12-12-07 - At this time, unfortunately, Grace is still experiencing seizures periodically. She is still on medication to help reduce her risk of having them, but she has a seizure about once per month. Also, we just found out recently that she has a heart condition and may have had a heart attack. Due to this recent change in her health, we are placing her adoption on hold for now so that she can stay comfortable in her familiar environment with her foster family. We would like to continue to observe her health and watch for progress before we determine when and if she should be adopted out. Thank you for your interest and concern for this precious baby.
September 18, 2007: Grace has recovered exceptionally well from having 14 teeth removed. Her remaining teeth are pearly white. Her follow-up blood work reveals a much lower white blood count since all of the infection as been removed. She will remain on her antibiotic for two more weeks. Grace's lipase levels are somewhat high which could indicate that she has pancreatitis. Grace has not displayed any symptoms of pancreatitis which include vomiting, diarrhea or stomach soreness. Dr. Herman believes that continuing to provide a low fat healthy diet will control any possible pancreatic issues. Grace will need to have her blood work reviewed every 6 months to monitor her lipase levels. Her dry food is soaked in low sodium chicken broth and she has no trouble eating. Dr. Herman states that Grace's kidney function is excellent and that she has many more years of love to give to that special home. Grace's eyesight is dim but has no trouble following her foster people and pups around the house. Grace will be evaluated by a specialist to consider the removal of the extra tissue from her soft palate. Grace is looking for a fur-ever home that will love her with same amount of love that she gives her foster family.
Grace went for surgery last Friday (8/31). She had 14 teeth removed, leaving only about 6 in her whole mouth. The vet tech. said that while cleaning her teeth, they discovered that a few of them were only being held in her mouth by plaque. The vet said she had something called a cystula, which means that the roots of 2 of her teeth had grown up into her sinus cavity, causing infection. Some of her raspy breathing and constant sneezing was attributed to this particular infection. I know her poor little mouth had to be in terrible pain! While she was asleep, Dr. Herman also looked down her throat and confirmed that she does, indeed, have an elongated soft palate (which is surgically correctable). She only has a hard time breathing when she is stressed out or excited. Poor Grace also had 3 non-cancerous cysts removed (one behind her ear, one on her hip and one on her back foot) which is why she has shaved spots. She was put to sleep for a total of about 5 hours and had a very hard time waking back up, but after about 15 minutes, she finally could breath on her own. The good news is that Dr. Herman said she would probably feel better now than she has in her entire life! She is still on antibiotic just in case there is any infection left, as well as liqid B12 because she lost SO much blood during surgery. She also takes an immune booster to help her little body get rid of all that infection in her mouth.
She was on narcotics for about 4 days, but still wanted to be up running around with the rest of the "pack". Despite all she has been through, she has now started to run around, wag her little tail and give sweet kisses. She is such a beautiful girl and I know she feels so much better - after having her stitches removed and recovering from surgery, she will soon be ready for her FURever family!
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Poor Grace was found wandering the streets in NC. She is so sweet and LOVES people. We believe she was dumped by someone because of her medical issues. She was well fed and her hair cut, so she belonged to someone, but nobody claimed this dear soul at Animal Control so she was scheduled to be euthanized before Yorkie Haven Rescue stepped in. Despite what Grace has been through, she gives lots of kisses and loves to cuddle with her foster family.
Grace has horrible teeth with infections throughout her gums, and was placed on antibiotics right away. The vet said if she tried to pull any of her teeth right now, that the infection is so bad that Grace's jaw would break. Grace also breathes with little snorting noises while she is awake, but once she goes to sleep, the noise stops. Once Grace gets some of the infection in her mouth healed, the vet will be able to further examine Grace's throat.
Please open your heart and donate to help get this girl well again. Let her know there are people who care and love her and won't toss her away again. Thank you.
To make a donation to help us save more pups by sponsoring their vet care, please click below. No amount is too small!
Please click here for an adoption application.
www.YorkieHavenRescue.com
