examined by two Vets.
So, she is on a heavy dose of antibiotics – cephalexin for her UTI and we are running a sample of her urine after doing a cysto collection.
She is on Fucithalmic for her eye and we did bw for a hwt, wellness plus we are doing a relaxin test to see if we can determine a possible pregnancy that way. We do understand that if she is really early on; that this test will not read positive.
We shall repeat the x-rays and u/s next week as we could not rule out no pregnancy due to that bladder and if it was super early plus if they were pushed up under her rib cage but no skeletal systems were located in the x-rays done today nor did we see any amniotic sacs in the u/s.
We are aiming to spay her once she has had time to become more healthy and depending on all the results of her bw and the repeat x-rays and u/s next week.
Being slightly skittish of most of the staff made things a wee bit more challenging too. BUT, she was a brave girl!!
She is even very skittish of Sean and when he met me at KAH, he was going to take BHRR's Emma for a pee while I went to the bathroom quickly and when I came back, I noticed that he did not have her and he and another person were trying to keep her off the road. She had pulled out of his hands and he was just trying to keep her off the road until I came back out.
In crouching down and calling to her softly, she came right to me.

Donations to her mounting Vet Bills can be made direct to Kanata Animal Hospital (613) 836-2848

or via PayPal

or via email transfer to gwen@birchhaven.org

Thanks to all my fellow lovelies at KAH as always for being the best of the best out there!!
We are also doing a fecal and deworming her.
She also has a mild hygroma on one of her elbows – lots of soft bedding shall help that
Her panting can at this time be explained by her being stressed, out of shape, uncomfortable due to her bad hips and UTI
 

UPDATE:

Now, that we are home; I also wanted to post that her heart sounded great and once she is more healthy in muscle and settled in with her anxiety; we will re-visit her balance if needed.
She weighed 61 kgs(134.2 pounds) and her growing girth can easily be passed with an explanation of that growing bladder. OR a false pregnancy is very possible.

VIDEO #1 from May 14th, 2012
VIDEO #2 from May 14th, 2012

What she does need to date are:

1) Packing Blankets/Duvets/Comforters as she does have some sores and is weak with bad hips
2) Puppy Pee Pads as she is having some incontinence and discharge
3) She LOVES the smoked knuckle bones
4) Rice
5) FROMM Wet Canned Dog Food
6) Towels
7) Pinesol
8. Leash(she has a collar – thanks to Karen and to HotDogsallDressed Inc.)
9) Donations towards her Vet Bills that shall be substantial regardless if she is pregnant or not
10) Paper Towels

***I will continue to update the list as needed**

BHRR's Emma's ANGELS:      $1,175 donated to date & Bills $1,500 and growing
Maggie
Anna
Karen
Suzanne
 

BHRR's Emma is doing better today than yesterday. She had a good night yet; getting her to eat was a bit of a challenge and I have her on homecooking with some canned wet dog food mixed in. She seems to be eating that well and is drinking much more normally.

She has had two accidents in her crate; one pee in the night(she was out around 2:30 AM and again at 5:00 AM) and she had a poop inside of her crate today – soft yet fairly well formed.

I meant to take her stomach measurement yesterday for all of us looked at her today and went 'we are sure she is bigger!' but she is eating and drinking better and on that rack of bones body; she would be bigger. She is being fed 5 meals a day right now. I did take her measurement tonight just at the last rib and she is 37" around. We shall see if that changes dramatically over time.

She seems most comfortable with me and is already responding to her name and Sean and I worry a lot about her balance. She is not steady on her feet and she also seems to have some trouble lifting her head straight up. She clearly is lacking muscle tone in her hind end and her back legs are weak plus her hips are not great. 🙁 Her front end is stronger(just as our Kona's was) and she is a very pretty soul.

She will growl a bit in fear at Sean or even Mason at night and the light is behind them and she cannot see who they are. She settles done well and I have both of them feeding her some of her meals and talking to her and around her in normal conversations while passively ignoring her.

She has been integrated with BHRR's Gretta and BHRR's Peanut and BHRR's Jetta. She seems mostly indifferent overall to them yet; did a mild grump at BHRR's Peanut when she was having a drink out of one of the communal water bowls and BHRR's Peanut came up to also have a drink. She will learn to share and she was softly corrected with words and she calmly just looked at me and then drank some more sans more grumping.

Tonight, she has grumped at any of the dogs that she feels is getting too close to me; for she has 'claimed' me as her own in her own way and will come to me when called and also on her own volition. She will lean and almost try to sit on me. So, we will be working on the 'sharing' as well. She is a strong girl and as I have said many times over; these survivors of hell have backbones and wills of steel. She is not overtly dominant, yet more subtle with a look and soft growls/grumping. You can tell that she has had to take a stand or two in the past and she just wants to have space and not worry about the other dogs taking things from her or hurting her.

