Showing posts with label BARC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BARC. Show all posts
Forgot!
As I've mentioned, I've tried to repeatedly contact BARC about Cooper's distemper. The furthest I've got is leaving a message on some unnamed person's voicemail. A few days after leaving that message, someone from BARC called me and left a message, but it was a "you didn't show up for your neutering.... we want to see how you are adjusting" type deal. Gheez! Talk about disorganized.
Learning Stuff
Cooper is still hanging in. We go to the vet tomorrow for more Immunoregulin. It will be the last twice a week treatment. We will go once a week after Monday, which is good, because I feel like it makes him breathe hard for about 2 to 3 hours after treatment. I ordered the second bottle of the 4life Transfor Factor Plus. I think I need to retract my previous doubt about the product. My vet did find some data that shows it is at least coincidentally beneficial for distemper. There is no way of knowing of course, but we are still neurological problem free. I ordered the product from Judy's Health Cafe. Please visit them if you are interested.
Our vet had an open house this weekend. It was great! Lots of vendors and I got to see the pretty spiffy isolation ICU area that Cooper was in. Pretty nice. The vet is feeling "cautiously optimistic" now. I have to admit, I am too. Of course, any sudden movements make me nervous! I am almost constantly thinking to myself, "did his paw moving indicate a tick?". I guess it doesn't help that I have MS myself. Maybe it does. I don't know, but since I have weird little ticks and shaking, I guess I look for them in Coop. Anyway, we are doing another PCR test this week too. Using urine and/or blood this time. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test that looks for viral DNA. To be honest, I'm not quite sure how that works, but I know it involves heat/cooling a sample. It sounds pretty cool.
Yesterday was a political deal at BARC. I really wanted to go, but got a very late start. I think I slept 11 hours! I'm interested to hear how it went.
We spent today at my townhouse in the Montrose. It is nice to be home. We practiced the sit command, and I think he's got it. I guess stay and come will be next. I need to go get an Easy Leader. Oh... Cooper is a BARKER. Ugh. I can't stand that. I hope my neighbors don't want to kill me. I guess we'll need to work on "quiet" or "enough" as well. Maybe he'll grow out of it or neutering will help. We don't walk outside of my patio because I'm afraid of him being contagious. I think the risk is minimal at this stage, but just in case. So, maybe once we can exercise fully, it will help the barking too.
Our vet had an open house this weekend. It was great! Lots of vendors and I got to see the pretty spiffy isolation ICU area that Cooper was in. Pretty nice. The vet is feeling "cautiously optimistic" now. I have to admit, I am too. Of course, any sudden movements make me nervous! I am almost constantly thinking to myself, "did his paw moving indicate a tick?". I guess it doesn't help that I have MS myself. Maybe it does. I don't know, but since I have weird little ticks and shaking, I guess I look for them in Coop. Anyway, we are doing another PCR test this week too. Using urine and/or blood this time. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test that looks for viral DNA. To be honest, I'm not quite sure how that works, but I know it involves heat/cooling a sample. It sounds pretty cool.
Yesterday was a political deal at BARC. I really wanted to go, but got a very late start. I think I slept 11 hours! I'm interested to hear how it went.
We spent today at my townhouse in the Montrose. It is nice to be home. We practiced the sit command, and I think he's got it. I guess stay and come will be next. I need to go get an Easy Leader. Oh... Cooper is a BARKER. Ugh. I can't stand that. I hope my neighbors don't want to kill me. I guess we'll need to work on "quiet" or "enough" as well. Maybe he'll grow out of it or neutering will help. We don't walk outside of my patio because I'm afraid of him being contagious. I think the risk is minimal at this stage, but just in case. So, maybe once we can exercise fully, it will help the barking too.
Depressed
I've kind of run out of steam. I am so depressed about the whole prospect of Cooper having a seizure at any moment. Its like an invisible knife is swinging over his head. Last night he was having trouble breathing and I wasn't sure whether it was tremors. So, sleeping has been difficult for me. Today he seems fine for the most part... his rash is back though and he's itchy.
I'm also torn between what to believe about how bad the strain is he has.... I mentioned previously that in my research, the hard pad stuff is a bad sign. Dr. Shows says not neccessarily. I believe the rash he has had is also part of the virus (again based on my research), but this supposedly means a favorable prognosis.
