Dog Update

Jun 26 2021

Postcard from Shaun – Holiday Day 1

Postcard from Shaun on Day one of his Holidays

Dear All,

Arrived safe and sound at my seaside holiday destination. Made myself at home by weeing on the floor in the first five minutes, now it really is home. Looking forward to a quiet and relaxing time with this short break after all the excitement of the Shelter. Weather is lovely, lunch was delicious and I'm now sleeping it off. Take care!

Love, Shaun

Shaun on his holidays

Shaun checking out the lawn

Shaun and Corri

Shaun relaxing

Shaun and Corri

Shaun and his lunch

Shaun's post-lunch coma

Jun 23 2021

Katie recovers from surgery

Katie recovering from surgery

Katie is in Quarantine, recovering from surgery to remove a painful infected boil from her right shoulder.

Katie in recovery

Despite her woes, she's still lively and happy to see anyone come to her cage, even with this "cone of shame" around her neck to make sure she doesn't bite at her healing wound!

Please keep Katie in your thoughts and follow this link to read Katie's story on her Profile Page.

Katie's scar after surgery to remove a boil

Jun 23 2021

Ruby suffering from Distemper

Poor Ruby is showing some of the neurological signs of distemper, so we've moved her into Quarantine for close observation and further medication.
She is fully vaccinated and otherwise healthy so we are hoping that it will just be a mild infection and she will fight it.

Ruby with distemper

The dog's immune system is the only defence against Distemper. Vaccinated dogs can still get the virus but it is often much milder and the immune system can kill it. They can recover at any stage, but unvaccinated dogs , sick dogs and puppies are the most vulnerable and often die from the disease.

You can find out more about Distemper here.
If you own a dog, please get them vaccinated. Distemper is now rife in Dumaguete - that's how it arrived in our Sanctuary.

Please keep Ruby in your thoughts and follow this link to read Ruby's story on her Profile Page.

Jun 21 2021

Biscuit Adopted!

Biscuit adopted

Adoption success story! A few weeks ago, Alix and Matty who have adopted 3 of our dogs, found a little puppy with bad mange and open sores. Because of the distemper outbreak at the Sanctuary we couldn't take him in so they decided to foster him and treat him at home. They called him biscuit!
When Eren messaged us looking for a puppy we couldn't let her take one of the Sanctuary pups as it was too risky for her other dog so we told her about Biscuit. She fell in love with him from his pictures and adopted him on Saturday.

Biscuit recovering

Biscuit when rescued

Jun 16 2021

Shaggy

Abandoned by his owners who returned to Manila, Shaggy, as his reporter named him, was picked up on 29 April 2021.

As well as being left behind, he also had an infection which we treated with antibiotics.

He was antisocial, bordering on aggressive when he arrived and was clearly disorientated and confused as to what had happened to him.

Shaggy before Rescue

His coat was so matted, we had to take the clippers to him, and after a bath, and after receiving his vaccinations and getting neutered, he spent a few days in Quarantine adapting to his new surroundings.

He took a few days to adjust, and Doc Pierre was one of the first to make friends.

His bestie Miles was in Quarantine at the same time, and they helped eachother become more sociable with humans and the other dogs.

In early June, we started to notice he was not his usual self. He had been rescued just before the first few Sanctuary dogs started to display signs of Canine Distemper bought in from outside the Sanctuary (find out more here), and he was displaying some early signs of the virus.

Very quickly, the neurological aspects of Distemper became apparent, with twitching muscle spasms in his head, the loss of the use of his back legs, and regular seizures. We took him into the office for close observation, put him on an IV as he had stopped eating and drinking, and send blood samples to the clinic for more information, as we suspected a secondary problem. Sure enough, he was also suffering from acute Pancreatitis, but with the help of the IV and the magic of local honey to help his blood sugar levels, he seemed to be shaking off the Pancreatitis.

Shaggy's Honey and Rina

Shaggy and Rina

Shaggy and Pati

Shaggy being cared for in the office

One of our volunteers Pati visited him often, hoping some Reiki healing would help, and we took shifts holding him through the day, which seemed to calm him, and spending the night sleeping in the office to watch over him, willing him to pull through. His medication was helping with the pain, and on 15 June, he seemed to rally, opening his eyes and swallowing liquid from a syringe. We hoped that these were the first signs of a recovery, but sadly, Shaggy passed away the following afternoon, 16 June 2021.

Shaggy

We gave him the very best care and every possible medication. Our vets tried everything and we stayed with him pretty much 24 / 7 over the last few days. The distemper had caused irreversible brain damage and there really was nothing more we could have done. Its a cliche to say that he was loved - but it is so very true. Shaggy even had a home waiting for him. Lito, the person who rescued him had found him a home with his sister in Manila. We were just about to organise transport when he got sick.

Its so very hard to love these souls and then to watch them go - but we have to focus on the joy that they brought to us and us to them.