A very old stray {The Old Fella Story}

[Dixie_Flyer]

Went camping this weekend at a campground on the lake, had not been there for a few years. Once there I began to walk around looking at the different sites when I noticed a very old dog. He just lay there until I got too close then he got up on three legs and hobbled away. Just judging I would say he is at least 11 years old. Well back to my story. The next afternoon he wanders into camp and just sits there looking. He looked so sad, so the wife got a bowl of our dog's food and put it down for him and he came over and ate. He then walked over to our dog and the two of them sniffed each other over and then they lay down together for the rest of the afternoon. That night he disappeared.
The next morning he was back and was a little more receptive of me. I looked at his injured leg and found that half of his rear foot was gone. It had healed and was not causing any problem except that he was walking on the stub that was left with no foot pad which causes him to limp. His front teeth were gone except for one canine tooth and it looked decayed. His eyes were tired looking and showing his age. He spent the rest of the day just laying around looking for a handout and by afternoon the campground host came around and saw him. I enquired about the dog and was told he had been there for three years and that most of the campers were tolerant of him and gave him food.
So what to do? Do you pick him up and bring him home or do you let nature take it course. He can't harm anyone, he has no teeth and he isn't a nuisance unless you don't like dogs, and no one seems to mind him being there. He is gentle and likes other animals as seen by his interaction with our dog. He still would not let me touch him but he would eat from my hand. Enough said, what would you do???

On June 28th 2008 Old Fella passed away of complications caused by bone cancer. Fella spent almost three years with his new family and became the icon of rescued old stray dogs. He will be greatly missed but his foot prints have been left in our hearts forever.

Now Charlie, the ten year old rescued Golden Lab has come to be a part of the continuing Old Fella story. (*Note, Charlie took his journey to Rainbow Bridge unexpectedly September 30, 2008)Suzie continues to charm her way into our hearts with her antics as she has grown from a puppy into a young lady. Togther they will carry on the Old Fella legacy. Come join us in their daily lives and be a part of the best feel good thread in RV.NET history. The legacy lives on.


HIghways Article Puppy Love

Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue

[Hoops]

Richard, is it against the forum rules to ask if we could send you monies to help with this course of treatment?

Becky

[kokosfriend]

Yeah!! I used acupuncture to help control pain in a lab many years ago that had bone cancer. I have seen it used in dogs with good results. This sounds like they have many approaches that can help him.
Barb

[Dixie_Flyer]

----- Original Message -----
From: K9rehabcenter@aol.com
To: claudedaniels@msn.com
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:09 AM
Subject: Re: Treatment


Dear Mr. Daniels, I would love to help you with your dog. We work with arthritic older dogs every day and have wonderful results. I have several types of therapy available for pain as well as strengthening: acupuncture, chiropractic care, electro-stimulation, laser therapy, water therapy, massage, nutritional supplements, etc. Most dogs need a series of 8-16 treatments (depending on how painful they are -- the treatments run $150-$225). We would need to set up an initial consultation, which is one hour (for $165). We would need to see x-rays of the shoulders, elbows, spine, hips and knees. Also, I would need to look at the latest bloodwork (CBC and chemistry and thyroid). Is your dog exposed to ticks? If yes, we would need a tick panel done. I can do all the bloodwork for you if you don't have that available. We see new patients on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12 noon through 8 pm. You can call Karen and set up the initial appointment (803-649-4965) or you can email me if you have any more questions. Looking forward to hearing from you. Warmest regards, Maria Glinski, DVM


Reply to her email:

I can have Dr. Ford send you a copy of Fella's records and X-rays recently taken of the area giving him so much pain, or I can bring them with me when I come. He has not been exposed to ticks and complete blood work was done not too long ago before his teeth were cleaned. I will call for an appointment.

[Dixie_Flyer]

searchnk9 wrote:
Richard,
Here is Dr. Glinski's website, this center might be just what Fella needs.
http://www.k9rehabcenter.com/index.html

I just sent them an email so let's see how they respond.

[chrisnpat]

Dixie Flyer wrote:

chrisnpat wrote:
Richard our Cocker spaniel has problems throwing up because of gastritis, (sp).

I give her 1 10mgs of pepcid ac original (Vet approved), 20 minutes before she eats. That seems to work for her. Maybe it could help OF, with his stomach issues.

That is what Dr. Ford prescribed for Fella yesterday, so far so good.

Super..........I know it has worked for our Maggie May, some times I give it to her twice a day, because she takes meds every 12 hours, with her food, and that will upset her stomach occasionally.

