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Friday, February 29: After a few hours of vomiting, volunteer Shawn Springfield drove him to the vet.  By the time she arrived, he was limp in her arms and unable to walk.  He had a high fever, which was a real cause for concern. He was given IV fluids and they did bloodwork.  He showed signs that something was neruologically wrong. 

Washington Co-Coordinator Kerri Kuykendall went to pick Tex up from the vet and take him to the emergency vet.  He didn't even know she was there.  He had gone downhill so fast.

When Tex came to us on February 23, other than being malnourished, he seemed like a healthy pup.  He'd had an awful case of multiple parasite infestations.  The most severe infestations are 60 eggs or more of parasites in a sample.  Tex had more than 60 whipworm eggs, 60 hookworm eggs, and 60 roundworm eggs in one fecal sample alone.  On top of that, he tested positive for giardia with more than 60 giardia cysts.  This is why ESRA is committed to deworming and heartworm testing.  Parasites can cause awful problems.  Tex also had double ear infections.  

But we did not foresee such a serious problem coming up.

On Saturday morning, March 1, at the emergency vet, a neurologist did a spinal tap as they were afraid that he might have encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain.  Poor Tex was unable to see due to his bulging eyes from the inflammation of his brain, and he seemed unable to move.  The neurologist rushed the test results, and by Saturday night, the results confirmed encephalitis.

Symptoms of Encephalitis include: severe headache, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, disorientation, convulsions (seizures), problems with speech or hearing, blindness, memory loss, drowsiness, and even coma.

A VERY sick puppy!

We aren't sure why Tex has encephalitis, but it is an autoimmune response.  It could be an autoimmune response to the vaccines he got on Saturday.

Tex was being treated with IV steroids, antibiotics, and anti-nausea medicine. He was put on a urinary catheter.

Later on Saturday, Tex was beginning to improve a bit.  He was able to yawn and stretch and was responsive to voice.  By night time, he was able to be propped up to eat and drink.

By Sunday, March 2, Tex was able to urinate without a catheter.  His back legs are still not working that well, but could walk with a sling.  They were doing some physical therapy with him. Tex's eyes were not as dialated and bulging.

He is going to be in emergency care for a few more days.  The emergency vet would like him to be able to walk, see, and go potty by himself before he is released from emergency care.  He will need about three months of steroids and many check-ups.  The neurologist will do further evaluations.

Update, 03 MAR 08: He became blind late Friday night, and still is. His temperature was normal before he was taken to the critical care hospital, and has remained normal. Also he is still not able to go potty on his own, the tech has to express his bladder for him. He is still not able to sit up by himself and has to be propped up with towels. The neurologist is going to call this morning after her examination.

Update, 04 MAR 08: Last night I went to visit him and he was resting, he did wake up to visit and eat his dinner. He is very bored and frustrated, so they are going to give him a Kong with peanut butter in it to give him something to do. I am also going to pick up a Nylabone for him to bring to him tonight. He is still blind and has some twitching in his right shoulder. He has motor skills in the rear legs, but needs assistance to walk and the front legs he is able to walk just fine.  He is a fighter and definitely has a will to live.

Update, 06 MAR 08: (From Kerri) Tex is improving everyday and is now able to stand for short periods of time and can sit up with out being propped up. He has earned cage doors as he scoots out of his cage towards the voices of the vet techs working on other patients. He is going to the ophthalmologist next week to get a prognosis and also start going to warm water therapy. I trimmed the hair around his pads and he acted like typical 8 months old and fought me, so he his feeling feisty. Tex will continue to stay in the hospital.

In therapy

Update, 13 MAR 08: (From Shawn) He went to Physical Therapy on Monday.  He also went in the hydropool with the treadmill.  He is doing so good compared to last week.  He can put himself into a sitting position.  He has a little strength in his back legs, but not enough to hold himself up for any length of time.  The hospital did say that he expressed his bladder on his own (with them holding him up) for the first time.  The techs were very excited about that.  Tex is still blind, and we are not sure if it is permanent or not.

Update, 17 MAR 08: (From Kerri) Tex has been diagnosed with Meningoencephalitis which was caused by routine vaccinations which were given four days prior to him becoming ill. The vet told me that this was rare and happens in less than one percent of dogs that have been vaccinated. On Saturday I took Tex to a hydro therapy session and the therapist was very happy with his progress. I was very proud of him, as he handled the water and the treadmill like a champ. On Sunday I went to visit him, and to my amazement he was wagging his tail and was able to hold his bladder. He is now able to go poop and potty outside with a little hold up help from the techs, and he is now walking by himself for short periods of time. He will be going to see the Opthamologist on March 24th and hopefully going in to foster care this week with Shawn.

