Wilson's Foster Buddies:

• Amy Campbell
• Lisa Rumble
• John & Helen Benney
• Bill & Cathy Nicholov

Wilson is Adopted!

The lovable little cherub has gone to charm his new family. He will be sharing digs with his new pug sister, Chloe. She is 10 years old and also has hip problems. The family is familiar with pugs and, specifically, those with mobility issues. Wilson will be charging down the back yard ramp they have built that will take a Puggie from the back deck to the big back yard.

Carlos, Mariela and Cecilia will be giving Wilson all that extra love and devotion and ensuring he will have a long and healthy life. And don't be surprised if we see that sweet face and a Pugalug in the not too distant future.

Wilson and Chloe

Wilson is ready to warm his way into your heart. He is walking much better now that the anti-inflammatory medication is relieving the pain in his hips. He loves to go to the park and socialize but sometimes he can't walk back home. So the adopter will need to have some kind of stroller or wagon, unless you are using your car.

When it's time for a walk, Wilson is the first to the door to get his harness on. He will scamper down the hall in his excitement. But he has to be carried down the steps. This is in part due to his hips and also his PK gives him limited vision for stepping down. He can go down 3 or 4 steps but not a big staircase. He seems to go for a longer walk in the morning. When he wants to go into the stroller, he will stop and then walk toward you to be lifted (sometimes he just stops to look around and get his bearings).

Also, because of his limited vision he needs a fully fenced in yard. He will wander off in a direction that he thinks is right but may be the opposite to where you are. So, in the park, he has to be watched so he does not end up following another person, thinking it's you.

He will need to have Optimmune applied to his eyes twice a day to help with the PK. And he takes ½ tablet of the anti-inflammatory Deramaxx each day. He will need to take this his whole life but, in consultation with your vet, you can try and vary the dosage.

Wilson is now on Orijen - no grain Kibble. Any affects on his skin won't be noticeable for another month. So the adopter will have to monitor the skin condition to see in an allergen is causing a problem. If his allergy returns, the adopter will have to go back to a raw diet.

Wilson is fully house trained, and loves to sleep near you when you are home. When he is alone, he will sleep to pass the time. He is a quiet dog, does not bark out the window or at noises in the hall. He will go on his back for belly rubs and kick his legs up in the air. In the last week, he has started a tendency to soft bite when he is in this position. I've been working at curtailing that and promoting the positive behaviour.

Update, September 19, 2009

Wilson came through his surgery without any complications. The best news is that there is nothing wrong with either his ligaments or patella. His slight limp is from the hip dysplasia. And the medication to relieve the pain has meant that Wilson is going for longer walks now before he needs to have a rest. He walked from Eglinton to Davisville to go to the Usher's Animal Hospital for his neutering. He has even started to join in the play games and wrestles a bit with Odin.

The Usher staff remarked on just how well behaved and sociable Wilson is. He did not put up any fuss during the time he was there. Wilson is a quiet pug. He rarely barks. However, when he woke up in a crate, after the surgery, he let everyone know to come running.

He had some dental work done while he was under the anesthetic. The teeth and gums are in good shape for the most part. Tartar on the back molars was cleaned up. There was one incisor that was wobbling back and forth so it was removed. Other than that, with regular dental care he should have his full teeth for the rest of his life.

The un-descended testicle did not present a problem with the neutering. It was removed with the one incision.  Wilson was very happy to see me when I picked him up. He did his little squeal of excitement as he spun in a circle.

Dr. Usher examined the hairless patches on his skin and reported that there is new hair growth. I'm going to transition him to a no grain kibble and monitor his reaction. If there is an allergen in the kibble, then the effect will not show up for a month or so. This will have to be monitored by his new parents.

Wilson will be appearing on CP24 Breakfast Show on Friday, September 25. He will be on between 8:30 and 9:00 along with Emi. He will be ready to adopt at that time.

This last vet bill came to $770. You can help cover this cost be becoming a Foster Buddy to Wilson. Click at the top or right of this page on the Canada Helps graphic to become a foster buddy.

Update, September 5, 2009

Wilson has become more lively, energetic and playful over the last couple of weeks. This is a good sign that the diet is improving his immune system and overall health. His white blood cell count was rechecked and everything is back to normal. His skin continues to look better each week and I can see some hair growth beginning in the dark patches.

I've changed the skin balm formula - thanks to Jane in Kincardine, and her health food store, for the suggestion. Instead of the petroleum based Glaxal ointment, I'm using coconut oil (Omega Nutrition's organic Coconut Oil). Among it's many healing ingredients, coconut oil contains Lauric acid - an anti-viral, anti-bacterial resource which is particularly helpful for immune suppressed animals (and people).