[searchnk9]

Richard,
Here is Dr. Glinski's website, this center might be just what Fella needs.
http://www.k9rehabcenter.com/index.html

[Dixie_Flyer]

chrisnpat wrote:
Richard our Cocker spaniel has problems throwing up because of gastritis, (sp).

I give her 1 10mgs of pepcid ac original (Vet approved), 20 minutes before she eats. That seems to work for her. Maybe it could help OF, with his stomach issues.

That is what Dr. Ford prescribed for Fella yesterday, so far so good.

[chrisnpat]

Richard our Cocker spaniel has problems throwing up because of gastritis, (sp).

I give her 1 10mgs of pepcid ac original (Vet approved), 20 minutes before she eats. That seems to work for her. Maybe it could help OF, with his stomach issues.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Last night was a good night for Fella as he didn't throw up. The brace on his rear leg is making a difference in his ability to get around. The brace we purchased for the front, well we will have to work on that one. This morning I watched as he stood in the middle of the back yard barking at the neighbors dogs passing by. He is still limping on that front leg but it is not keeping him down.

He does what he wants and takes care of business so I guess that is progress. Its just that he can't walk for any distance without giving out, but that is okay, that is better than not walking at all.

I have to help Sue with a shipment at the warehouse this morning so I need to get moving. So long for now and I will talk with you later.

[Dandy_Dan]

Richard, So glad to hear that Fella is geting along a little better with the brace. In regards to the other thing, maybe he thinks he is restricted and won't try to get up. Hopefully with a little coaxing and help he will at least try it. You know that you love each other and he is willing in the heart. Looking forward to seeing all of you again. Only 13 days till blastoff. Talk to you later. Sorry about the mess the other night.........:(

[Code2High]

This sounds hopeful! What about the Chiro situation? Any chance of finding someone in/around/on the way to and from Branson? I had Andy-roo adjusted... they use a pinger thing on dogs... in the last year of his life, and noticed a big improvement each time.

[Dixie_Flyer]

searchnk9 wrote:
Have you tried Maria Glinski in Aiken? I just found her on a website as an accupuncturist. I didn't realize she was certified. She has helped quite of few sport dogs I know rehab. They do really good work. Folks I know have been able to get appointments in a reasonable amount of time. These are people driving over from Atlanta for rehab work. Good luck to you.

Maria Glinski, DVM
Carolina Animal Rehabilitation & Exercise Center
918 Houndslake Dr
Aiken, SC 29803
(803) 649-4965 (Work Ph)

Now that is close enough to make the trip. Thanks.

[searchnk9]

Have you tried Maria Glinski in Aiken? I just found her on a website as an accupuncturist. I didn't realize she was certified. She has helped quite of few sport dogs I know rehab. They do really good work. Folks I know have been able to get appointments in a reasonable amount of time. These are people driving over from Atlanta for rehab work. Good luck to you.

Maria Glinski, DVM
Carolina Animal Rehabilitation & Exercise Center
918 Houndslake Dr
Aiken, SC 29803
(803) 649-4965 (Work Ph)

[Dixie_Flyer]

Code2High wrote:
I don't know if you've made any progress on the acupuncture issue, but I'd pursue that, and I'd also see about a chiropractor in your area that might treat Fella. His front end may be weak and painful from being out of alignment... which would be caused by such things as his constantly having to favor his bad rear paw, or by any falls he's taken. Acupuncture could also help with the side effects of the treatment, and that would be a helpful thing, I'm sure.

We live in an area that has just caught up to the 70's. By the time we have access to a dog chiropractor or someone close that does acupuncture your grandchildren will be buying tickets for a weekend trip to the moon and back. The closest doctor that I can find that does acupunture is 170 miles away in Stone Mountain, Georgia. She wants him to come once a week for treatment and possibly twice a week in the beginning. Right now that is not a possibility and Columbia, SC is only 90 miles away but no one there will see him until mid June. So we are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

We got the brace for his rear leg today and have seen a big difference. The harness we bought to help him walk and align his shoulder, he refuses to get up with it on. He just lays there and looks at me as if to say,"If you think I am going to walk around with this thing on you have another thought coming."

[Code2High]

I don't know if you've made any progress on the acupuncture issue, but I'd pursue that, and I'd also see about a chiropractor in your area that might treat Fella. His front end may be weak and painful from being out of alignment... which would be caused by such things as his constantly having to favor his bad rear paw, or by any falls he's taken. Acupuncture could also help with the side effects of the treatment, and that would be a helpful thing, I'm sure.