Update, 26 MAR 08: (From Shawn) I am just now having a chance to update everyone on Tex's condition.  His recovery has been nothing short of a miracle.  I know a big thanks goes to all of the doctors and techs at the hospital and clinics that he has been to along this journey.  Also, Thank You, to all the people that have donated and given prayers and wishes.  ESRA has been so supportive of all that has been done to help this sweet little boy recover.

Tex is currently staying with me during the week and Kerri during the weekend.  He goes between the two households seamlessly.  He enjoys both places and the dogs he gets to be with.  To watch him walk around is amazing.  He is actually getting up to a little trot at times.  This is such a difference from two weeks ago when all he could move was his head.  He knows to use the bathroom outside and is learning how to adapt to being blind.   I wear jingle bells on my ankle so he knows where I am at all times.  He knows “stairs up” means to start climbing stairs.  A water fountain has been donated so Tex can hear the water for when he is thirsty.  It really has been a rewarding experience to be a part of.  He is still the sweet, sweet, SWEET puppy that I mentioned before he became ill.  He will make someone a wonderful, loving pet.  I know there is a perfect home for him out there.  He is on the small size, has a wonderful silky coat. 

This past week Tex went to the Ophthalmologist at Northwest Animal Eye Specialist.  The doctor confirmed that he is blind and does not believe he will regain his vision.  The whole staff fell in love with him and generously donated the cost of the examination.  He is also seeing a physical therapist a few more times, and Kerri takes him to an acupuncturist (the cost of that has been paid for directly by an ESRA member) on the weekends.

Update, 30 MAR 08: Since Tex has made such a miraculous physical recovery, we are now accepting applications for adoption, or foster-to-adopt, for Tex.  The ideal situation for him would be a home that has another dog.  This will allow Tex to follow and learn from that dog. He would also be greatly comforted by having a friend to hang with when the parents are gone.  He is so smart and learns the house layout quickly.  He will need some special attention as he is still on some medications and home physical therapy.

Update, 06 MAy 08: Tex is such a trooper!  He has recovered from all of his previous trauma, only to experience a mild setback.  He has developed demodex mange.  This is passed from the mother to its puppy and only develops when a dog has a weak immune system.  With all that Tex has gone through, this is no surprise.  Kerri got his medicine right away, and he will be going through treatment for six to eight weeks.  This form of mange is not contagious.  Other than a few itching attacks, he is the same sweet puppy as ever.  Over the past few weeks he has actually become increasingly playful.  He loves a good game of tug with another dog.

We also have another eye appointment scheduled for Tex in June.  When tested at home, he has amazing tracking ability for a blind dog, so we are hopeful that some vision has returned.  Stay tuned for that information.

Below is Tex's story before all this!  But remember, it's NOT like this right now, but he's getting better each day.

A Good Samaritan saw a man on the side of the road giving away Springers, two one-year-old females and an eight-month old male.  The young male was covered in fleas, hay, feces, and was malnourished.  He had no name.  The man boasted of the dogs' abilities to breed and said he had twenty dogs in a kennel at his house so his wife said it was too many.  The rescuer felt compelled to take the eight-month-old male and find him a home. 

Tex likes to be beta with the other dogs, and gets along beautifully with the other dogs in the house.  He is very mellow for his age.  He likes to cuddle as much as possible.  He is a couch and a bed dog and prefers to sleep with kids.

It's hard to get a good photo of Tex because when the camera comes out, he has to come up and say hello.  Or he drops on the floor in a belly rub position and that doesn't make a good photo.  It does tell you about his personality, though.  Tex is a loving, mellow, submissive guy.

He is learning Down and Drop it, but still has many to learn: Sit, Stay, etc. Tex is not housetrained.  He does not like the crate.  He screamed with unhappiness when put inside.  He tends to be pretty timid in new situations.  He loves to play in the back yard and runs around like crazy.  But when he's in the front yard, and there are loud noises of cars going by, he drops and scoots on his tummy. Tex is wonderful with children, and is around kids ranging from ages: 1, 3, 5, and 13.  The one-year-old kid is not very gentle with Tex but he just loves him. 

He is a big fan of squeaky toys and playing tug of war.  He lives for cuddle time.  He needs a home that will continue his training and be patient.  He needs a home that can acknowledge that his first home was not good.  He spent the first 8 months with 19 other dogs in one kennel, un-named.  So he does not know the rules of the house and will take a bit of time to catch up. 

His foster mom says, Three words come to mind sweet, sweet, sweet.  This should be the easiest dog to adopt out ever.  He is adorable, cuddly, friendly. He gets really excited when someone throws the ball, so he brings it back wanting me to do it all over again - that is until something else grabs his attention - very curious.  He gets along so well with other dogs and is fine with cats.