The energy is readily apparent when he gets to the park. We now have a stroller for him so he does not have to walk all the way to the park. The stroller was donated to us by the Canine Wellness Centre so they deserve a big thanks. Wilson lets me know when he wants to get into the stroller. I don't think he ever had this option before in his life. He seems to have just adjusted to the discomfort and pain of walking. So now, when he begins to hurt, he just stops. I call him over to me and then put him in the stroller. He also lets me know when he wants out by standing up in the stroller.

By the time he gets to the park, he is bunny hopping around with the other dogs, enjoying the socializing of people and sniffing around the perimeter of trees as we walk around. He is walking longer stretches between breaks so another sign of improvement.

And I get stopped more often on the street, as people joke about Wilson getting to have a ride. I smile but then explain about the hips, the rescue and the lack of medical attention which could have saved him. So I'm able to turn what looks like a funny pug in a stroller into an educational moment.

Upon discussion with the vet, Wilson Hip Dysplasia is bilateral and extensive. The bone growth is completed and the hip sockets are set. Although Wilson, could have the FMO surgery (removing the heads of the femoral bone so they fit into the socket) at his age, there is no guarantee it would relieve the pain of walking.

As for the left hind leg, it will be checked when Wilson goes in for his neutering. Because examining the joint will be painful, it's best to do this while he is under the anesthetic.

He has adjusted well to his new home life. I'm seeing a little bit more of his own personality each week. When I get home from work he spins in a circle and makes a crazy, little squeal of delight (I'll try and get a movie clip of it). He enjoys laying next to me on the couch but if he gets too hot he will stand up and wait for me to lift him off the couch. As we all leave the apartment to go for a walk, he now runs down the hallway alongside Odin - giving him little bashes in the side - like a bumper car.

His weight has not changed so he is getting the right amount of food and exercise. I was hoping that he would not gain weight with being in the stroller the past week. But the energy he puts into playing at the park burns the calories.

Wilson is now scheduled for his neutering on 17th. I'll have an update after that.

Blood recheck and examination came to $135.

Update, August 26, 2009

Wilson continues to endear himself to everyone he meets. His friendly charm, quiet nature and gently loving eyes hides the pain and discomfort Wilson has been living with.

His skin has begun the healing process and is already showing signs of improvement. The tick that was found on him was not the kind that carries Lyme. However, it was a Woodchuck tick. This kind does not usually live on an animal's body. It lives in the woodchuck's den.

Wilson is enjoying his raw diet. A kind Pug Angel donated a large selection of quality meats and bones. So Wilson has now tried chicken, beef, turkey and lamb, including a small selection of vegetables with no reactions. He energy level has increased and he weighs 8.9 Kgs.

The infection in his left ear has cleared but his right ear is still clogged. The medication treatment still continues. He's very good at getting his ear and eye medication - sitting quietly and getting a little treat at the end.

I'd been noticing that after he got up from a lengthy sleep, he would be hobbling, avoiding putting weight on his left back leg. After walking around a bit he would begin using it again. Watching closely, I could see he was still not putting his full weight on as he walked (only when he cocked his leg at a tree). On the weekend Wilson and I were at the Doggie Spa Event at Paws Way. The canine masseuse that was there gave Wilson and extended massage.

On Tuesday we went to the vet's to have the leg checked. He was wincing as she moved the knee and hip joint around. An x-ray was taken and showed what Wilson's further problem is. The femur bone heads are not set properly into the socket. They are a little outward - creating a bigger gap between the ball and socket. Also there are boney growths on the head which are causing further discomfort. It most likely causes him pain to walk for extended periods. And when he is sleeping the heads move into one position. When he gets up to walk they move into a position which causes him pain. He is now taking an anti-inflammatory medication which it is hoped will relieve some of the discomfort.

Poor guy gets the news of no Lyme Disease but we learn he has been living with painful hips all this time. I'm going to investigate Wilson's hip issues further and report back in a couple of weeks.

You would not guess to look at him that problem is going on. Every time I get up to go into another room, Wilson gets up, follows me in and then plunks his butt down and looks up at me with those soft eyes. To meet him is to fall instantly in love with him. Many people stop me on the street to ask about Wilson - which gives me a chance to hand out a business card.

