08 January 2009

The Visit to the Vet


Mama Mia and Mistral have now been here for 10 days and today we went to the vet for a check-up. We got back half an hour ago but as both were sick into every nook and and cranny of the car, I've been busy cleaning up. Yuck. I should know better and not have fed them this morning, but they weren't sick on the drive from the Languedoc so I thought they'd be OK. In hindsight, probably they weren't fed before that trip. Thank God, for leather car seats.

The day after they arrived, Mistral came into season - or so I thought. The blood tho stopped within a few hours then about 4 days later it started again. This time I checked her thoroughly and whilst it was coming from the vulva, she definitely isn't swollen or in heat. Two possibilities occurred to me - 1. that she has something wrong inside, like a tumour. 2. That she's pregnant and is aborting a re-absorbed pup!

So the vet checked them both over thoroughly.

Mistral: She doesn't think she's pregnant and we've booked her in for sterilization next Thursday. If she does have pups, they'll be removed. (If you are 'Right to Life,' sorry, there are too many adult dogs seeking homes, let alone unborn pups) Mistral is in far better condition than Mama Mia. Mistral's heart is good, teeth pretty clean, no ear problems, skin pretty much healed and she is even getting too fat now. We have to wait and see what the vet finds when she opens her up.

Mama Mia: She's in a far worse state even tho there is vast improvement from when she arrived. She has a heart murmur, her skin is still very bad although it's far less inflamed than before. We continue the baths for both of course but Mia has been given some special fatty supplement to help her skin. Her ears are disgusting and we now have a different treatment for them. She also has an infected toe which I didn't notice till this morning so that needs treating. She doesn't appear to be putting on weight but she is looking better. I can't give more food else she gets an upset tum.

Both continue antibiotics for several more weeks. Both cough occasionally but vet says it's a throat problem, not heart - simply from the conditions they've been living in. Should improve with luck. They cough after drinking water.

Getting them into the car was easy. Getting them out was easy but walking them through Cap d'Ail was a nightmare - at least it was was Mama Mia. My friend, Laura, met me and she walked Mistral (Mistral loves everyone and was no problem). Thank you, dear Laura, I couldn't have managed without you. I took Mia's lead and she practically had a heart attack every time she saw a man. Really I had to drag her through the street. She is absolutely terrified of men. If a man comes here she runs off and doesn't stop barking until he leaves. Last night a new dog arrived for interview (all guests at Pension Milou have to undergo an interview) - well she was terrified of the husband. Next time a man visits, I'll shut her in the kitchen, behind the babygate, and hope she settles. She's obviously been beaten, abused, whatever and by a man.

As for Beau, my beautiful Bruno de Jura, he didn't speak to me for two days after they arrived. You can see Beau - big black hound - in the smaller photo. How he knew they weren't normal visitors but were here to stay, I don't know, but he did. Beau came from a refuge nearly three years ago so he's a needy dog too. Then suddenly on the third day (and of course I fussed him like crazy and told him he was my very best and number one dog) he relented. Wagged his tail, came and sat with me and amazingly now totally accepts the two new girls. He doesn't care for dogs approaching his chair (re-read that - he doesn't care for dogs approaching MY chair) but now, when Mama Mia and Mistral approach, he accepts them - indeed, some mornings I find all three asleep together on the sofa.

Mistral has been trying to escape. Someone needs to tell this dog she's onto a good thing here. I told her if she keeps this up, she goes back to the Hell Hole. Only kidding... Hunting dogs have such a strong instinct to hunt and all around here are wild boar and all sorts of good smells so it's understandable. Anyway, she can't escape even tho she looks and hopes.

Progress. Now to air the car out and try and get rid of the smell. What fun...

If you think saving these two dogs is good news, I tell you it's nothing. Please take a look at Bibi from Belgrade's post today. This woman is a saint! 250 dogs and counting - all looking for a home.

24 comments:

spacedlaw said...

Poor creatures. I hope they will heal.

Sharon said...

Bless you for taking such good care of these poor dogs.

maria said...

You've earned your wings, Jilly!

Anonymous said...

Interestingly, one of my rescued Greyhounds arrived with a cough after drinking water. After watching her closely we noticed that when she drank, she submerged her entire nose into the water. We feel somehow her previous living conditions may have caused her to learn to drink in this manner and, of course, in doing so ingests water through her nose! It took time and over a year for her to "unlearn" that technique. Even now, occasionally (after 5 years with us) when she is excited or in a hurry she will cough after drinking. Just one of her pecularities. Jilly! want to check out a U.S. website which offers the same sort of services you do? They're called Snouts and Kisses and can be found at http://www.snoutsandkisses.com/ You might even find some photos of my fur kids there!