I am still pretty ticked off at the whole BARC thing. I haven't mentioned yet, but I was pretty disgusted with the vet that I saw when I was checked out of BARC. I now fully believe she had to know he was a suspicious distemper case because his kennel card had mentioned fever or something of the sort a few days earlier. He also had a skin rash, with psoriasis type crusts in places. I also pointed out to her his goopy eyes. She said it was "allergies" and gave me an antibiotic. (yes, antibiotics for an allergy). I know now these were all early warning signs of the distemper. That being said... I'd probably have adopted him anyways. So no regrets, just complete sadness that this is happening. Human beings are pretty questionable stewards of this planet, in my opinion.
I've attached a link to his kennel card. I'm too lazy to figure out how to put it properly, so you may not see it directly.
I'm also torn between what to believe about how bad the strain is he has.... I mentioned previously that in my research, the hard pad stuff is a bad sign. Dr. Shows says not neccessarily. I believe the rash he has had is also part of the virus (again based on my research), but this supposedly means a favorable prognosis.
I am still pretty ticked off at the whole BARC thing. I haven't mentioned yet, but I was pretty disgusted with the vet that I saw when I was checked out of BARC. I now fully believe she had to know he was a suspicious distemper case because his kennel card had mentioned fever or something of the sort a few days earlier. He also had a skin rash, with psoriasis type crusts in places. I also pointed out to her his goopy eyes. She said it was "allergies" and gave me an antibiotic. (yes, antibiotics for an allergy). I know now these were all early warning signs of the distemper. That being said... I'd probably have adopted him anyways. So no regrets, just complete sadness that this is happening. Human beings are pretty questionable stewards of this planet, in my opinion.
I've attached a link to his kennel card. I'm too lazy to figure out how to put it properly, so you may not see it directly.
Vet Check-Up
Yesterday we went to the vet for a check-up. Everything seems to be stable. I am starting him on Hearguard, since he is healthy enough now. Dr. Shows and I have been in discussion about some alternate treatmeants, including Interferons, supplements, and even my MS medications. Next week we are going to probably start something called "Immunoregulin". It sounds similar to the interferons. My viewpoint is to do anything that might make his immune system stronger, since that is the only chance of beating the distemper. Right now we are in the lull between recovery and possible neurological signs.
Yesterday was a radio interview about BARC. I missed it, but will try and find it online. I've exchanged an email or two with the president of the No Kill Houston group. Check them out, especially the report on BARC.
More to say, but it will have to be later.
Yesterday was a radio interview about BARC. I missed it, but will try and find it online. I've exchanged an email or two with the president of the No Kill Houston group. Check them out, especially the report on BARC.
More to say, but it will have to be later.
Good Times
Well, no updates in a while because things have been going well. Cooper has one more day of being wormed. I don't think his paw pads are getting worse, and everyday his cough is getting less and less.
Since he was sick most of the time I had him, I'm seeing his true personality. I've discovered some things about Cooper:
1) He is related to plastic man. It doesn't matter how high or far an item is on the cabinets, he can reach it. Well, I assume its him.... maybe he has an invisible helper.
2) Tissues are yummy.
3) All pillows, stuffed toys, and clothes are very sexy. I'm not going to say it... if you have ever owned a male dog, then you know.
4) He defies the Law of Conservation of Matter. More "matter" comes out of him, than goes in.
I am still trying to reach BARC. Yesterday I was on hold for 40 minutes. I gave up. Part of adopting from BARC is agreeing to return to have them neutered. Well, my deadline was yesterday. Ummm, news to BARC: my dog will never set a paw pad on your premises again!
Since he was sick most of the time I had him, I'm seeing his true personality. I've discovered some things about Cooper:
1) He is related to plastic man. It doesn't matter how high or far an item is on the cabinets, he can reach it. Well, I assume its him.... maybe he has an invisible helper.
2) Tissues are yummy.
3) All pillows, stuffed toys, and clothes are very sexy. I'm not going to say it... if you have ever owned a male dog, then you know.
4) He defies the Law of Conservation of Matter. More "matter" comes out of him, than goes in.
