Hello world! This is Lex! I am the newest addition to the Love-A-Bull family!
I was surrendered to rescue by my owner this evening, and now I am in a brand new house, with brand new smells, and brand new things. I am very nervous, but my foster mom keeps telling me everything will be okay. I don't know her enough yet to trust her.
My owners could not get my skin condition under control. They spent thousands at the vet's office, and I was going to the vet almost every month. They really loved me, they just couldn't see me suffer any longer. No one seemed to know what is going on with my skin and coat. All I know is that it hurts, I am itchy, and I want to feel better.
I am on a lot of different medications, but this week I see the Bulldog rescue vet and I hope she can give us some ideas on what to do. My hair is missing in patches, and my skin is sore. I used to have a thick, beautiful white coat, and I was the envy of all of the dogs on the block. Now I am embarassed of how I look, but my foster mom tells me that my new family won't care. She tells me there is a family out there who will be willing to feed me high quality food, give me regular baths, and take me to the vet when I need to. She said they will love me for me. My hair will grow, my skin will heal, and I will have all of my bully confidence back! YAY! I can't wait for that day! I will strut around the neighborhood and show off my new "BOD"...
My care is going to take a lot of money, and a lot of time. I may have to be in rescue for a few months until we can get this under control. (That's ok by me, there are some comfy couches here!) AND, my foster mom even puts JAZZ on for me when she leaves for the day! Pretty cool!
Lex is going to need premium food (Natural Balance Venison and Sweet Potato), antibiotics, and hypo-allergenic treats and biscuits. Any donation made to him will help to cover his food and medication costs.
If you are willing to make a donation towards my care, I will personally blow you a huge wet kiss! Since rescue is a non-profit, the funds are very limited, and my care is going to cost a lot. BUT, let me tell you, I am so worth it.
Now the big question, YES I will be up for an adoption someday! If you are wanting a bully who likes to lay on tile, watch tv, and listen to jazz, I am YOUR GUY! I am approx 6 years old, and I love to be with people... I am also great with other dogs and cats. I have made some nice foster friends here... My foster mommy's name is Karen, so if you would like to discuss anything about me, don't hesitate to drop her a line. (She loves to tell everyone how COOL I am... I know, I know, I know!!!!!)
UPDATE: May 1, 2008
Well, I went to the vet today. Dr. Cindy was so nice! She gave me hypo-allergenic treats for being such a good boy! She drew my blood, and is doing some kind of test on it. My foster mom has to call tomorrow and find out the results. Everyone at the vet's office can't wait to see my progress! More tomorrow.....
Update: May 2, 2008:
The day my blood work came back...
Dr. Cindy called. I have a disease called Iatrogenic Cushings. BIGGEST QUESTION FIRST: YES YES YES I AM TOTALLY TREATABLE AND GOING TO BE JUST FINE! WOO HOO! I was so scared it was something worse.
Unfortunately, this could have all been avoided. I started with allergies. To treat my allergies, I should have been on better food, benadryl and I should have had an allergy panel. My old vet gave me a drug called Prednisone which is a strong steroid. He said it would keep me from itching. Well, I should NOT have been on it for so long. I should have had my blood checked. I should have been weened off it and fed better food. Well, none of that matters now because I am on the road to recovery, and I will heal 100%!
Here is a bit on my disease:
What is Cushing's Syndrome/Disease?
Cushing's syndrome and Cushing's disease in dogs, more accurately known as hyperadrenocorticism is the condition which occurs when the body produces too much hormone, particularly corticosteroids or cortisol.
Iatrogenic Cushing's (non-spontaneous) occurs as the result of over administration of corticosteroids such as prednisone.
What are the Symptoms of Cushing's?
Typical physical symptoms include:
- Increased/excessive drinking (polydipsia or PD)
- Increased/excessive urination (polyuria or PU)
- Increased/excessive appetite (polyphagia)
- enlarged, distended abdomen
- muscle weakness (most commonly in the back legs)
- thinning hair (alopecia--usually evenly distributed) and lack of new hair growth
- thinning skin
- "skull-like" appearance of head
- hyperpigmentation of skin
- calcified skin bumps
- obesity
- chronic or frequent infections (most notably pancreatitis, urinary tract infections, strep throat, and staph infections)
Behavioral symptoms include:
- lethargy/decreased activity
- increased panting
- seeking out of cool sleeping surfaces (bathroom tiles, etc.)
- disturbance of the sleep/wake pattern (increased sleeping during the day, restlessness at night)
- decreased interaction with owners
What we are doing to heal Lex:
Lex is slowly being taken off prednisone. It will probably take a good 2 months to get him off of it safely. After that, we treat his allergies, feed top quality food, and get him to act like a dog again. He will be going on nightly walks, given toys to play with, and lots of love. :-) I truly believe he has not felt good for YEARS. That ends NOW, and he will be just fine!!!!! :-)
Lex LOVES his new premium food. Unfortunately, it is pretty pricy! ANY donation you could give towards his food and special shampoo would be so appreciated! :-)
LEX WOULD LIKE TO PERSONALLY THANK A FEW OF HIS SPONSORS:
(aka his fan club!)
- GLENDA AND JOHN HOLM OF TUCSON, AZ
- "BELLA" AND "BUBBA" OFF FROM MESA, AZ
- SHEILA BLAHETA OF PHOENIX
- JACKI and UMA of Phoenix
- DEBI MILLS OF NORTH CAROLINA (Lex has fans from all over!)
- "Cooper" AIKEN OF WOODSIDE, CALIFORNIA
- Janice Bushard of Chaska, Minnesota (Lex is SO famous nationwide!)
- Dina Carres and her Fiance from AZ
- Kristen Miller of Kansas City, MO
- Shalisa and Geoff Neely of California
- NATURAL BALANCE DOG FOOD for providing Lex's food! (Thanks Kari and TIM!)
We will be posting pictures in the next few weeks to show his progress!
UPDATE: JUNE 10, 2008
LOOK AT MY COAT! My hair is almost all grown back! I am fully off of the steroid pills, and I am being fed an allergy formula food (Natural Balance Venison and Sweet Potato) and I feel great! I have been on nightly walks and I am beginning to play and feel like a dog again!
There are no more cysts between my toes, so I can prance all around and show off my new BOD! I TOLD YOU! All the doggies in the neighborhood are going to be jealous of my shiny coat! I even have so much hair now that I am shedding!
I want to especially thank my foster mom, Ashlee who has taken IMMACULATE care of me for the last few weeks! Ashlee and her husband have taught me how to walk up stairs, and how to enjoy going on walks!
This weekend I will be attending the bulldog meetup at a doggie daycare to show off my new coat! I have one more check up at the vet, and then I am going to be ready to go to my forever home. Isn't it amazing what a good food and a good vet can do? Again, thank you to Dr. Cindy at Alma School Animal Hospital for diagnosing my condition right off the bat. AND, to all of the wonderful people who have donated to my care! I told ya I wouldn't let you down!
My foster mom is still continuing my care. I am going to stay on the Venison food, I also am taking glucosamine for my joints, fish oil for my heart and coat, a teaspoon of coconut oil in my food, and I get bathed 2x a week with a medicated shampoo. My treats have been limited, but when I do, I get Natural Balance Bison and Blueberry! YUM!
UPDATE JUNE 20TH
Lex is officially ready for an adoption! His blood work came back PERFECT and he has personally told me that he is ready to start his new life! Are you that home?
Thank you to Dr. Cindy Junger for saving Lex's life by diagnosing the problem on our FIRST VISIT!