My name is Kodi!

Update 03/16/14: Kodi had his neuter surgery and dental where he lost 7 teeth. His teeth were much worse than expected as there was one that was cracked and others that were cutting into his lip. Kodi is still very underweight but is starting to enjoy his new high calorie diet now that his teeth don't hurt anymore. It has been wonderful to see this little soul blossom with all the care that you have made possible by your donations. He is a sweetheart who has been through so much. Thank you for your continued support!

Whats next for Kodi? - well, he will need to see the neurologist again to evaluate the pins and his swallowing. It is hard to describe, however, it seems that he is not efficient with his swallowing so he does tend to gag quite a bit. We are working on finding a combination of food type and consistency which may allow him to eat without a struggle. This week we are trying to syringe feed a more liquid diet. Stay tuned as we figure out what we need to do to get this little one up to a healthy weight!

Update 3/9/14: Kodi's surgery is considered a success! Thank you so much to all who have sent their good wishes, prayers and support for this special little guy. He is walking! Kodi will always have to be very careful as the pins could slip, but as things are now - everyone is pleased.

The next step for Kodi is to be neutered and get a dental and then find a forever family who will spoil him rotten the rest of his life!

Kodi's forever home will need to be one where there are no children and no other pets over 6 pounds due to his size and history. He still has issues walking and being secure with where he places his feet. To help this, he will need carpets or other secure footing where he cannot slip and fall - oh, and no stairs for this little guy! Kodi will need to see the neurologist at the Vet Hospital in Madison at least once a year to ensure his spinal chord remains protected.

Update 1/24/14: Kodi had his post surgery check up with pictures last week. So far, he is healing well. He has 4 pins in his neck that stabilize the C1/C2 vertebrae in his spine. Because he is such a small little thing, we knew there would be a risk with the pins not being just right. Kodi does have one pin that has entered the spinal column just a tiny bit. What does this mean? Hopefully nothing. The X-rays show that the healing process is underway and the "cement" they used has done it's job so the pins are not moving. The Neurologist does not expect that the pins will cause any problems for him in the future but still would like him to be thought of as a "fragile" dog. This means that he will need to avoid jumping up or down and no side-to-side movements like shaking his head. The best part is that the damage that has been done to his spinal chord has not progressed and he is not in pain. As time goes by, we will see how much healing he will have to the spinal chord. He still isn't secure about where his feet are in relation to his body and walks stiffly, but just a few months ago - he couldn't even walk! He sure has come a long way thanks to you and UYR!!

Kodi will need to wait another 4 weeks before he can be neutered, have a dental and then be adopted out. Kodi is super sweet and quite a snuggler! He will need a very special home to be adopted into. Please no children under the age of 15 or other dogs over 10 lbs as we want to give him the best chance at a pain free life and protect his neck. No electric fences or collars of any type for this little guy. His new family must be one who is willing to stay in touch with a neurologist to have him checked periodically to monitor his health and the location of his pins. If you are that special someone, please submit an application.

Kodi and I want to give a huge "Woof" out to all the rescue angels who are helping him receive the medical care he needs. Without your help, Kodi would not have made it. Thank You!!

Update 12/05/13: Kodi is doing better and better each day. He continues to be rather unsteady, but he is still making gains so we have high hopes that he will regain his strength. Kodi spends much of his time in seclusion from the other dogs and on our laps getting some much needed and deserved snuggles. He loves nothing more than to be cuddled for hours. Since his surgery, Kodi shakes a lot. Because he had to be shaved for his surgery, he does not have much hair on his neck and torso. We have been keeping him warm by keeping our fireplace warming his room when we are there and by him wearing a sweater. He is quite handsome in his pumpkin sweater! Kodi will be adopted out after he is reevaluated in several months. Because his new family will have to help him remain healthy by being careful, we ask that there not be any children in the home and any other pets will need to be 6lbs or under. This will help ensure that the surgery he underwent to stabilize the fracture in his neck continues to keep him pain free. Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support for little Kodi.

Update 11/23/13: Kodi is home now after his surgery. He had a very restless night last night at home. They were able to successfully place 4 pins in his vertebrae to stabilize his spine. They took bone marrow from his right shoulder and placed it around the pins. The hope is that the bone marrow along with the special cement they used will help encourage bone growth and help prevent any slipping of the pins. He is rather uncomfortable, but I am doing my best to make sure we keep ahead of his pain and snuggle with him as long as he wants to be close. Although the surgery is being viewed as a success, Kodi has a long road ahead of him while his neck heals and more bone is grown. He will return to the vet mid January for another CT to check how he is healing. To answer some questions, yes, Kodi will be available for adoption as soon as the vet says he is good to go. Right now, the surgeon would like him to stay with me for approximately 12 weeks. The perfect home for him will be one where he is the only dog or where the other dog is under 5 lbs also. To help ensure that Kodi remains healthy, his new family should help prevent him from jumping off of the couch, bed, or chairs and because of his size. Kodi would do best in a home that does not have children. Kodi should always be considered a fragile dog to ensure that the surgery remains a success. Thank you for your continued support for Kodi - he is a sweetheart who has not had the best life so far. It is our hope with your support that Kodi's future will be pain-free and full of love.

