Entered:12/10/2016
Status:Rainbow Bridge
Age:10
Color:Liver/White
Weight:47 lbs.
Gender:Altered Male
Location:Fayetteville, WV
Health:UTD, HW-, radiographs indicate metastatic mass in lungs, responding well to medication for diabetes insipidus, continuing meds for protein in urine, mild arthritis being treated with a supplement, treatment for a UTI and anxiety complete, compromised hearing and vision
Temperament:Good with adults, unknown with children, good with other dogs, unknown with cats
Update 05/19/2017: “Then one evening last week, he dumbfounded her as he came walking into the living room on his own, sniffed and looked around for a minute and opted to lay down at her feet. That simple act almost brought tears…a real mixed bag of joy and sadness.“
Last week’s celebration of improved health has given way to discovery of a problem that will likely take Reggie’s life in a short time. With his diabetes insipidus under control, attention turned to an emerging cough. It didn’t respond to cough tabs or antibiotics, so radiographs were done. Sadly, they indicated “almost certainly a metastatic mass in his chest.” While incurable, meds can ease his way as this disease progresses and have been started as part of hospice care. Reg will remain with his MAESSR family where he is well-settled. As a permanent foster he can be doted on and indulged for as long as he is comfortable. When the Bridge calls, he will pass to freedom from worldly ailments.
Reg’s foster family feels deep disappointment for him. His family has felt at times that he is a dog who hadn’t known much love in his life. In his foster home he accepted restriction easily before his diabetes insipidus was brought under control. He patiently spent a lot of time with one of the resident dogs and less time with his people. As soon as the diabetes insipidus responded to meds, his foster mom began inviting him into the living room daily. At first, she had to lead him in and didn’t insist he stay. Predictably, he would retreat to his safe zone quickly. Then one evening last week, he dumbfounded her as he came walking into the living room on his own, sniffed and looked around for a minute and opted to lay down at her feet. That simple act almost brought tears…a real mixed bag of joy and sadness.
Please keep Reggie in your best thoughts as he celebrates past gains and completes his story with the love and care every good boy deserves…
Update 05/14/2017: “What a break-through for Reg!“
Central diabetes insipidus…indeed, a long name for a disorder that is rare in dogs. It affects their water metabolism which leads to ravenous thirst, frenzied drinking and the need to urinate very frequently. Efforts to resolve Reggie’s accidents in his home with a behavioral approach failed, so he revisited his vet in recent weeks for a deeper look at medical causes. After additional tests, Reg started a trial of medication and experienced an awesome but not uncommon turnaround in the first 24 hours. He now has access, 24/7, to a water bowl that is replenished twice daily and goes out on a normal frequency. He’s had one accident in 11 days…and that was due to human failure. He’s noticeably more relaxed and doesn’t miss belly bands. He will need treatment for life in the form of daily meds. CDI isn’t curable but it is treatable when recognized. What a break-through for Reg!
Update 04/02/2017: “Beyond managing Reggie’s water intake, he is a dog without special needs.”
With additional time in foster care, Reggie’s had the chance to really settle and remains a steady, gentle house guest. Despite compromised hearing, he seems better tuned to his foster mom’s voice now and notices when she speaks to him in a normal voice. That doesn’t always mean he will respond to requests, but it’s heartening that he’s increasingly tuned to those around him.
He’s also gained understanding that helps with compromised vision. His nose works fine and tells him when a treat is being offered, but his eyes may not accurately tell him how far the treat is from his nose. The result was serious snatching when he first arrived; while he still benefits from thoughtful offers, he rarely gets “fingers” with treats anymore…J). He continues to do steps daily but doesn’t seem quite as spry as in mid-winter, so he’s switching to a different supplement. There are many good ones out there; the hope is that a different choice may bump up the benefit for him.
What keeps Reggie in foster care is continuing work toward consistency with his housetraining. His foster family jokingly thinks of him as “the dog who can’t hold his water!” That said, when treatment for a UTI and the addition of an anxiety supplement rendered no gains, a serious look at his drinking habits led to further medical testing. Those results largely ruled out underlying medical conditions and pointed toward a behavioral problem. Basic housetraining was revisited and a new medication was added. Also, measuring Reggie’s water supply and putting it in his water bowl on a schedule began. While all-together a bit of an unusual strategy, these steps have led to significant improvement for Reggie. Fingers crossed for yet more gains.
Beyond managing Reggie’s water intake, he is a dog without special needs. He continues to dance for his dinner, making meal prep a delight for his foster family. Though normally pretty laid back, he twirls and leaps around the kitchen as finishing touches are added to his bowl. He’s not graceful but he’s endearing. If you have a serious heart for seniors or a senior dog in need of a companion, follow this gent. He’s a good boy…
Update 02/15/2017: “He dances with exuberance for breakfast and dinner.”
Reggie is a good boy. He’s a little more complicated than his foster family anticipated when he arrived but time to get better acquainted and to do additional vetting has been well-spent. A urinary study indicated that the protein in his urine is trending down. This was good news! He will need to continue the med to manage this until a retest in 6 months; if his trend continues, that med may no longer be necessary…fingers crossed. His med to help with mild arthritis has been replaced with a supplement for joint support which seems to be working equally as well for him. Negotiating half a flight of stairs to and from his pit stop area is part of daily activity but he is content to live on the first floor of his home, rather than take on the stairwell to the second floor.
