June 26, 2012, Mabel, the Rescued Cocker Update

Thanks to all of you that have already donated to the Mabel Fund. We really appreciate your help with her medical costs. Here’s an update of what happened at the Vet Clinic today.

We dropped Mabel off for an EKG and blood work with the intention of having her decayed teeth cleaned and/or removed. A few hours later I received a call that Mabel was not a candidate for going under anesthesia because of her heart condition at the moment. After taking her EKG it was sent to a cardiologist in Anchorage to read and he said she was currently more than high risk. Apparently it’s an electrode problem where the bottom of the heart is not communicating with the top causing her to have irregular heartbeats. He recommended giving her an injection used to regulate the heartbeat and then taking another EKG to see if that would help. I gave the okay to continue with the procedure recommended by the cardiologist. The Homer Vet also wanted to X-Ray her chest

At 3:30 this afternoon I was able to pick her up. The injection worked as it was supposed to - they can regulate her heartbeat which is really good news. An X-Ray showed that Mabel has an extremely large heart – the Vet commented that we already knew that because of course she is so very sweet. Since the injection will last up to six hours, Mabel will now be able to have her teeth worked on without being at high risk. Some of her heart issues might be directly related to the poison in her mouth.

Mabel was sent home with multiple medications: antibiotics to help with the infection in her gums, heart meds, pain meds and also something to clear up a small amount of mucus in her esophagus that might be caused from lying in the ravine water for who knows how long. All in all, her lungs are clear but small because her heart takes up so much room. The heart meds will hopefully help reduce the size and give her more space to breathe.

She arrived home famished and full of energy – she actually jumped out of the car before I could even get out, to do her business. We are cooking her chicken breasts with rice and a few peas mixed in. She gets yogurt, oatmeal and an egg at breakfast for protein. We are closely monitoring her sodium intake. Tonight she finished off her food  (nothing wrong with the appetite!) and then proceeded to make laps around the house. Must have felt the need for exercise since she was in a kennel much of today. As you can see in the photo she is now crashed on her bed snuggled under her very own SnugRug. She seems happy to be back with all the doggies at TBTB Dog Camp.

Mabel’s appointment for her teeth is now scheduled for Friday, July 6^th. All this medical work would not be possible without your help. Thanks again to those that have donated for this lovely little lady. And for you that haven’t done so yet, please consider it.  No donation is too small. I will continue to keep everyone updated on her progress. We are hopeful she will be much healthier and happy once everything is complete. She will then be looking for her forever home.

We Woof You!!  Mabel sends hugs and licks. Her kisses will be much sweeter once her teeth are clean and her breath is fresh!

Woof! Woof!