CHUCK

Chuck is a neutered male Poodle/Minature Schnauzer mix
Chuck was taken to a local Akron Ohio Vet Clinic because he presented with illness
His owners decided to euthanize Chuck rather than treat his illness
Since Chuck is only a year old and the most loving little darling you've ever met
the clinic decided to contact rescue to find help for Chuck and save his life
Since Chuck is deaf C.O.D.A was contacted to help save Chuck's life


Chuck arrived at C.O.D.A. on Sept 11th 2006
Chuck was immediately taken to see our Veterinarian Dr. Brian since it was reported
that in addition to Chuck being deaf he was also being medicated with insulin injections
Reportedly Chuck was diagnosed with pancreatitis while at the Vet clinic in Akron
Upon picking Chuck up we immediately noticed that Chuck had a severe leg problem
in his left hind leg

Dr. Brian examined Chuck's leg and stated that Chuck's leg has suffered a crushing fracture
which was never properly set or operated on at the time of the injury
(Something very heavy CRUSHED Chuck's leg bones)
From the Veterinary records sent along with Chuck it appears that this injury initially occured
when Chuck was a mere puppy weighing in at 2.3 lbs in early 2005
Chucks leg is set in a very deformed angle near the knee/hip area of his left rear leg
Chuck cannot put his leg down when walking. His leg is very deformed and may not be repairable

Chucks leg injury doesn't slow him down much though as he walks up and down the steps to go out to potty
and he walks around well but of course all with some difficulty due to the untreated breaks in his leg Chuck has learned
to balance and get along in life with the use of only 3 of his legs
Dr. Brian indicated that the tendons around the injury had formed in a tight grip around the fractured bones
which is what prevents Chuck from being able to fully extend his leg and when he walks or stands he holds that leg
up unable to straighten his leg out.

( Chuck investigating the play area upon arrival)
*Chucks injured rear leg is on the right rear side you can see how he holds it up*

Dr. Brian reviewed the insulin injection and glucose tests data on the Vet records sent along with Chuck
The records didn't make a lot of sense and weren't consistent with closely monitored testing so Dr. Brian
took a base glucose reading ( which was in the normal range)
and told us to let Chuck eat what he wants his first evening here at C.O.D.A.
and then to bring Chuck in first thing in the morning to check his glucose levels again so we can figure out
what is going on with Chuck's need or lack of need for insulin
So Chuck will see Dr. Brian first thing in the morning Sept 12th 2006

Chuck was pretty confused upon arrival but quickly calmed down and started relaxing
after meeting Shirley when arriving at C.O.D.A.'s main facility
Shirley showed him around the play and potty area's
Shirley was being a real camera hog when we were trying to get photo's of Chuck for his webpage:)

( Shirley hogging the camera. See Chuck way back there in the background?)

Chuck ate well for us this evening and ate a few dog biscuits in addition to his evening meal
We'll have more information about Chuck's possible diabetic issues in the morning
Check back for updates on Chuck soon
Chuck has definately indicated he is fully housebroken and crys to go out to potty
Chuck has a very sweet, trusting, lovable personality and loves to be petted and cuddled
Chuck is fine with cats and other dogs and has shown no type of aggression whatsoever
UPDATE
9/12/06
Chucks blood glucose was in the 480 reading range this morning. Dr. Brian started
Chuck on 4 units of insulin at 9 am ( once a day) for the next few days
Chuck will be seeing Dr. Brian again 9/15/06 for another blood glucose test
Chuck was a very good boy for his first insulin shot here at C.O.D.A.
Chuck continues to eat well and is in great spirits.
Chuck's Veterinary Bills have totalled $66.00 to date.

