Further information on Sam

On the Save our Setters website, they had Sam listed as a medical hold for heart worms. Now, this concerned me because he seemed so healthy. Finally I decided to write an e-mail to see if I could get any more information about him. Alisa (the boss) called me herself. She has Sam and is fostering him until he is well enough to be adopted.

She explained that he is young and very healthy so he has an excellent prognosis. I was worried because after reading the vet records I saw that they had not tested for heart worms when I took him in for his shots and to be neutered. Alisa said it probably wouldn't have shown up on a test then because it takes 5 to 9 months for there to be enough antibodies in the blood to show up on a test. She said we had done an excellent job with him and had nothing to be ashamed or worried about. I still feel I should have noticed and had them test him...but like she said, it probably would have been a waste of time.

After having the medication (arsenic based) he must be in a crate and rest for about a month and then will be able to go for walks on a leash and finally allowed to run and play. She said once they get him through the waiting and resting period, she will write a profile for him and work to get him a forever home that will perfectly suit him.

She made me feel so much better. I told her I not only felt like I'd given up a child but now felt like I given up a sick child. How awful of me was that? She said I'd done the right thing to give him up and I know she is right. I still miss him and those big brown eyes. He's a beautiful dog and I'll probably always miss him.

Something was said about getting Mama another dog. I hope that idea gets forgotten. I am just not ready to have another dog around.

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Mattie has been suffering from a yeast infection. While we were on vacation, she accidentally got hold of a loaf of bread and ate every bite of it. Within a couple of days she was scratching almost continually. When we got back and heard what she'd done and saw how frantically she was scratching, I took her to the vet in Leitchfield.

Apparently they are used to Australian Shepherds because the vet came quietly into the room without making eye contact with Mattie. He moved very slowly and finally kneeled down and was able to see her rash. She was very well behaved. I think that despite not liking all the strange smells she knew they would help her. Everyone was so sweet to her.

The vet asked if she would try to bite him when he gave her the shot. I said that she would stand perfectly still and not even flinch. He said the shot would sting. I said it wouldn't matter, that she would not move.......and she didn't. He was very pleasantly surprised at her behavior. He was able to pet her by then and she was very calm.

....now that we are a few weeks down the calendar....

Mattie started scratching and chewing again. Since I was coming home on Sunday we decided that she should come home with me and that I'd take her to the vet here at home who has treated her for this before.

Dr. Hebert gave her two shots, two prescriptions, cut her nails, checked for parasites (because she's been eating rabbit pellets) and because I asked for it, checked her for heart worms. I just had to be sure she was okay. Not only did she have a yeast infection but she also had about three fleas back near her tail and also had some bacteria in her intestines. We had noticed that she hadn't been eating and now we know why. The bacteria makes her bloat and she feels uncomfortably full all the time. This should clear up pretty quickly.

We decided to give her the Advantix every three weeks rather than once a month for the fleas. She will take the Rx for the bacteria and another one for the yeast infection for about ten days. If she isn't well by then, Dr. Hebert will see her again. She felt this would take care of the problem.

She isn't scratching nearly as much today but still isn't eating. You can tell she's not feeling her best.

Her hair is growing out nicely. The short cut certainly helped when we needed to clean her up after she rolled in something that smelled wonderful to her and disgusting to us. It should be back to regular length in a couple of months.