We've decided that Tex needs to go to a home where he is allowed on furniture, because this little guy puts other snugglers to shame! He will be a fantastic companion for a family, especially with children.

Tex is 21 pounds, not just because he is young, but because he is malnourished. Poor Tex also had double ear infections, and his vet is getting him through that, too.  He has recently been neutered, and is current on all vaccinations.

Little Tex is so happy to be in rescue.  He would go home with anyone!  He is grateful to be out of a bad situation and with nice people.  He has never met a stranger.

Contact: Kathleen Vidal esra-nw@telus.net

Click Here To Sponsor Tex

TEX'S GENEROUS SPONSORS TO DATE:
Linda Steinbach	From the Steinbachs and our little rescued guy, Gus.
Tammy S. Blevins-Gierson	In memory of Molly E. Keane and Bo. It's in memory of a girl who loved her dog so much she risked her life, and lost it, in effort to save him.
Barbara White	In memory of Molly Keane and her Bo. See the story of Molly and Bo.
Della Green	A gift for Carlee Mashak.
Megan Fine
Nicole and Phyllis Highsmith	In memory of Ashley, the best girl ever!
Vanet Uvino
Bill Butt	Thanks to Dianne Shanley, Kathy Armstrong, and Kim Harris for finding Rosie for me and my Mr. Dexter.
Dianne and Mike Shanley	In memory of Sadie, a wonderful ten-year-old Golden Lab therapy dog that's gone to The Bridge. She will be missed by her family and friends.
Kerri Kuykendall	In memory of my first ESRA foster, Lady. We love you Tex, and get well soon!
Jim and Judy Crosswhite
Steve Habib	In memory of my best friends, Jake and Codi.
Sharon Jackson	In memory of Shasta, my Springer who passed away last year. I hope the little guy pulls through.
Kathleen and Ron Vidal	In memory of Icey and Mr. Clinky, and special love to Tex!
Tim and Lori Owens	In memory of Samantha. Many thanks to Kathy Armstrong and Kerri Kuykendall for their never-ending effort to help Springers in need.
Jennifer Shelley	In memory of Doodle Bug, my two year old Springer who passed away last year.  Get well soon Tex!
Tom Speer
Phil and Sharleen Smith	To all the ESRA Springers that  have been rescued, and for the ones to come.
Terry Wallace	Hang in there Tex!!
Shawn Springfield	Looking forward to seeing you run again!
Kathy Reynolds	In memory of Flintlock of the Fields and Commander Cody.
Pat and Kim Harris	In honor of the ESRA volunteers in WA, ID, and MT.
Bill Vaughan	From a friend of Buck.
Renee Villanueva	In memory of Sammy, we miss you dearly! Hang in there Tex, you're a beautiful boy. Hugs & Kisses!
Cary Branthwaite	In memory of Jack and Gus.
Special Needs Montana	Hang in there Tex, you have a long way to go.  I made it, so will you!.  Nose Kisses from Montana!
Lee and Loretta Davis	In memory of Sparky and Freckles.
Billy Rowe	In memory of my best friend, Delta Rowe, the beautiful Springer who changed my life.
Richard and Anne Teaford	To honor Cleopatra Royal Princess on her 13th birthday on March 14. Cleo is the best dog we have had in our 47 years of married life.  She is a real sweetie and we love her.
Tanya Mitchell
Jed & Joanna Clauss	In memory of Sammy.
Bob Knell	In memory of Samantha, Joshua, Rose, and Brady.
Sydney Triest	For her 10th birthday, Sydney asked, instead of gifts this year, that her friends donate to ERSA. She sends this in the hope that it will assist ESRA to provide these wonderful animals with loving and caring homes. Get well soon, Tex!
Jill Howard	In memory of Finian, Poco, Wylie, Blitzen, and Uncle Davis, who really did love his dogs.
Parker Harms and Jeff Wright	In memory of Shanti, from Doc, our ESRA boy. Tex, I hope you're up and playing soon just like me!  And if you ever visit New Mexico, please come see us!
Ken and Wendy Duffy	In memory of Molly Keane.
Charlotte and Frank Dono	In memory of Robbie and Annie.
Daniel Meyers and            Dr. Judy Groner and Family	In memory of Paula Jillson.
Jackie Bell-Smith	In memory of John Bell.
Marsha Bumgardner	I got my dog Buddy last year through a rescue group. He is the sweetest dog, and I love him so much. Thanks for helping these wonderful dogs.
Janet Koehnke	In memory of my sweet Gumbeaux!
Cathryne Slaughter
Nastor Nastiuk	In memory of Zeke, my late Springer.
Leslie Caspersen	In memory of Buddy and Rocky.