It all started when we received this note from a fellow Dalmatian lover.

 

December 9, 2009

 

Abel is about 9 years old. He showed up at someone's house and no one ever called about him. He is already neutered. He has arthritis and is currently on Rimadyl. He has lick granulomas on his feet that are getting better. Since he's been on the Rimadyl they aren't hurting as bad so he's not licking as much. He is a very sweet dog and needs a loving family to care for him. He has had advantix applied and been dewormed. The adoption fee on Abel will be only $15.00 due to the fact that he is a senior dog with special needs. Please don't let him have to live at the shelter for long.

 

Puppy Pipeline in GA is willing to transport this dalmatian free of charge to WillingHearts if you are able to take him.

Please contact the owner (Mike) if you have room to help this poor dal.

Thank you, Kathy Kelley

 

December 10, 2009

From: Kathy

 

Robbie,  I contacted many Dalmatian rescues and At this point no one will take in Abel. Do you have any ideas that you can share with me?   The puppy pipeline's truck leaves with a van full of puppies to NYC on Saturday.  On their way to NYC, if you could find room,  they could drop off Abel to you....fully vet checked with vet records  as you know. 

 

Even if you cannot take in Abel....I want to thank you for what you do and you are appreciated.  I do want you to know that I have been involved with adoptions from your shelter.  I drove with Annette to pick up "Shayna" (forget what her name was when she was there) from MA to PA. I have had dalmatians for 18 yrs and if I didn't live in a townhouse......I would adopt Abel but I have too many stairs and it wouldn't be fair to him.....  not to mention the pet rule here and I am at my max.

 

As you know his days are numbered.  You must go through this all the time and I cannot imagine ever getting use to it.

 

Thank you and please share any ideas you have for me to save Abel.

Kathy Kelley 

 

December 9, 2009

From: Puppy Pipeline

 

Rob:

 

I spoke with the shelter yesterday and they told me that no one has even looked at him. Furthermore, it is the desire of the county commissioners to have the shelter "cleaned" out the week before Christmas. In other words, if no one comes forth and if space is still available, they will euthanize him on Friday the 18th. If the shelter encounters a "space" issue, he could be put down sooner.

 

We can pull him today or tomorrow and while I wait for transport arrangements, Puppy Pipeline will board him at our expense and bring him UTD on all shots at a Veterinary Clinic here in the Atlanta area. As you know, we have our own van.

 

Karen said (of Abel) that's he's a sweet submissive dog whose only "Issue" is that he's arthritic. That is being remedied by Rimadayl and he has responded wonderfully. Puppy Pipeline has a policy that all senior dogs will be fully vetted and cared for prior to transport. The dog you will be getting will be "showroom ready" good to go!

 

Let's make this work! We're ready!

Mike Dougherty

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When a vet examined him on 12/11/09 they found urate stones that were starting to cause obstruction and infection was noted.  He had some arthritis and lick granulomas on all 4 feet along with alopecia over the bony prominences of the rear hind legs.  On 12/15/09 Abel had a Cystotomy done.  He was given clavamox, tramadol and metacam  for infection and arthritis.  After a few weeks of being hospitalized he healed from surgery without any complications. 

_______________________________________________________

 

December 16, 2009

From: Puppy Pipeline

 

According to the Vet (Dr. Holly Marinson), the surgery was successful. In fact, it was a good thing we caught the “build up” when we did. He has now been cleaned out and flushed and should, with proper nutrition, be on the rebound for the rest of his natural life.  Personally, I am happy to have been able to play a role in his recovery!

Mike

 

December 20,2009

From: puppypipeline

Saw him on Friday......he is progressing well.......the "sores" are pretty much gone from his feet and he loves where he is (especially his bed!), is always wagging his tail and eating everything that they put in front of him! That sore on his left side is being addressed with topical antibiotics and improves every day.

 

We'll get him up there.....

 

December 27,2009

From: PuppyPipeline

 

I am going to try to get him up there this week.

