BD Fund At Work in 2002

Jupiter Nov 3, 2001

Diagnosis: Uncontrollable glaucoma
Estimate: $1050 to $1450

This is Jupiter and I'm Lisa Rook, President of Northern California Sled Dog Rescue, we rescue northern breed dogs (Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Samoyeds, etc., both purebreds and mixes) from shelters throughout Northern California. In March of this year we rescued a 6 week old blind malamute mix puppy who had been surrendered to a shelter by a man whose wife had bought him for $10. The wife hadn't been told he was blind.. the husband didn't want a blind dog. This little darling became known as Jupiter.

Upon taking him to an ophthalmologic specialist in Vacaville, we learned he would be permanently blind the cause being glaucoma.

In November, 2001 - Unfortunately, Jupiter's eye problem has gotten dramatically worse in the last couple of months. At this point, we don't have much hope for trying to save his eyes. The pressure in one eye was up at 48 recently, and we're concerned about the possibility that it'll rupture at any time. We're about ready to admit defeat in this battle and are seeking assistance, financially, with the cost of the proposed eye removal (both) surgery. Our volunteer, non-profit group's treasury has been wiped out by Jupiter's expensive treatments and medications (as well as by another couple of expensive rescue dogs this year). We've got numerous fundraising campaigns launched, but are not expecting them to generate the funds necessary for the surgery in time.

Please help us help Jupiter.

Update 2/16/2002
Jupiter will be going into surgery either this week, or next, depending on Dr. Canton's busy schedule and our ability to coordinate getting him from Sonoma to Vacaville and back again. Thank you so very much for making his care possible. Blind Dogs is a truly amazing organization made up of truly amazing people.
Kind Wishes,
Libby

Update 3/17/2002

Jacki, thank you, to you, and to all who made it possible for Jupiter to have proper care with one of the best in animal Ophthalmology. There are plenty of vets here locally, who would have jumped at the chance to perform practice surgery on him. And tried. There were many vets here who simply advised putting him down.

That, was never an option.

Thanks to you' all, Jupiter is now home from his eye surgery, with Dr. David Canton, and resting in-between med administration and compresses. The challenge will be to keep him quite for the next few weeks. Yeah right.

Ivan, Jupiter's rather large wolf dog big brother, gave him gentle sniffs and kisses. Jupiter, still groggy from anesthesia, flew through the air, head cone and all, and challenged Ivan to their usual mock kill/wrestling match. Thankfully, Ivan is a low key kind of guy. He just stood there smiling down at Jupiter like "That's my boy!"

Needless to say, after Jupiter completed his business, I hauled the little invalid back indoors by his head cone and made him lie down with his uncle and mentor, Raj the cat.

Jacki, & IMOM members, I cannot thank you enough for your kindness and patience, (Between trying to work, pneumonia, and blowing five spinal discs, and the usual seizures, it was difficult to have much mobility, or clear communication between Dec. & Feb.) compassion towards Jupiter, and me, and for the work that you do on behalf of all blind dogs. Please let me know if you do not want photo updates of the little wild man. Other wise, you will receive many. Thank you so very much. Kind Wishes, Libby

Dudly

Diagnosis: Cataracts

Amount needed - $1370 - IMOM Blind Dogs Fund has pledged $870 and UC Davis has pledged $500. Please make a donation to the Blind Dogs Fund so we can help the next visually impaired
dog who needs us.

April 29, 2002

Dudly is our friend and companion. He's a sweet, chocolate colored, American Cocker Spaniel. He is seven years old. Dudly has been with us since he was six months old. Regretfully he has developed a serious problem - he is going blind. The poor little guy is bumping into things now and he needs help quite often.