I do worry about how quickly she can begin to pant and her legs will begin to shake if she stands too long. We will be doing bw including a hwt. Her right eye appears to be weeping a bit and we will also check into that.

I LOVE how she lays in her crate! Her front legs crossed. She is very quiet and she just LOVED the smoked bone she was given as a treatie last night. She chomped and munched on it and this is only going to benefit her teeth and body. Her teeth are in quite good condition, surprisingly enough and she has been very accepting in allowing me to touch and feel and hold ears, tail, feel, mouth etc.

I have to be really honest; this girl has just grabbed deep into my heart with those eyes; yup! THOSE eyes again…. LOL and I am looking forward to Tuesday and to seeing if we can obtain a better determination re: any possible pregnancy.

I know some are not going to want to read this part; but; if she is pregnant and if it is; early enough along; we shall spay her if BHRR's Emma's own health shall not be compromised at this time with a spay. There are enough puppies in this world born and not enough homes for them; let alone the parents and the breeding of dogs should be taken very seriously. The health and behavoural issues that comes with byber and puppymiller dogs is also very paramount in the minds of those of us in Rescue.

It is not just the cost to the Rescue that shall be incurred; for we committed to her welbeing; with the awareness that she could be pregnant and we will do right by her should she be pregnant and it is not safe to spay her due to her own health or if she is too far along to do it safely.

We are going to take this one step at at a time and for those wanting to donate to her cause; she has an account set up at:

Kanata Animal Hospital (613) 836-2848 and they will take Visa, M/C and AMEX over the phone. They will take Debit or Cash in person at 440 Hazeldean Road in Kanata, Ontario

You can also mail donations via a Bank Draft to:

Birch Haven Rescue & Rehabilitation Services
C/O Gwendilin Boers
2425 Totem Ranch Road West
RR#1 Oxford Station, Ontario
K0G 1T0

OR email transfer to gwen@birchhaven.org

OR via PayPal(please use the 'gift' option)

What she does need to date are:

1) Packing Blankets/Duvets/Comforters as she does have some sores and is weak with bad hips
2) Puppy Pee Pads as she is having some incontinence and discharge
3) She LOVES the smoked knuckle bones
4) Rice
5) FROMM Wet Canned Dog Food
6) Towels
7) Pinesol
8. Leash(she has a collar – thanks to Karen and to HotDogsallDressed Inc.)
9) Donations towards her Vet Bills that shall be substantial regardless if she is pregnant or not
10) Paper Towels

***I will continue to update the list as needed**

BHRR's Emma's ANGELS:
Maggie

Brought to our attention in the wee hours of the morning on Saturday May 5th, was of a GD that was picked up as a stray in the evening of May 4th(in such poor shape, she was rescued laying in mud) and in bad shape.

Unfortunately, though the person who had her was given our information and us theirs; they had placed her with a shelter in the Montreal area for they were just not equipped to take on a Giant Breed; let alone one with her needs and we then had to wait until her hold period was up to bring her to BHRR. One of the wonderful employees at the shelter, knew me from our time together on the first seizure done last September from PAWS R US and she contacted myself directly to ask if I would be willing to take her in.

We stayed in regular contact and today; finally we were able to bring BHRR's Emma(the name suggestion on our fb page thread just really seems to suit her!) today.

While she was at the shelter, we did ask to have vaccines held off as it is suspected that she may be pregnant yet; it appears from the paperwork that she was given DHPP & Bordetella.

We cannot thank the Shelter enough for keeping us updated, walking her and giving her baths(diarrhea) plus doing her nails(they were extremely overgrown). She is thin, appears to also have a UTI(incontinence and a smell) and she is scheduled to come with me to KAH on Tuesday for an exam etc. After such a long and stressful day; I want/need to give her a little time to just settle in and begin to relax. Bloat/Tort is very much a risk right now for her. She did not eat any supper offered her way yet did drink a little. If she was in critical state, we would have had her go to the Vet today.

In looking her over closely, I would say she is about 4 years old max, quite thin and could well be pregnant or a false pregnancy and she has had puppies in her past. 🙁 She is not a wallflower this one. She has lived a life already from her body and eyes yet; just as with FREEDOM DANE BHRR's Adele; with all the exercise she shall get here and all the positive support; she will thrive. BHRR's Adele zooms and plays and runs and romps for almost 4 hours each day(loves the AM the most!) with her daughters and some of their best friends. People are in awe of her body condition now and mental health and BHRR's Emma will get there too. She is a wise GD…..you can see the brain just ticking away. She is patient too.

Below is one photo of her from when she was first picked up and laying in the mud. She is a mismarked fawn mantle(fawntle)

BHRR's Emma – the night she was found as a stray and picked up in the Montreal area – May 4th, 2012