I am still trying to reach BARC. Yesterday I was on hold for 40 minutes. I gave up. Part of adopting from BARC is agreeing to return to have them neutered. Well, my deadline was yesterday. Ummm, news to BARC: my dog will never set a paw pad on your premises again!
Ewe.... Gross!
Well, we have a new symptom! Cooper also has worms. Hopefully he is healthy enough to be dewormed. We will go to the vet on Monday. I think this is the first day he has not run a temperature either, so things are stable.
On the down side, I think his paws are starting to thicken. This is called "hyperkeratosis". This is further indication of the distemper, and that the virus is maybe getting a good hold on my puppy.
For those that don't know, distemper is an awful virus. Survival rate is 20% to 50%, at best. The virus works in phases. It first usually goes for the lining of the lungs, creating bad pneumonia. Also, the nose and eyes run and drip like crazy. Case in point, all last week Cooper constantly had snot stuck to the sides of his face. It was gross. Anyway, after the lung attack, if the animal survives, then stomach and/or skin issues come into play. Finally, the neurological systems are attacked, which usually is just about as bad as it sounds. I just hope that Cooper does not reach that phase. I hope beyond all hope that his little white blood cells and killer cells kick the distemper's ass to the curb. For more on distemper, read here.
On the down side, I think his paws are starting to thicken. This is called "hyperkeratosis". This is further indication of the distemper, and that the virus is maybe getting a good hold on my puppy.
For those that don't know, distemper is an awful virus. Survival rate is 20% to 50%, at best. The virus works in phases. It first usually goes for the lining of the lungs, creating bad pneumonia. Also, the nose and eyes run and drip like crazy. Case in point, all last week Cooper constantly had snot stuck to the sides of his face. It was gross. Anyway, after the lung attack, if the animal survives, then stomach and/or skin issues come into play. Finally, the neurological systems are attacked, which usually is just about as bad as it sounds. I just hope that Cooper does not reach that phase. I hope beyond all hope that his little white blood cells and killer cells kick the distemper's ass to the curb. For more on distemper, read here.
Progress
Cooper was nebulized today. He is doing much better, but I know that this virus likes to hit in cycles. This sucks.
Oh, tried calling BARC. Was on hold 15 minutes, then gave up.
Oh, tried calling BARC. Was on hold 15 minutes, then gave up.
Bad News
I am so ticked! The vets did some sort of epitheleal test on Cooper, and the results came back that distemper is confirmed..... : ( I am very bummed. It was one of those things that I knew was the case, but HOPED I was wrong. The virus is TOTALLY avoidable. Cooper was picked up by BARC on August 20th, and was "supposedly" vaccinated that day. There is no doubt that he got the distemper at BARC. Also the titer test showed he was not exposed to any other virus. I believe if he truly was vaccinated by BARC, then those would have turned positive. Grrrrrrr.
Good news is his pneumonia seems to be clearing. He is being taken off of the IV antibiotics, and switched to pills. Tomorrow he will only need to go to the vet for nebulization.
Good news is his pneumonia seems to be clearing. He is being taken off of the IV antibiotics, and switched to pills. Tomorrow he will only need to go to the vet for nebulization.
Supplements?
Today I received an order of supplements that were FedEx'ed to me. They are called 4Life Transfor Factor Plus. They are probably crap, but I found some other people bulletin boarding that they had success with it and distemper. Since little Cooper has been in the hospital everyday this week, I'll try anything.
Cooper has severe pnuemonia. He has been in the "hospital" since Tuesday. Since prognosis is not good, I have been bringing him home at night.... so he has some happiness.
Cooper has severe pnuemonia. He has been in the "hospital" since Tuesday. Since prognosis is not good, I have been bringing him home at night.... so he has some happiness.
Background
So, the reason for this blog is mostly for my own personal journaling. I adopted a new puppy on September 5th from BARC (aka Houston's pound). BARC has been plagued with tons of problems, I thought mostly political, but as I have found out, the problems extend to basic competence. Why? Because my new puppy, Cooper, has distemper.
This has been a nightmare. I am determined for him to survive. So, this BLOG is my way to vent and maybe in a small way inform people that the problems at BARC extend beyond the salary of the new director.
This has been a nightmare. I am determined for him to survive. So, this BLOG is my way to vent and maybe in a small way inform people that the problems at BARC extend beyond the salary of the new director.
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