| Charlotte Update
Charlotte's StoryCharlotte was picked up by Memphis Animal Control on September 5, 2004. For some unknown reason the Memphis Animal Shelter listed her as a 12 year old male basset. The Memphis Animal Shelter has a mandatory 4 day hold for strays. We could not adopt this basset from the shelter until September 10th.
Sept. 10, 2004 Clara was there on Friday, September 10, 2004 when the Memphis Animal Shelter opened and adopted this basset. He turned out to be a she upon examination by the shelter vet. The yet unnamed Charlotte received her mandatory shots and heartworm test. She was a very strong positive. In the words of the Memphis Animal Shelter vet, due to her age and condition "she will not survive heartworm treatment". The good news was she had a scar on her stomach below her navel the shelter vet took for a spay scar and Clara could take her home rather than have to leave her for another 3 to 4 days waiting to be spayed. On the way home it was readily apparent that Charlotte stank, big time. A bath was the first order of the day. Her bath helped but her breath would knock you over. Over the weekend, we noticed blood in Charlotte's urine. She was in no way house-trained and as the newest member of our 20+ dog household; we knew something was seriously wrong.
The following Monday Charlotte went for her first visit to out vet, Larry L. Hendricks, D.V.M. at Germantown Animal Hospital. Charlotte spent the next 3 days at our vet. She received a complete blood and urine work up. Had several teeth removed and an ultrasonic scaling. Charlotte came home to us feeling much better but with a very sore mouth and daily medications. Still no wag of her tail but who could blame her with all she had been through. After a large discount Charlotte's bill was $256.50. Sept. 30, 2004 Charlotte appeared to be making progress. She was eating good and adjusting to our pack of 20 dogs. Still not house trained but learning. Then more blood in her urine. A trip to our vet and urinalysis resulted in no resolution as to her condition. Oct. 12, 2004 More blood, another trip to the vet and urinalysis with no definite answers as to Charlotte's problem. Sherry Moore had left a $100 donation with our vet. That was more than used up after annual shots for 3 other basset rescues. October 20, 2004 We noticed Charlotte was having issues with eating dry dog food and would not let us or any of the other dogs near her mouth. We adjusted her diet to moist food and she began to eat good again. Then more blood. This time with clots. Clara bagged the clots and back to the vet Charlotte went. We advised our vet that we had observed a decline in Charlotte's eating and sensitivity to her mouth and had begun a diet of soft food. Out vet did more blood tests and an ultrasound. He also had to remove three more of Charlotte's teeth. Our vet took a biopsy of Charlotte's gum tissue and put Oravet Sealer on her teeth. The biopsy came back negative. We are waiting the results of the more in depth urine tests. Still no answer as to why she is passing blood in her urine. And the clots? This bill was $300 after a substantial discount. Our vet is also very concerned about Charlotte.
Charlotte is eating well again and appears to feel better. She is talking to Clara and wants more treats. We are still very worried about Charlotte. We hope the results of her latest more in depth urinalysis will shed some light as to why she is occasionally passing blood. November 04, 2004 Charlotte revisited our vet yesterday for a check up on her gums and teeth. Her most obvious health problem. There is some progress but she will need weekly dental care to prevent the build up of plaque. Her urology test last week came back negative again. However, the ultrasound last week showed blood in her bladder. She has been an antibiotic for the last two weeks and so far no blood in her urine. We are keeping our paws crossed. My personal worry is that her severe infestation of heartworms is affecting her other organs. But I am a worrywart. Charlotte is on a monthly dose of Interceptor to kill the H/W microfillia. Now for the important part, Charlottes' trust of people. It is slow going. Clara does get a slow wag of her tail and a boisterous bark from Charlotte occasionally at feeding time. But she is still appears depressed and does not want any hound or human anywhere near her mouth. It will take two people to apply the weekly Oravet plaque prevention gel. She is in no way house trained but we are gently trying to teach her by regular walkies to outside. No scolding, just tolerance for her accidents. She just simply does not know or feel well enough and Clara and I understand. We are confident that in time, Charlotte will learn to trust humans again. The hard part will be balancing the need to treat her health problems and showing her we love her. My and Clara's personal opinion is to gain Charlottes' trust and increase her self esteem even if some of her minor health issues have to be delayed. Which health issues to defer for the sake of her trust is a tough one. Bleeding is not an option but holding her down to apply Oravet plaque prevention gel when she strongly objects is a hard call. Clara says it is the day-to-day that matters and I have learned to trust her opinion in this type of thing over the almost 40 years of our marriage. November 27, 2004 Clara took Charlotte to our vet November 16th because she was bleeding from her mouth. Not serious bleeding but enough for concern. She still has some pockets of infection in her gums so our vet prescribed another round of antibiotics.
Charlotte's demeanor is improving. She trusts Clara and her tail is coming up halfway sometimes. She is probably happier than she has been in a very long time but is afraid to do anything wrong. Her trust and confidence are growing a little each day. She is eating well and finally putting on a little weight.
January 13, 2005 Clara took Charlotte to our vet again because she was bleeding from her gums and passing blood again. Not serious bleeding but enough for concern. Our vet suspects Charlotte has some type of autoimmune disorder. He prescribed another round of antibiotic and Azathioprine to be given every other day. Because of possible side affects of Azathioprine, we are watching Charlotte carefully. She appears to be having no adverse reaction and has regained her appetite and can eat dry dog food. She likes to crunch on dry food and treats. She will return to our vet on Wednesday January 19th. For blood tests to check how well the new medication is working or if it is causing any problems. The possible long-term side affects of Azathioprine are rather serious so we hope Charlotte will only need to take it for a short time. April 21, 2005 Clara took Charlotte to our vet again for a check up and blood count. Charlotte is now on milk thistle to try and help her liver. Her immune system is still good but we continue to monitor her condition. April 30, 2005 Clara took Charlotte to our vet again because she was passing blood again. Not serious bleeding but enough for concern. More tests and antibiotics. Charlotte has a good appetite and loves to be petted. She so wants to go outside to potty but many times, she just cannot make it in time. She loves treats and is very vocal at feeding times. Clara and I wish to thank each of you for helping us to help Charlotte. Your response was overwhelming. Thanks to all of you, we were able to give Charlotte all the medical care she needed. Unfortunately, her age, severe heartworms, and years of poor care were more than medicine could overcome. We are very sure her last 8 months with us were good ones. She was happy and loved. Randall
& Clara If you are interested in adopting a rescue Basset or want to know more about adopting a Basset from us, please go to the Adoption Application Page. There you will find information about our Policies, Requirements, Adoption Process, Adoption Fee, and What you must do to be considered. You can also complete our on-line Adoption Application or Print an Application you can mail to us.
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