These are dogs who will stay with us for the rest of their lives. This may be because they have issues and would struggle in any other home, or because of medical reasons. If you would like to help with the costs of a sanctuary dog, please Make a Donation.
Mr Magoo
Mr Magoo was taken to the vet to be put to sleep. His owner told the vet that if he didn’t do this, he would drown the dog. A local rescue agreed to take Mr Magoo, then he came to us at Rottie Rumble & Friends Rescue.
We knew that Mr Magoo had a grade 6 heart murmur and his life expectancy was six to nine months. We also knew he had a severe flea allergy which had been treated, so we thought no further treatment was needed for his skin.
I realised as soon as I collected Mr Magoo that there was more going on. A trip to the vet on the day that I collected him confirmed his heart issue – but also showed that he had untreated dry eye, extremely poor eyesight such that he bumps into things, an untreated ear infection, impacted anal glands, very long nails, and rotten teeth – one actually came out during the examination! He’s also underweight and his skin has turned out to need weekly baths in medicated shampoo.
Fast forward and Mr Magoo now has everything he needs to treat his medical issues. He’s been to the groomer and been clipped right back. Despite everything he’s been through, this boy still wags his tail, craves love, and is a gentlest soul. He’s great in the home, great with dogs, and great with Colin our resident cat. He’s loving the menu and gets super-excited when his dinner is served! He adores going for a puttle.
We made a promise to this old gent that we will do our very best to make sure he has the best care, and enjoys what ever time he has left.
Fig
Fig went in for X-rays on her hips and legs. Good news: her hips are good, as is her rear right leg. Bad news: her left leg is very bad – it’s bowed, and the kneecap is halfway round her leg (on the inside).
Because she was sedated, the vet manipulated the kneecap back into place, but it will not stay there. The X-rays were sent to an orthopaedic specialist whose opinion was that the leg has been damaged through injury, not birth deformity. The corrective surgery needed is very complex, so Fig would need to be referred to Liverpool or the Willows, and a CT scan would be needed to collect more in-depth imagery before any surgery could take place. The specialist couldn’t say if the surgery would work or if Fig would end up worse off; certainly Fig would need to have her leg broken in a couple of places, to try and align it better and get the kneecap back into situ, then there would be tendon and ligament work as well, followed by extensive crate rest, reaching a likely total cost of £10k.
The other option is amputation which would remove the problem and the pain. Fig would manage well on three legs as she carries her leg quite often now; recovery would be much quicker, she’d be home sooner, and the surgery would be much less complicated.
I’ve asked about partial amputation from the knee down, as that again would remove the problem and stop the pain. My vet is asking the orthopaedic specialist if this is possible given that Fig’s leg configuration is so complicated. Also, with partial amputation there is a much higher risk of infection as the bone is being cut and not removed. I am currently awaiting news as to whether a partial amputation can be carried out or if it will need to be a full amputation.
Whilst Fig is loving life and coping with the state of her leg, I will leave the leg alone, knowing that at some point she will need amputation. She loves her life here, and her bestest friend is Effie my Rott whom she plays with and sleeps cuddled between her legs.
George
George came to us after his Dad passed away and his Mum was taken into hospital for end of life care. He is a beautiful boy.
We took him to the vet for a check and discovered that he had a heart murmur (common in the breed) as well as an elongated palette with a fork in it which meant that he struggled to breathe at times.
I had a discussion with my vet; I wanted to go ahead with BOAS surgery, but he wasn’t convinced it would work especially because George has a restricted larynx. We disagreed, but in the end I wanted to attempt to improve George’s quality of life so the surgery went ahead. We are so pleased with the results; he’s not cured but the improvement is fantastic.
Unfortunately George also suffered with HGE and spent four nights with the emergency vet. We thought we’d lost him at one point, but thankfully he’s a fighter and he’s now back with us where he will live his life out.