Pat said...

Poor dogs, but think how you are helping them. I have homed over a dozen dogs here; may not seem like much, but it's so difficult to find homes for dogs here. PLEASE see my post today (Thursday, January 8th).

Jilly said...

Bibi, I've written you separately and hope I can get some help to be given to this saint of a lady!

Nancy, Snouts and Kisses sounds so like here. Thanks for the link. How many dogs do they take at the same time?

Anonymous said...

Please keep up the updates -- am really enjoying them. Sorry about your car!

Sara said...

Jilly, I am so impressed by how great these sweet dogs are doing. I cannot imagine what type of a person would have done this to them - I hope they get the same someday!

Hugs to all your babies!!!

Teri said...

Thanks, Jilly, for taking time to write about Mama Mia and Mistral. We are rapt. (Their portrait on the terrace New Years Day haunts me - so apt, moving, and powerful.)

Virginia said...

Oh Jilly, Bless your sweet heart. I know about doggy throw up. My Lucy did that for while. Hounds want to hunt and there's no getting around. Love the new photos. Pray things willl continue to improve and the vet will have good news. Smooches to the pooches!
V

Neva said...

It sounds like they are improving but I would be shocked if there is no long term something from their horrible treatment until you got them....doggie throw up...yuck! hope the car airs out quickly!

PJ said...

From poo to leather seats? My goodness, M ans M have landed in the lap of luxury.
Sick pets are always so labor intensive. I have one that is slowly losing her battle with hyperthyroid. There's always some sort of mess to clean up but we've had her for 16+ years. She's our baby.
Jilly,how do we get this woman in Belgrade some help. Seriously, I would love to chip in on a donation.

Anonymous said...

Hi Jilly! Snouts & Kisses can take up to about 8 dogs at a time. They do a good screening ("pre-visit interview") and all their clients seem to get along just great. I know my 2 are excited to go visit--it's like a 2nd home...and exhausted when they return! Lynn & Ellen are wonderful and I previously sent them a link to your website so they could check out what you are doing 'across the pond'(-:

lady jicky said...

Jilly, give Mia and Mistral a big kiss. Its rotten going to the Vet but .... they are really looking so good!
I am sure in time there will be no "up chucking" in the car. I wonder if they have ever been in one - other than the drive to your home?

Belgrade Daily Photo said...

I like to hear that Mistral still has some mischief in her in spite of what she's been through. ;) Thank you for keeping us updated on their progress.

Tanya Breese said...

Oh poor Mia...I hope Mistral's checkup turns out ok. You are doing such a wonderful thing with these sweet little dogs :)

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

Thank you for keeping us posted on your dog rescue mission, and thank you for what you are doing.

My post today is about a Swiss woman who lived in Costa Rica and started taking care of orphaned or injured jaguars and then other animals. Local people started bringing her wild animals that needed care. She at times had as many as 160 animals in her care before they could be released back into the wild.

She passed away a few years ago, but her Las Pumas Rescue Center continues her work, with private donations and continuing financial support from her family.

Small City Scenes said...

Thank you so much for the continuing saga of M&M. You are a wonder and the dogs are reaping the rewards of kindness.. MB

Kate said...

Wow! Lots has happened since I last checked. Still sounds like lots of work, but amazing progress!!

Virginia said...

Just checking in on the girls. Hope you are all still doing well.
V

Katie said...

I winced to read of Mia's fear of men, the poor thing, it's horrible to imagine their previous life.
Picturing M,M&B snuggled up on the sofa together put the smile back on my face :-)

Julie said...

All still okay, Jilly?

Anonymous said...

Finally caught up on the story of Mia and Mistral. Jilly you have a lot of courage. I hope Mistral's fear of men improves, otherwise my computer support visits will be very noisy. Guess this means no more parties for a while. Take care.

Jilly said...

Thanks so much to everyone for your comments. The support is so much appreciated.

Update: Mistral goes to be spayed today. Mia is eating fabulously but still not putting on weight. the skin is somewhat better but a long way to go yet.

Anthony, are you kidding! You are my computer guru and central to my life! Mia will accept you...actually I'll probably pop her into the kitchen when you vist and slowly she'll get to know you. Why not wear a dress?!

And yes, there will be a party in May...

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