Update 11/08/13: Kodi came home on Tuesday with a cast on his neck to ensure stabilization. The hope is that the cast will allow the inflammation around his spinal chord to lesson and also give him some much needed time for his bones to age and become firmer. With hope, Kodi will have surgery on November 20th to insert pins to help to permanently stabilize his neck. Kodi probably always be "fragile", but with surgery, he has more of a chance of living out a pain-free life. Please keep Kodi in your thoughts.

Update 11/04/13: Kodi had a rough night last night as the UW vet school in Madison, WI tried to keep his pain down. Today, Kodi had a CT scan where we learned that Kodi does have Atlantoaxial luxation in C1/C2. Because he is young, the surgeons are wanting to give him a few weeks before surgery. To help minimize the pain and stabilize his neck, he will be fitted with a cast from his chin down his chest. He will have to remain in the cast until the surgeons feel he is ready for surgery. With luck, Kodi will come home tomorrow morning to spend 2-3 weeks here at home before he returns to be evaluated. The thinking is that he will rest, eat, and heal better if he is in his own bed. I wasn't able to see him today as they kept him quite sedated for the CT scan and to be sure the cast fit him properly. Thank you for your help and prayers for this special little guy. He has a rough road ahead of him, but he is in good hands.

Update 09/30/13: Hi Everybody - Kodi here. Well, guess what?? I CAN walk now without falling over! My FM mom says I'm not even very tipsy anymore. I'm getting pretty tired of staying in a really small area, but I know that I need it to get better so I just wait patiently for someone to pick me up.

FM- Kodi has really improved over the last few weeks. The medicine and confinement has allowed the fractures in his spine time to heal. Kodi will see a neurologist in a few weeks for more xrays and then we will have a better idea about his future. His progress has been amazing so far so I expect a great report from neurology. In spite of all he has been through, he remains a very sweet little guy. He is just starting to discover how much fun toys are and loves to bury bones in his blankets and dig them up for later! If you are interested in adopting little Kodi, please fill out an application and I will get back to you soon. The perfect home for Kodi does not have any children under the age of 12 and has someone that will be home a lot during the day with him. Kodi does not need a fence however, he would love one to be free to run. Oh, and no electronic fencing for our little man. Thanks for reading!

Update 09/10/13: Many people have contacted me regarding Kodi so I thought I would add some additional information: Yes, Kodi will be adopted out as soon as he is medically ready to go. I will know more in 2 weeks. Because he was stepped on and almost didn't make it, we are looking for a home without big dogs, no children under 12 and one that preferably has someone home frequently for him. Please understand that it is likely that he will be fragile for some time so we are trying to find a home for him that will give him every chance possible to heal and be a normal happy little puppy. Thanks for understanding!

Initial Bio 9/9/13 : Meet Kodi - a 9 month old 3lb male Morkie....with a tail! He is the sweetest little thing! Kodi has had a very rough beginning in his short life. His first owner had larger dogs who, it is presumed, stepped on poor little Kodi. He was taken to the vet who diagnosed him with tetraparesis (he wasn't able to use any of his legs), but without xrays was sent home with pain meds and after a month was taken in by a different family - his guardian angels - who helped give him some healing time and the attention he needed. These angels contacted rescue after a short time because they knew we would be able to help little Kodi. They cared for him for 2 weeks and allowed him time to begin healing and walking again. When Kodi came to rescue he was walking, but it was clear that there was something wrong. After several xrays and consultations, the vets found that there was an issue with the disc spaces on L5-6 and L6-7 in his spine. These discs are basically right above his shoulder blades. It was also discovered that he has a bone spur/fracture off of C4 on his cervical spine..... What does all this mean for little Kodi? Well, he needs strict confinement and anti-inflammatory medicine for 2 weeks to see if he can continue to heal on his own. If he does not get better, Kodi will need surgery.

Kodi is very week on his right side and will wobble when he walks. We are hopeful that this will improve with time as Kodi has come so far in just a few weeks - from not being able to move his legs to walking. He is a fighter! If you can help with his care, we sure appreciate any amount. If not, you can also help by keeping little Kodi in your prayers. Thank you!