3/12/11: Scrappy is a 5-6 year old neutered male, owner surrender. Scrappy was originally owned by an elderly, wheelchair bound woman who didn’t have the means or the physical ability to care for Scrappy. Why she purchased him, in her debilitated state, is beyond explanation. Not only couldn’t she provide basic medical care, she couldn’t even bathe the poor boy. For 3 years he lived under these conditions. He was surrendered to a small rescue in south GA with multiple infections, unable to walk and absolutely no fur. A kind couple, who rescued privately, took on his difficult case. Over the last 5 months they’ve treated his infections and multiple allergies at great personal expense but only made marginal headway. Feeling like they had exhausted all options in their small south GA town, they called GEBR for help.
Scrappy is a very sweet, gentle spirit. He was very nervous when we first took possession of him, but has settled down after hugs and kisses. He reportedly gets along with other dogs.
Scrappy is now resting at our vets and ready to begin his journey back to health.
Update 6/28/2011: The sweetest boy in the world! Scrappy made his much anticipated debut at our recent Dog Wash in Atlanta where he charmed the hearts of young, old and canine. He has transitioned into our pack, no small feat when dealing with Bailey, the enforcer and bulldog security. Now, they’re best friends. Scrappy has very good doggy manners and except for one accident on the first day he came to our house, has done beautifully.
From a medical standpoint he is steadily improving. We have eliminated all foods he has allergies to from his diet and he is taking Temaril P for his multiple environmental allergies. His skin is looking better everyday and fur is growing back in slowly. We don’t expect that he will ever have a thick coat after years of neglect but we have made major improvements. His skin is softening from resolution of chronic inflammation.
Update 8/25/2011: Scrappy went lame late last week. Initially his right front elbow. He has been getting treatment waiting for his GVS appointment, next Wednesday. It’s been a long 6 days trying to get him well enough to walk again. Last evening, he became lame in the left front leg, was lethargic, wouldn’t eat and would only drink very little.
He was taken to GVS emergency last night. They kept him overnight because:
1. He couldn’t walk and each time I carried him outside, my arms and hands were numb for hours.
2. He was very dehydrated
3. He had pain that couldn’t be controlled with pain meds anymore.
Spoke with Dr. Cross this morning. Scrap does have arthritis in both front elbows but not as bad as you would expect with his level of pain. He is going to aspirate the joint sometime today and send it for culture. He thinks both joints are infected. He is also going to have the dermatologist look at him and do more skin tests. He also thinks the skin might be the cause of what’s going on in his joints. (I doubt because his skin is world’s better than when he came into rescue)
They will call back after they’ve looked at the fluid and make a treatment plan from there.SCRAPPY’S MEDICAL CARE WILL BE EXPENSIVE! Help us help Scrappy. Please donate by simply clicking the yellow DONATE button. Your contributions are tax deductible.
Update 10/9/11: Today is a mini milestone in the life of one little dpg. Scrappy has just completed 8 weeks of antibiotics and being carried like a little prince. He will now walk short distances and is even doing some non-mandatory walking…can’t take the curiosity out of little man, especially if it involves food. He stands to eat from an elevated food bowl and takes all his medicines like a champ. He’s no…w terribly spoiled and feels most care is his due. I still must give him water from a licks-it, like a baby bottle;although he doesn’t like the girls to see him doing it. No matter how much I’ve tried, Scrappy simply and absolutely WILL NOT drinkout of the water bowl eventhough it’s right next to his food bowl…..Oh well, I’m just happy that he’s doing so much better. As a bonus to the 8 weeks of antibiotics, we are getting fur regrowth. The vet thought his elbow infections were because of his skin, and that does seem to be the case. It is coming in as a beautiful red reverse brindle.
Update 11/10/11: Scrappy is covered in fur, it’s thinner on his head and neck, but a full coat over the rest of his body. He took his last antibiotic this morning (12 weeks) and only a few more days of the anti fungal medicine. He’s still spoiled rotten and will only walk when he realizes that he may be missing something and no one is willing to carry him to the location of all the action. Hmmmmmm, he’s still drinking from the Licks It…He’s entitled you know!
We wanted to say thank you to Big Papa and family for purchasing Scrappy’s painting at the Third Annual Bully Ball for $2,100! That money will be used for Scrappy’s care. He is going to UGA Vet School soon to see the dermatologist.
Update 5/15/12: Scrappyspent several hours at UGA today getting the mega dermatology work up. We have a lot of work to do, but in the end we have hope that he will have major improvement in his skin condition.
Update 2/1/13: Scrappy will remain with GEBR as a permanent foster.
Update 1/20/14: Scrappy took ill suddenly on Monday night. My daughter and I rushed him to UGA emergency room. We found that he had a large cancerous tumor in his spleen that was actively bleeding. They were not able to stabilize him enough to even get him to surgery. With such a grim prognosis, I chose not to allow him to struggle any longer. Scrappy closed his eyes the final time, in my arms as I told him just how much he was loved. How much I enjoyed being his Tweet Wady and how much he enriched my life.
RIP Scrappy
Da Ladies Man, Da Gangsta and the Legend…..SCRAPPY
Scrappy took ill suddenly on Monday night. My daughter and I rushed him to UGA emergency room. We found that he had a large cancerous tumor in his spleen that was actively bleeding. They were not able to stabilize him enough to even get him to surgery. With such a grim prognosis, I chose not to allow him to struggle any longer. Scrappy closed his eyes the final time, in my arms as I told him just how much he was loved. How much I enjoyed being his Tweet Wady and how much he enriched my life.
It was an honor to care for you Scrappy. YOU WERE THE ABSOLUTE BEST!
~ Ruthann
GUARDIAN ANGELS:
J and L Baillargeon
Big Papa and Family
C Leonard Alexander
H Knight
Sponsors:
S Chandler
R and S Rice
R Kamm Jr
K Hopkins
J and L Baillargeon
R Williams
C Dominick
J Steadman
Oscar Bites Dog Treats
M Smith
H Wilcher