 

We have a scheduled transport to North Shore Animal League (Long Island) going up there (on Tuesday evening - Weds. morning) and, if he can ride in front cab with our driver, we could schedule a Weds arrival, time TBD.

 

If that's not possible, If I have to, I'll put him in my backseat and take him up there in the car. 

 

Not to worry, he's doing fine at Vets, eating and sleeping well and is on the "road to a full recovery". As soon as I know, I'll let you guys know. I want him there as much as you do!

Mike

 

 

January 6, 2010 Mike reported that Abel was having difficulty walking.

 

January 10,2010 Abel was transported from GA to PA. He had difficulty getting out of the car. Everyone thought it was most likely due to the long ride.

 

January 10, 2010

From: Puppy Pipeline

 

How's he doing? Hopefully, after a good night's sleep in a real good home he'll be up and about

 

 

January 11, 2010 he was dragging his back legs and could hardly stand.  Abel had xrays of his spine on 1/11/10 which showed inflammation.  He was taken to an orthopedic doctor that day and he stated that Abel could possibly have a spinal tumor, a slipped disc, disc disease, or an embolism.  Abel was kept that night for observation and put on prednisone and famotidine. 

 

January 12, 2010 he showed signs of improvement and was able to come home with the prednisone and famotidine and was restricted to limited activity.  Abel kept showing signs of improvement for a week and then he started having problems walking and standing again.  The doctor had increased his prednisone dose to see if that would help.

 

January 21,2010 he had an acupuncture treatment.  Neither pred or the treatment really helped Abel. 

 

January 26,2009

From: Tammy


Abel is walking a little more but is still falling.  I have a recheck
appointment for him this Thursday morning, I am hoping that maybe he will
decide to do the mylogram earlier than next Wednesday 2/3.  He's such a
sweetie and I want him to be ok.     
WATCH ABEL'S PRE-OP VIDEO

 

 

January 28, 2010 Abel went back to the orthopedic doctor and had a myelogram done followed by a dorsal laminectomy.  The doctor discovered during surgery that his spine was grayish in color, he was very inflamed and during the process of relieving the fluid there was puss on his spinal cord, also there was evidence of eating away of the bone.  Biopsies and a culture sensitivity test were sent away.  Abel came out of surgery well but later that night suffered a seizure, which is a common complication from the myelogram.  He was kept at the hospital until 1/30/10.  Abel came home that night and was sent home with prednisone, baytril and clavamox and was doing well but had some vomiting here and there. 

 

February 1, 2010 the fentanyl patch was removed from his back and he felt cold and seemed pale in color.  He was taken down to the doctors later that night and his temperature was low and he was dehydrated.  The doctor said he was having a reaction from the fentanyl patch.  Abel was kept that night for observation and was given fluids and kept warm.  Also with all the antibiotics upset stomach can occur so he was also put on reglan.

 

February 2, 2010 he was doing well and was allowed to come home.  The culture sensitivity test also came back positive for pseudomonas, which is a urinary tract bacteria/infection. 

 

The doctor feels that Abel had a urinary tract infection long before he was taken to the GA shelter. Left untreated it spread to areas of the body that were inflamed. In his case, his spine.

 

The biopsy results came back negative for a tumor.  No cancer cells were seen.

 

February 11, 2010 went in for a checkup and was given a 30 day course of antibiotics and continue exercise and short daily walks.

 

March 11, 2010 another recheck. Vet is VERY PLEASED with his progress. He is done antibiotics and will be seen in 2 weeks.

 

The vet says full recovery is 6 months. We are hoping that no permanent damage was done and only time will tell if there is.  Everyday Abel and his foster mommy Tammy do physical therapy and he is getting stronger, sitting up, walking on his own. 

 

Abel is very strong willed and his tail never stops wagging.  We will do whatever it takes together to get him stronger and walking again.  WATCH ABEL'S POST-OP VIDEO