The examination, x-rays and medication came to $290. So if you want to help Wilson's recovery, please consider becoming a foster buddy. See the buddy page for details

Foster Update - August 17

Wilson was at the vet on Friday getting a checkup, blood and fecal tests, eyes, ears and skin looked at.

He was very good and everyone adored the Wooly Mammoth. He sat quietly, unperturbed as he was examined. His PK has developed and so he is on the Optimume eye ointment. His ear's were still infected so he gets drops twice a day to clear that up. His undescended testicle is out of the abdominal cavity. However we have to wait on one more test result before we can schedule a neutering.

As he was being examined, Dr. Usher did touch a hot spot and Wilson's hind legs went down to the table into a sitting position. He agreed it was most likely a reaction to being touched. But he did notice that Wilson had a slight wobbly gait so we will have another look at that at the next visit.

Wilson has had no problems walking when we are out, nor with going up the 2 flights of stairs.

They took Wilson to the back room to get his rabies vaccination and draw blood for wellness and heartwork test.

While I was waiting Dr. Usher came in alone, with a closed fist. He said while he was combing Wilson he found this... and showed me the fleas scurrying around. So we argreed he will be going on Revolution. Then he came back about 5 minutes later to tell me he had found ticks.

Poor Wilson has everything but the kitchen sink in his life (well, we did do the Aveeno baths but not in the sink). And, after 4 baths where he was submerged up to his neck for 10 minutes - you'd think that would have drowned the critters.

So I went for a coffee while the Oatmeal Cookie got a flea and tick bath. He was quite the little fluff ball when I picked him up. But quite happy to see me and obviously very relieved to not that those things on his back.

The tick is being sent off for identification and testing of Lyme disease. Chances are that it is not the type of tick to carry the disease but this is standard procedure. His heatworm tests came back negative (yeah) although his white blood cell count is a little high. So that will be rechecked. Fecal tests were negative for parasites (yeah).

So everything added up, exam, medications, bath and tests - Wilson's vet total is $578. But the utter peace he found later that night while sleeping is priceless.

Foster Dad Larry

Foster Update - August 11

And he sleeps right beside me when I'm at the computer. I can now lean down and give him belly rubs without his hind legs going all haywire. Imagine a pug never having to enjoy a belly rub.

He has no problems walking up the stairs after the walk - and the are terrazzo. It's just the landing to go down stairs. And he does not want to walk down them either. It may be his eyesight is not giving him the depth perception to navigate down. We will have his eyes checked when we go to Usher Animal Hospital on Friday.

Foster Update - August 9

Then, around 4 am I awoke with a start as he was scratching, shaking and whimpering but could not settle down. I got him up and made a batch of the skin balm - recipie is below.

I applied it all over his coat - rubbing it into the skin. That balm, plus the gentle massaging helped to calm him down and he was soon snoring on the kitchen floor. I picked him up, put him back into bed and he slept through until the morning.

I'm now feeding him just raw chicken wings - nothing else for the time being. After 24 hours, I notice he is not scratching as often - still doing it, but not with the regularity he was showing the first 8 hours with me.

He does seem to have a fear or reluctance toward terrazzo floors and stairs. He comes to the landing and stops suddenly on the carpet. This morning ai was able to coax him on the landing with postive rewards but he is afraid to go down the stairs. Yet he has no qualms about going down the concrete stairs. When I first got him he would also not up the terrazzo stairs but we worked on that and he now happily follows the boys up. So it's just something new that is making him uncertain.

Today I also gave him a bath using Dr. Bronnor's Castille soap - Tea Tree organic oils. Then applied a Rosemary Mint conditioner to help cool his skin. He sat beside me after that, had a nap and did not scratch at all.

Here's the skin balm I'm using:

10 drops Lavender essential oil
10 drops of Tea Tree oil
1 tablespoon of Coconut Oil (found in health food stores)
(if not available, use Glaxal Base - found in drug stores)
1 capsule of Acidophilus

Mix well and apply on the hot spots, hairless patches. Rub into the darkened, affected skin. Store in the fridge when not in use.

Introduction - August 8

Even as I'm writing this, Wilson is trying to have a nap beside me but he gets an itch and then starts scratching. Part of it is his nervousness and confusion to a new situation. He was with his previous owner for only 2 months. His previous history is unknown.

But, it won't be long before that itching stops as I transition Wilson to a raw diet. I will be eliminating all known allergens and get him on a single source protein for the next little while. I've applied the lavender and tea tree oil skin balm all over him. He was really good and sat quietly while I did this. I know my rubbing his skin must have been bothering him but I think he realized it was a good thing he was getting on his skin.