I rarely post about our furkids because we're usually too involved outside or taking them on R-I-D-Es. We have three full-time Golden Retrievers - Cassia, Brooklyn, and Gracie. Each came from different situations and have wonderful personalities.
Cassia we purchased as a puppy from a local show family and comes from Champion pedigree. We adopted Brooklyn 6 months later from Gold Ribbon Rescue, a golden retriever rescue group here in Austin. 6 months after Brooklyn, we adopted Gracie from an owner who knew she couldn't give her puppy the attention she deserved.
We went to a picnic benefiting GRR last weekend, and they were looking for foster families as there was a backlog on surrenders and rescues from shelters. We opted to bring Cassidy into our home. She's approximately 12-18 months and part Great Pyrenees. She is docile, sweet temperament, and a regular velcro dog with the most gentle eyes.
Unfortunately, the poor angel has had issues. She's underweight. She came to us with coccidia. The day we brought her home she went straight to the vets with an infection from her spay surgery. She needed to be opened up and the vet cleaned out the infected tissue (thankfully not in her abdomen) so she stayed a few days. The next day, she went back to the vet with a fever and coughing. She was diagnosed with pneumonia and came home the next morning (Saturday). She had two antibiotics to take.
She ate sparingly and infrequently for us. She liked a specific treat in the morning, but by afternoon would turn away. The weekend showed a little bit of energy in her steps and some interest in her other hairy housemates. Yesterday, she vomited her antibiotics and did not eat in the evening. This morning, her nose was noticabely dry and very warm. When she shivered, I contacted the medical coordinator, who asked me to call a different vet (the first was on vacation). I took her in this afternoon and explained all that had happened and all of her symptoms.
He looked at me and said, "She sounds like a prime candidate for distemper. A dog I saw just last week from that same shelter tested positive."
Now that we're home (with more medications - 4 pills and a cough syrup) I can see the signs. A little shuffle in her step. The constant discharge from her nose. Lack of appetite. High fever. A shudder from her back leg. It's heart-breaking what this special little lady will be going through in the coming days. I'm sending extra special prayers for her to experience as little pain as possible.
