Ella's newspaper debut......more updates to follow...

Click the image to see it in larger size


Ella's first vet visit -- September 21

Ella weighs only 3.08 lbs at 5.5 weeks of age
She is underweight and dehydrated
She has myositis in that stump -- has likely had a terrible infection for several weeks

Ella does not have a fever, which amazed her vet. This is very good news -- shows she is strong and a fighter. She SHOULD have a fever given how infected her stump is.
Ella is alert, bright, feisty -- all good signs

So first things first we are waiting on her blood results. If her liver or kidneys have been affected by the infection we may not be able to save her depending on the extent of the damage -- we will have to make that decision once we have her blood work back.

Good news is her urine sample showed that she is concentrating her urine well -- indicated proper kidney function.

Her urine this morning was milky, probably pus, so a bladder infection secondary to the infection in her stump is likely.

So, we have started her on antibiotics. I have some recovery food to add to her Orijen to get weight on her. I am to continue with salt water soaks twice daily....and we will make decisions once her blood results are back.

We will amputate the stump if the infection has not already spread to her organs. If we are able to amputate, we will need to get her weight up a bit first and clear the infection. Kim believes she can save the shoulder and just remove the leg bones -- but it is difficult to say for sure given how enlarged her stump is at the moment.

So, little Ella needs some positive thoughts. I hope we got to her in time. If the BYB had just taken her to a vet the infection could have been prevented. Instead she has a life threatening infection that may have progressed beyond the point of us being able to save her.

Update: Sept 22nd

Good news, good news!

Ella's bloodwork shows that her organs have not been terribly compromised! The infection had not yet spread through her body.

She does have a nasty UTI -- caused by ecoli. Likely entering via the wound on her stump. Hopefully we will be able to clear it with one round of antibiotics.

Her serum protein levels are low -- which would be caused by her little body fighting the infections. We can not safely amputate the stump until her protein levels rise, since her ability to heal after surgery would be too compromised. The vet figures we will be at least 2 weeks getting her levels back up, so we will recheck at that time.

One kidney enzyme was elevated, but that would be due to dehydration, and should sort out now that she is getting adequate fluids.

The challenge will be getting the stump to dry up over the next two weeks, and keeping her from re-injuring it.

This is all good news.

Thank you everyone who offered help with Liam's transport.

Arrangements have been made for his trip to Ohio thanks to the generosity of a Newf lover who just happens to be driving from Toronto to Ohio this weekend. Liam is one lucky guy who gets to hitch a ride to his new home.

Thank you!

We are trying to fill in a few remaining legs of a rescue transport for this Sunday, Sept 13 to help get a very special newf from Ontario, down to his new home in Ohio.

Here is the Proposed transport route for Liam. Here's the map with each leg broken down, showing roads, etc. We could break legs down further to accommodate drivers that can only fit in a shorter leg, but we are trying to keep this as stress free as possible for our special boy. He's been through a lot.


Times need to be verified. I am allowing 15 minutes for a potty break, drink and chin scratches between legs -- and am asking drivers to be at their pick-up location 15 minutes before scheduled driving time.


Sunday, Sept 13 -- if you know anyone who can help with a leg please have them contact me at blacknewfs@hotmail.com

A) 830 am -- 1130
Lindsay, ON to Niagara Falls, ON
Covered

B) 1145 -- 1
*Meet on Canadian Side of border preferably*
Niagara Fall, ON - West Seneca, NY
NEEDED

C) 115 - 245
West Seneca, NY -- Erie, PA
NEEDED

D) 300 - 515
Erie, PA - Akron, OH
Covered

E) 530 - 730
Akron, OH -- Zanesville
NEEDED

Thanks for any help you can offer to get Liam to his new life!

We have an URGENT need for a short or long term foster home for a male newf.

This boy has loads of potential and needs a home with a handler who is skilled at working with dominant dogs and who is able to meet his high energy needs. This boy is an escape artist so needs a secure location. We are currently working with a behaviourist with this boy and will provide his foster/adoptive family with extensive info regarding handling skills, etc.

He should not be housed with other male dogs and is not suited to a home with children.

Our 2010 calendars will be ready soon! Stay posted for details!

We are searching for Artists!

See us at HART's 3rd annual Woof Walk in Bancroft on October 4 in Millenium Park! Lots of entertainment and great activities for the whole family. We will have some of our Newfs attending, so be sure to drop by for a visit!

We will also have our 2009 rescue calendars ready to go by then so be sure to pick up your copy while there. Many of you have been emailing asking about them and we will be ready for online orders in early October. We don't have a preview ready quite yet, but it promises to be another collection of beautiful Newfs (and one ridiculous Basset Hound!) Check back often for updates!