Some accidents in the house have also been addressed. Reggie was treated for a UTI, in case a low grade infection was at play. An inexpensive supplement was started to assist with anxiety which can also lead to accidents. In the meantime, Reggie uses a belly band to manage his output. It’s an aid he’s comfortable with wearing many hours a day. Since he’s typically dry through an 8-hour night, he doesn’t wear it to bed.
Mealtime is Reggie’s favorite time of day. He dances with exuberance for breakfast and dinner. He’s transitioned completely to a kibble-based diet which he chows down, digests well and eliminates easily. Treats are minimal as he’s looking to drop a couple of pounds but he loves any coming his way.
There’s progress with Reggie’s acceptance of crating indoors. Since that’s where all meals are served, he goes in eagerly when his food bowl is filled. He’s increased patience with staying a little longer after the bowl is emptied and only barks his protest now.
Reggie continues to shine through his kindness to the fragile 13-year old resident Springer in his foster home. The two dogs share much time in the gated kitchen together. It’s not unusual to see Reggie gently groom the night sleeps from the eyes of his canine companion. A younger ESS in his home is less cordial to Reggie; Reg simply ignores that one.
Certainly Reggie continues to be a work in progress. Considering the health issues and changes for him in this last year, his foster family feels he’s doing remarkably well. A little more time to work through his current challenges should enable his readiness for an adopting family of his own…one who will enjoy a peaceful companion to walk with and dote on. If you’re looking for a great senior, Reggie is worth the wait. News to come as he makes further gains…
Original: “He let the elder dog drape himself right over Reggie’s midriff, where he fell soundly asleep. Without as much as a wrinkled nose, Reggie looked up as if to assure ‘no problem here’…priceless!”
Reggie is one lucky dog. When he landed with another rescue group almost a year ago, he had significant health problems that needed immediate attention. Among those were heartworm disease, painful dental decline and noticeably poor skin. Poor boy…but fortunate to receive help, he resolved one problem after another. The outcome is what might be fairly called a transformed Springer. Now heartworm negative, Reggie’s dental work is complete and he has clear skin under a soft, healthy coat.
A low dose of medication to assist with arthritis was started and is beneficial. Indoors on slick floors Reggie may misstep but outdoors, his gait consistently looks great for a young-at-heart senior. He also is maintained on a med to manage findings from earlier bloodwork of protein in his urine. Some compromise of depth perception or vision in low light situations is suspected but Reggie doesn’t seem to notice. Hearing loss? That may be age-related too but is easily accommodated by his family. Little else is left but to find him a family, so he will never fall victim to neglect again. When asked if MAESSR could help with this, the answer was “yes!”
Since arriving from Kentucky, Reggie has settled in well. He shares a home with 3 resident Springers…2 gentle, elderly loves and one mid-age fellow that worries a little about sharing his space. Reggie doesn’t play with them or seek their attention but moves peacefully among them. If challenged over space by the grump, Reggie returns a grumble and then walks away. When the eldest, blind and deaf resident bumps into him, Reggie isn’t alarmed; he diplomatically steps aside.
After a few days of uncertainty, Reggie began to notice and trust his foster mom. He accepts all touch and walks nicely on a leash now. He’s always ready to make a trip to the mailbox and to do a loop around the farmette. When off leash outdoors, he will work the perimeter of the fenced ½ acre but hasn’t gone brush popping…yet.
Overall Reggie is a quiet and undemanding guest who in true Springer-fashion prefers to have access to his people. He doesn’t bother people-things or counter-surf. Much of the time he has run-of-the house. He doesn’t signal when it’s time to go out for a pit stop; he’s successful with opportunities every 4-5 hours and allows his family an 8-hour night. The one predictable time that Reggie will bark is when it’s time to come in after a pit stop; no need to dally around outside once duty is done!
Crating is one thing Reggie is working on with his family. Meals are always offered in his crate; while he doesn’t care for the door to close, he will go in to dine. If asked to spend time in a crate, for transport or when his foster mom is away, his protest takes the form of butting his nose into a corner. This has resulted in a tender nose. Fortunately, his trustworthiness in the gated kitchen has reduced crating to a minimum but his family will continue to work on this, toward safe travel in the family truck. Alternately, he has traveled well in the back seat of an SUV.
Reggie’s previous foster family had worked with him through some of his health issues and felt that a raw diet was key to his improvement. They sent generous supplies with him which have been used to slowly transition him to a tried and true kibble that brings consistently good results for fosters in his current home. So far, so good. He gobbles the slowly changing blend, finishes every bite, and digests it well. While there are benefits to raw diets, it’s hoped that Reggie will thrive on a kibble-based menu. More to come on this…
Reggie has already shared in some endearing moments with his new foster family. On Day 2 he accepted an invitation to nap mid-afternoon, right beside his foster mom on her bed; that just rarely happens so soon as Day 2. He’ll share the easy chair in the evenings when invited…good boy!! The remainder of the time he is content to pick whichever dog basket or bed is free. Another touching moment was when he settled on a dog bed in the kitchen, the one usually occupied by the eldest Springer. When the eldest returned, Reggie made no effort to move. He let the elder dog drape himself right over Reggie’s midriff, where he fell soundly asleep. Without as much as a wrinkled nose, Reggie looked up as if to assure “no problem here”…priceless!
All in all, Reggie is one nice boy. He’s quite laid back, except as mealtime approaches. Then he gets excited. He’ll benefit from a family who will walk with him and dote on him daily. A family with someone home much of the time would be much to his liking. Check back for added news. When this fellow’s ready, he won’t take long to match.