Sophie 4

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Updated 11/27/06:

Sophie has experienced a set-back. In mid-November her foster mother took a specimen to the vet because she suspected an urinary tract infection. Her suspicion proved correct and Sophie started on antibiotics. Her spaying incision was still healing but looked great. A few days later, when Sophie got up from sitting next to her foster mother, she left a small pool of blood. The next six hours involved trips to two different veterinary hospitals and the identification of a suspicious shadow on an ultrasound. Since the bleeding had stopped and Sophie appeared in no distress, the decision was made to wait a few days until when the regular radiologist was available to do a more complete ultrasound.

When Sophie had her second ultrasound, it was definitely abnormal and the radiologist determined that the most-likely explanation for what he was seeing was one of three things. Exploratory surgery would be necessary. The day after Thanksgiving Sophie went through surgery like a champ. It turned out that the radiologist was correct on all three counts………an abnormal adhesion of organs, an abscess pocket, and an infection were all found. Two vets who performed the surgery hadn’t seen anything like this before. They separated and corrected the position of vital internal organs and took tissue samples for further testing. At this point four different vets are perplexed and can’t explain what they’re seeing.

Sophie is back home and continuing life as normal. She is on antibiotics and a pain medication, but you can’t keep a springer down. Sophie had just started to physically play with the resident dogs before things took this turn and she wants to wrestle with them again.

Shortly Sophie will go back for a check-up. Through it all, everyone who meets her says what a sweet, wonderful girl she is. She has taken all of the poking and prodding from strangers like a champ……….like the wonderfully tempered springer that she is. Keep this girl and her family in your thoughts. Updates will be added as reports come in…………….

Original: Sophie is one of 5 springers who were surrendered to rescue by a breeder when she decided to downsize her breeding program. The breeder owned Sophie for about 2 years and while with her, Sophie had had puppies. With her puppy raising days now behind her, Sophie remains in excellent health with only one minor and short term vetting need. She is on an antibiotic for a urinary tract infection and should complete that in 2 weeks.

It seems as if Sophie is a dog who has not yet seen much of the world. She is very sweet but is also a very timid girl when it comes to new people and new situations. That said, she does have a deep bark if strangers come into her yard. In her foster home, she is adapting well to being an indoor dog and is warming up to the new humans in her life. As she gains confidence, she loves to give little kisses and hugs to those around her. There is an 8 year old boy in her foster home whose company she enjoys, though some of his antics are a bit scary to her at times. Being a very dog-savy youngster, he is helping Sophie grow into her widening world.

Sophie is currently living with three neutered male dogs, ranging in age from 19 months to 14 years, and gets along with everyone. She has lived with cats in the past and it was reported by her owner that she would chase but not hurt them.

Since Sophie had been mostly an outdoor dog, she is working on her house-breaking at this time and making good progress. She walks nicely on a leash when out at night but will pull like a freight train in the daylight when there are fascinating things to check out, like squirrels. She goes absolutely nuts over squirrels!! Since she is still recovering from her spay surgery, her foster parents have not tried her off leash, but that opportunity will come soon.