We were due to pick Lucky up yesterday at 6PM but when we arrived, another discussion followed with the vet, who’d had time to investigate further. So we had to leave him in the hospital for another day.
Three of his blood counts are so far off normal the vet is considering a blood transfusion. Haematocrit (red cell count) is at 24% and should be 35-55%, so he has severe anaemia. He was so dehdrated that he wasn’t able to drink from a bowl. As you can see he’s on a drip of saline, glucose and antibiotics. I think he must be an amazingly tough dog to have managed to survive.
I’d like to thank Herky Gal for suggesting I set up a Go Fund Me. His leg operation is going to be expensive, but on our second visit yesterday we learned that the treatment for heartworm is going to also be expensive, maybe even moreso. We’re pensioners on a fixed income so it could wipe us out for a while. I found that I couldn’t use Go Fund Me in Mexico, but after some research I discovered DonorBox.org and have set up an account there: donorbox.org/…
I’ve never asked for donations before, though we’ve rescued I think 8 dogs and 2 cats so far. Their needs were modest, they didn’t need such expensive care. I feel out of my depth. I also feel overwhelmed after reading all your comments, some of which brought tears to my eyes. Thanks all of you, especially those who rescue.
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UPDATE for DAY 4
First I’d like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for helping us to help him. I think we have enough funds for his operation and hospitalisation now. We have scheduled his operation for the 23rd, and he’ll stay there in recovery for a further two days.
He’s eating three times what our old Springer eats, I’ve never seen anything like it! Food vanishes instantly. The two dogs are getting along okay, which is great.
I’ve been doing a bit of research and found an almost identical image. Looks like I was right: he’s a hybrid between border collie and pit bull terrier.
Now, border collies are rare here. I think I’ve only seen
one or two in 10 years. So I think he’s a deliberate cross rather than an ‘accident’.
Secondly, he’s house-trained. He asks to go out by scratching the door. And he behaves perfectly around the house.
So, I think he was someone’s pet and lived indoors. I thought: “If my dog had escaped and disappeared would I hope someone would find and report him?” And of course I would. I’ve put his photo on the local Facebook page for lost dogs. I’m sure I will know if his original owner turns up. Of course, we hope that doesn’t happen, because we want him to be ours.
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Saturday Jan 6, 04. Update.
Still doing fine and both dogs are getting along.
My wife just discovered, on local Facebook lost and found dogs, a female that looks IDENTICAL to Lucky. She was found in the same geographical area. So we are trying to get in contact. We want to see if they know each other because they look to be litter mates. I am now wondering if some cold-hearted swine has dumped two or more dogs. I’ll keep you updated.