Rescue after Rescue (1/5): Nugget and Buddy

We had an influx of rescue cases flowing in over the past few weeks we could honestly barely cope. Practically, we do know we cannot save everybody, every single dog on the street. But if you happen to see an unwell dog in front of you, can you walk away? We are unable to. Be it a major problem or a minor one, if a minor ailment can be rendered medical attention in time, one more precious life is saved as well as further health complications. We try our best.

Nonetheless, all these require time, labour and funding. With our few on-site volunteers dutifully tending to their stray charges as always, we have also been actively working on TNRM (Trap-Neuter-Release-Management) on a restricted part of the island, which makes our manpower even tighter and more limited.

We need your help, be it with adoption, volunteering or funding our medical cases in any way you can help us with. Finding dedicated volunteers has never been easy, but our team has been kept running strong in working towards the ultimate goal of lessening the number of strays on our streets.

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Nugget

During one of our routine feeding sessions close to two years ago, we picked up this tiny little tri-colour puppy struggling away for his life in a deep wide drain. His sibling has unfortunately drowned but we managed to scoop him up in time before he suffered the same fate. He was just palm size then and very young – only a few weeks old. The fosterer named him Nugget.

Nugget has been rehomed a couple of times but was returned, as the adopters cited separation anxiety problems which means he cannot be left alone at home. Nonetheless, he grew into a handsome young lad. Unluckily, the fosterer recently found a growing lump at his throat. We sent Nugget to the clinic and the clinic managed to squeeze out what was in the lump while Nugget was under sedation. However, the vet was only able to see soft tissue for now. An ultrasound will be more appropriate in this case to actually diagnose his condition but we kept it on hold first due to the high cost. Meanwhile, Nugget was given an antibiotics injection which will last him about two weeks and thereafter a review will be scheduled again.

The photo is not very clear but can you see the lump at Nugget's throat?

Buddy
Buddy – a name given to this young lad before he breathed his last. We did not want him to go off unloved and unknown. We wanted him to know that though we did not manage to save him, we will remember him. Though Buddy was initially brought into the clinic for a different condition, his cause of death was similar to Brownie’s (http://www.noahsarkcares.blogspot.sg/2015/06/chloes-update-little-brownie-whom-we.html).

Buddy sustained a bite wound from an adult dog at his abdomen one Saturday afternoon. It was not a very deep wound but it just would not stop bleeding. He was brought into the clinic but further tests revealed serious underlying conditions – Buddy was severely anaemic and also he had fluid in his lungs. The vet suspected he could have accidentally consumed rat poison but he being a stray, we would not know what they have eaten or came across prior to us taking them in.

Buddy’s condition deteriorated after he was transferred to the hospital due to it nearing evening time on a weekend. The vet suggested a blood transfusion for him but as we were scrambling around for another blood donor (we just had a blood transfusion done for Di Di: http://noahsarkcares.blogspot.sg/2015/07/rescue-after-rescue-25-di-di.html), Buddy decided to give up. He was gasping for breath and we had to say goodbye to him. Rest well Buddy. Run along with Little Brownie when you meet him at the rainbow bridge!

Goodbye Buddy..

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With the multiples rescue cases pouring in, our vet bills are at an all high these few months. We appreciate any bit of contribution from each and everyone of you, and also need your sharing to spread the word about adoption for Nugget, Thumper and Teddy! Please email us at noahsarkcares@gmail.com if you are able to help in any way, thank you.

Chloe's update & Little Brownie whom we had to say goodbye to..

It has been a month since we took Chloe in (http://noahsarkcares.blogspot.sg/2015/05/chloe-and-her-innocent-puppies.html), and we do have both positive and not so positive updates. Well, this is the practicality of rescue work we have to admit. It is never a bed of roses.

The good news is, Chloe has been coping with the chemo jabs very well and her tumor has shrunk considerably. She also has a huge appetite! It really does help that she is young and her body is able to withstand the effects of the chemo jabs she has undergone. As we finish up her chemo jabs this week, we unfortunately have to start her on heartworm treatment as the vet noticed that her bloodwork was not looking good and after running some tests, she was diagnosed with heartworm.

Chloe nearing the end of her TVT treatment

 

Nonetheless, Chloe is an extremely friendly girl who will wag her tail like a helicopter rotor even though you are meeting her for the first time! She is HDB-approved size and please let us know should you know of anyone looking to adopt. We are sure you will fall head over heels in love with her once you meet her!

Do you detect a smirk on Chloe's face? :)

 

On the flip side, we lost a young life a couple of days ago. Mongrel puppies are aplenty, we know. But they did not choose to be born in such harsh environments where they literally have to fight for daily survival. One early morning over the weekend, J spotted a puppy lying on his side whining and panting heavily. We are not absolutely certain if he is one of Chloe's puppies given that to our knowledge, Chloe had only one brown puppy which was already adopted. Or did he come out in the open to "ask for help"? Regardless, we could not leave him lying there struggling.

Brownie lying on his side whining and panting heavily

J immediately brought Brownie to a clinic nearby which put him on oxygen therapy straight away. The poor boy was covered with lots of small ticks but to keep him alive was primary now. After a blood test and some x-rays taken, the vet diagnosed Brownie with acute gastroenteritis and subsequent aspiration pneumonia. The x-rays showed his lungs were cloudy which should not be the case, but further testing was required to determine what was actually wrong. They also found some bones and foreign objects in his little stomach.

Brownie on oxygen therapy

After Brownie stabilized a wee bit, we had to transfer him over to a hospital for round the clock monitoring. Over at the hospital, the diagnosis was sadly just as poor. A trachea wash was recommended as the vets needed to find out the cause of his condition before recommending further treatment. This was however, to be performed only if Brownie made it through the night.

The poor boy seeking some affection

A grateful smile from Brownie while being transferred to the hospital

Morning came and there was no call from the clinic the previous night. We were glad that the poor boy was still alive and the vet updated that his breathing seemed a bit labored without oxygen provided but apart from that, he was still coping fine for now. We thus made the decision to proceed with the trachea wash.

Another call came slightly past noon. We initially thought it was to inform us of the results of the trachea wash but the vet regrettably updated that Brownie had passed on. His heart stopped and they tried resuscitating him but to no avail. Our hearts sank but we knew we had tried our very best for this little one.

Vet bills are never cheap – all of you who bring your beloved pooches for health checks will know. Though Brownie incurred a fair bit of bills but eventually did not make it, at least we gave it a shot and did all we could. We are thankful for the kind contributions that came in for Chloe and if you can, we will like to ask for help with Brownie’s bills as well in any way within your means. Please email noahsarkcares@gmail.com if you will like to contribute to little Brownie’s last journey, thank you.