However; when it became obvious that he was having problems with his sight; I took him to the University of California Veterinarian Hospital, in Davis. On March 07, 2002. His eyes were carefully examined in the VMTH Ophthalmology by Faculty Resident Clinician: Dr. Steve Hollingsworth and Resident Clinician: Dr. Stephanie Beaumont. Their diagnosis was as follows: He has cataracts. They are developing in both eyes. The cataract in his left eye had progressed more than the one in his right eye. The cataract in his left eye was very swollen and is bulging towards the front of the eye

At that time bilateral surgery was recommended for the removal of both cataracts. It was their opinion that surgery (if done in the near future) would most likely restore th sight in his eyes. The blood work was done and surgery was scheduled tentatively for March 20, 2002. Prednisone was prescribed to decrease the inflammation.

Unfortunately, due to our lack of funds and the need for more time to provide the money; the surgery was rescheduled for April 30. We were instructed to continue the prednisone drops. On April 18, 2002, about 42 days later, Dudly was returned to the clinic to be checked. It was apparent that his vision was deteriorating at an alarming rate.

Beverly Bridges advised me that UCD's Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital would possible contribute a maximum of $500.00 toward the surgery. With Beverly's help I have applied to them for that donation and I have been approved for a maximum of $500.00, leaving a required balance of $869.40.

Whatever your organization can do to help us with that final balance will be greatly appreciated by us and by Dudly.

UPDATE - 5/10/2002

Dudly suffered from painful cataracts, and was going blind. He had his surgery on 5/3, and after a bit of a scare, is now doing very well. His mom provided this update a few days later:

DUDLY CAN SEE AGAIN!....... HE IS ALSO OUT OF PRESENT DANGER....Thank you again for all your support .We took Dudly back to University California, Davis VMTH ophthalmology on Monday to have DR. Beaumont and DR. Maggs check the intraocular pressure in his eye's. Doctor's were very pleased Dudly's pressure was DOWN to (7) from(31). They said his pressure was better than they ever could have hoped for. They were delighted and so relieved. We will still have to watch him very closely, and treat his pressure constantly this next week. Last week of course was the worst. We are so grateful that he didn't damage his eye when he pulled his E-collar off. That was really frightening for us as well as for the Doctors. He's back on track and the GREAT NEWS is that DUDLY CAN SEE!! He is absolutely BLOWN AWAY. What wonderful, awesome, emotional comfort it must be for him. BEING ABLE TO SEE....It has certainly been emotional for us. He is doing great and is much loved. We will take good care of him no matter what the future brings. We have faith that it will be brighter for him in many ways. THANK YOU AGAIN for your support. He is lying here on my foot and giving me little kisses now and then. Do you think he knows I'm writing about him and is trying to say thank youuuuuuuu!!..... I do. PEACE,LOVE,AND HEALING EVERYONE! Will keep you posted. DUDLY,ANITA & MY SPECIAL MOTHER

Truman - May 6, 2002
Diagnosis: Painful cataracts - Both eyes. He will go blind without surgery.

Needed: $2800 - Applicant has $800 and IMOM has pledged $800 from the Linda Glass Blind Dogs Fund. We still need $1200.

Truman was rescued from a New York shelter. He was sick from the start, but his new family nursed him to health. They have had Truman with them for 9 months, and now he has cataracts. He is going blind.

Truman loves people and loves to pull a sled with other dogs. His family has rescued another Huskie, so that Truman has a playmate.

His family is already in debt and cannot afford any more payments. They hope to find a way to pay for his surgery so he does not have to suffer more pain or lose his precious sight. Truman can be helped though our Linda Glass Memorial Fund

UPDATE 7/27/2002
Truman had his surgery on Thurs. the 25th. It was successful in removing the cataracts. He now need 2 weeks of full rest and quiet. This will be difficult because he is such a fun loving dog. The success of this surgery will depend on how calm we can keep him. Too much movement can dislodge the lenses in his eyes. I want to thank IMOM for all of their help, w/out them surgery would not have been possible. I also want to thank everyone that donated to Truman. He will thank you in a couple of weeks when he feels better! He needs medications just about all day and has to wear a plastic cone/collar around his head to prevent him from getting at his eyes. They are stitched and half shut which I am sure is very confusing for him. I will give an update on his post op. after the next appt. which is next week I will know more then on how successful we were. Thanks again to everyone who donated. Julie