9/15/06
Dr. Brian checked Chuck's glucose levels at 4pm today and they were very low
So Dr. Brian has reduced Chucks insulin to 3 units per day
Chuck has to be back again on tuesday at 4 p.m. for another blood glucose test
Todays Vet Bill $33.00


9/18/06
Chuck's glucose test showed he appears to be doing well at 3 units of insulin a day.
So he will remain on the 3 units for the next week until re-testing
Chuck's fecal test showed no parasites
Todays Vet Bill $ 46
9/22/06
Chuck seems to be feeling much better and is enjoying walking around outside more now and not sleeping all day
like he did the first few days after arriving at CODA.
Chuck continues to eat well and his stool is nice and firm now
Chuck is no longer having problems with involuntary urinary leakage the past few days
Chuck is housebroken but was having problems with involuntary leakage overnight
Dr. Brian tested Chucks glucose today and since Chuck has gained 4 lbs he has now been raised back to
4 units per day for the next few days until his next glucose test
Today's Vet Bill $19.00
10/03/06
Chucks blood glucose was tested today and he is doing well at 4 units
We needed to purchase insulin for Chuck today at a cost of $36 for a bottle since his first bottle is almost empty

Todays' Vet Bill Total $60


Special Thanks to Julia and Tom Burke of Chicago IL for sending donations to
cover Chuck's medical bills to date

We also discussed Chuck's leg injury further with Dr. Brian and asked if he thought an orthopedic specialist
could repair Chuck's leg.
Dr. Brian said the first step would be to have Chuck sedated and have several angles of xrays taken
so that we can take those to the Orthopedic Specialist
( which would be less costly than having Chuck sedated and xrayed at the Orthopedic Specialists office)
Dr. Brian estimated the costs as follows to have Chucks damaged leg xrayed
Sedation for xrays $70
Xrays -several angles of inner and outer leg/knee/hip area on Chucks damaged leg
$200-$300

UPDATE 12/18/06
Chuck was sedated this morning and xrays were taken of his injured leg and his hips
We will have the orthopedic specialist examine the xrays to see if Chuck's leg can be repaired.
Dr. Brian showed us how Chuck's knee has been turned outward and his leg appears to be dislocated from his hip.
It's an old injury so Dr. Brian suggested we have Dr. Vogt examine the xrays to get his opinion on repairing Chucks leg.
Thanks to Julia and Tom Burke for their $200 donation to cover the expenses of sedation and xrays for Chuck

UPDATE 1/4/07
Dr. Vogt examined Chucks xrays today and we scheduled an appointment for Chuck for 1/30/07 for Dr. Vogt
to examine Chucks damaged leg in person. Dr. Vogt stated that in addition to Chucks knee being rotated 180 degrees
from where it should be located he also has a luxated patella
Dr. Vogt felt that he would need to cut into Chucks leg bone in order to repair his leg and the repair may not give him
full functionality but we'll know more once he examines Chuck's leg in person
1/30/07
Chuck was examined by Dr. Vogt today and surgery is not a good option for Chuck's leg
Dr. Vogt feels the problems with Chuck's leg were the result of a birth defect and the injured leg is shorter than his good back leg.
Chuck leg would have to be cut in two places through his bones and his kneecap would have to be removed and then
rebuilt where it should be located.
With Chuck being a diabetic he would have a very difficult time recovering and dealing with infections and even if everything went
perfectly Dr. Vogt does not believe that Chuck would have a good prognosis for having functional use of the deformed leg post surgery

Dr. Vogt thought amputation might be the better option to enable Chuck to be able to move with better balance
since he has been unable to use the deformed leg since birth
But amputation isn't necessary as the blood flow is good through Chucks deformed leg so not causing Chuck any immediate problems
We have decided that since Chuck gets along really well running and playing and walking up and down steps with his deformed leg in tow
that we will not risk infection due to surgery and will not amputate his leg
Amputation may become necessary as Chuck ages and gets older if he starts having a hard time balancing with his deformed leg
So Dr. Brian medically released Chuck for adoption

If you are interested in giving Chuck a loving home please fill out an adoption application
ADOPTION APPLICATION

Chuck's Adoption Fee $250

(ADOPTION PENDING)

IF YOU CAN HELP US DEFRAY THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SAVING CHUCK
PLEASE CLICK ON THE DONATION BUTTON BELOW

If you can help us to defray the costs of saving Chuck
please click on the button below:

 

Send check or money order to:

CODA
P.O. Box 44092
Brooklyn, Ohio 44144