Blaise A Christmas Story of Hope with a happy ending
Some of you already know that today, Carolyn and I were to collect a young black Labrador from a kennels in Blackburn. He couldn't be taken to MKF earlier to spend Xmas with Glenys and Sam as he had to remain in the kennels in case he was claimed. It would appear that whilst he has been roaming the street. Today was his release date - tomorrow at 9am a van was to collect him to take him to the vet to be PTS.
When we arrived to collect him we were unable to take him with us. He was very poorly, being sick constantly and passing blood and drinking gallons of water. There was a risk he would infect the kennels at the farm and put other Labs that might need rehoming at great risk. We went to MKF and had a discussion with Glenys whilst we waited for the kennel vet to visit the little lad and eventually, when the phone rang we were told he was extremely poorly but it was highly unlikely it was parvo virus and he needed immediate treatment.
We returned to the kennel to collect the little lad - he was in a right state - vomit and diarrhoea on him. He could barely lift his head to be sick. I carried him into the car and immediately took him to the Rescue vets, Withy Grove Veternary Clinic, in Bamber Bridge. To quote Glenys, 'he will get all the help he needs our Vets are Magic'. He was put on a drip immediately and examined by a vet shortly afterwards.
Shortly after we left the little lad, the Vets rang Glenys explaining that he was very poorly and asking for permission to carry out various tests. She has given permission for the Vet to do whatever is necessary to give this little lad a chance. He has had a tough little life so far - he is approximately 10 months old, and as ill and dehydrated as he was, he tried his best to wag his tail and to stand up to get near to Carolyn who was keeping an eye on him from the back seat.
I have taken the liberty of naming him Blaise - after the patron saint of veternary surgeons - it seemed appropriate because he is now in their caring hands and if he makes it, well he will have won a hell of a battle.
I managed to snatch a quick photo once I had put him in the car - it isnt very good but it wasnt exactly a high priority.
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Update - Friday 28th: Glenys has heard from the Vet today. Blaise is still very poorly - he was too ill yesterday to take any samples but these are being done today. The bad news is that he has not improved but the good news is that he is no worse. He is being kept on fluids over the weekend while we wait for the results of the tests
2nd Update Friday 28th PM : Still no improvement but Blaise is holding his own
Update - Saturday 29th AM: Sadly Blaise is no better - he has been sick in the night and will need more medication to try and stop the sickness, they are working with him now. More news tommorow.
Update - Sunday 30th: The update today is that Blaise is still poorly and still on a drip he has however wagged his tail and The Vet says what a little sweetheart he hasn't taken any food and is weak. Hopefully all crossed the results will come through from the tests tomorrow and then the Vets know what they are fighting and what drugs to use to make him better. He is on Hourly checks so your donations are so gratefully received as I am sure we will have a massive Fee but all worth it for this lovely Chap who is fighting for his life. Thank you everyone.
Update - Monday 31st: Hello Everyone You have all shown kindness and good wishes to poor Blaise, this is today's update. "This is still a very poorly boy very weak (being on iV fluids since last Thursday)yesterday he wagged his tail and today Ian (Vet) is trying him with a small amount of food everything is being done to save him ". Sadly because its the festive season the results have not come through yet from the tests. Everyone is rooting for this Boy surely if we can all be granted one special wish it would be that he can become well again,what a great gift that would be for the new year all at the Vets said what a super loving boy he is and so brave. I will give another update tomorrow and hopefully better news. Thank You for helping us to Help Blaise. Glenys xx
Update - Tuesday 1st Jan 2008: Spoken to Ian the vet this morning and Blaise so far has had a little bit of food and so far kept it down, he is on IV drips and constant antbiotics. The test results will hopefully be back tomorrow he has been tested for Salmonella, Campylobacter,Parvo, & Aneorobic infection.His body had taken a battering, he just needs to keep food down now in order to fight off the infection,the vet seems to agree with us in that as he was a stray he was scavaging for food and picked up these infections. He is not out of the woods by any means but the next 2/3 days will be the crucial times... Please keep him in your thoughts. K.
Update - Wednesday 2nd Jan 2008: Have spoken to vet this morning and Blaise seems to have turned a corner he has kept his food down and he is much brighter today. They are going to try and give him bigger meals and hope that he keeps this down. He has also had a walk with one of the nurses and she says he is doing well .The test results have still not come back but they hope they will be back tomorrow, and they shall know more then. Heres hoping that he now goes from strength to strength.
Update - Thursday 3rd Jan: The test results have now come back and Blaise has Campylobactor,he is now keeping his food down,and we now need a permanant home or a foster home. He will fare better in a home but anyone who has had Campylobactor in their dogs will be aware that extreeme hygene is needed. and a kennel enviroment is not ideal.Humans cannot catch it but other dogs can, so a home where he will be an only dog or a foster home where he will be the only dog will help him to fare better.Of course the vets have said that he can stay with them but it is not an ideal situation,he will go stir crazy as the vet said and not fair on him. After 2 weeks another sample must be sent off for testing to see if the virus has gone,if it has then he will hopefully be ok, if not then another dose of special antibiotics, and 2 weeks after tha another sample sent off.Samples will be sent off until the results come back clear..therefore his medication is going to be a long term affair.. If you feel that you can give this boy either a foster home or a permanant home please call us asap,the vet says that he will be ok to go by the weekend.
Since the above updates, Blaise had a small set back but is now doing fine and awaiting the day when hsi test results come back showing the virus has completely gone. He is currently being cared for by Vet nurses but needs a permanent home. As you can see from the photo below - this little chap made a full recovery and has grown into a stunning young man.
