Penny 13-024

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Profile

Sponsored by:

Judith Cummings

A portion of Penny's medical care was paid for by a generous grant from the Golden Retriever Foundation's April Fund


March 27, 2013

Welcome to RAGOM, Penny!

Penny is an 8 year old spayed Golden Retriever that was surrendered to RAGOM because her owner thought she spent too much time alone since he traveled for work. Penny has lived her entire life outside, but she has quickly learned how great it is being an indoor dog! She has not had a single accident in the house. She is a very sweet and loving girl, and she gets along great with other dogs, cats, and kids! Penny is microchipped, up to date on vaccines, and heartworm negative. She weighs 68 pounds, but her ideal weight is probably closer to 60 pounds. She had 2 suspicious masses that were looked at, one on her right side was a benign Histiocytoma (was removed and sent in for identification) and one on her left rear leg was a lick granuloma with an abscess under it (abscess was drained and is healing nicely.) Penny’s senior blood work, including thyroid, was all within the normal range.

Several years ago, Penny was diagnosed with Masticatory Muscle Myositis . She was treated for this medical condition, but the muscles of her head atrophied and it gives her head a sunken in look. Her eyes are sunk in to her head since there is a lack of muscle behind them. Because of this, she developed entropion and Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (dry eye). Penny gets an eye ointment to help with the dry eye and is also on an antibiotic eye ointment to clear any possible infection.

When Penny first arrived, she was very painful and her eyes had a thick discharge. After meeting with our RAGOM vet, we decided to put her on Tramadol, a pain medication, to make her more comfortable. We added an eye lubricant that I put in several times per day, in addition to her other eye medications. In the 12 days that Penny has been with me, I have noticed a big improvement in the amount of pain that she is in and how much her eyes bother her. Now that she’s on pain meds and is regularly getting her eye meds (not to mention living inside), she seems much more comfortable and there is minimal eye discharge now.

Penny will be moving to a new foster home this week in the Twin Cities so she can see an eye specialist to see what treatment options are available for her. She could definitely use a sponsor or two to help cover her mounting medical bills!

At a Glance #13-024

Golden Retriever Born: May 2005
Female 60 lbs

Status: Deceased

Profile

Sponsored by:

Judith Cummings

A portion of Penny's medical care was paid for by a generous grant from the Golden Retriever Foundation's April Fund


March 27, 2013

Welcome to RAGOM, Penny!

Penny is an 8 year old spayed Golden Retriever that was surrendered to RAGOM because her owner thought she spent too much time alone since he traveled for work. Penny has lived her entire life outside, but she has quickly learned how great it is being an indoor dog! She has not had a single accident in the house. She is a very sweet and loving girl, and she gets along great with other dogs, cats, and kids! Penny is microchipped, up to date on vaccines, and heartworm negative. She weighs 68 pounds, but her ideal weight is probably closer to 60 pounds. She had 2 suspicious masses that were looked at, one on her right side was a benign Histiocytoma (was removed and sent in for identification) and one on her left rear leg was a lick granuloma with an abscess under it (abscess was drained and is healing nicely.) Penny’s senior blood work, including thyroid, was all within the normal range.

Several years ago, Penny was diagnosed with Masticatory Muscle Myositis . She was treated for this medical condition, but the muscles of her head atrophied and it gives her head a sunken in look. Her eyes are sunk in to her head since there is a lack of muscle behind them. Because of this, she developed entropion and Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (dry eye). Penny gets an eye ointment to help with the dry eye and is also on an antibiotic eye ointment to clear any possible infection.

When Penny first arrived, she was very painful and her eyes had a thick discharge. After meeting with our RAGOM vet, we decided to put her on Tramadol, a pain medication, to make her more comfortable. We added an eye lubricant that I put in several times per day, in addition to her other eye medications. In the 12 days that Penny has been with me, I have noticed a big improvement in the amount of pain that she is in and how much her eyes bother her. Now that she’s on pain meds and is regularly getting her eye meds (not to mention living inside), she seems much more comfortable and there is minimal eye discharge now.

Penny will be moving to a new foster home this week in the Twin Cities so she can see an eye specialist to see what treatment options are available for her. She could definitely use a sponsor or two to help cover her mounting medical bills!

Updates

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Penny made a visit to Dr. O. to remove the stitches after the Blaine Chuck & Don's Meet & Greet. Dr. O. had one word for her recovery-----OUTSTANDING. Penny's vision is super. She no longer needs any ointment or drops. Her only restriction is open water. Because her eye sockets are so deep, stuff can accumulate & cause problems. She can go in a pool, however.

I have to share a photo of Penny with another Penny she met at C & D. That's my two cents worth today.

Thank you again to Penny's sponsor Judith Cummings and a Penny wink to Leslie L.

Penny met her forever family at Churck & Don's. She is super blessed to be a member of the S family. Congrats Katie, Aaron & Charlie.

Friday, May 3, 2013

Penny's surgery went well. Thanks to your support and pawsitive thoughts, her recovery has been great.

Her only medicine is a triple antibotic ointment applied 3-4 times daily. She is used to years of eye applications so she sits patiently like a little statue. Her stitches will come out May 7. Penny's eyesite is keen. I wouldn't be surprised if she has perfect vision. And she is pain and irritation free thanks to Penny's wonderful sponsor Judith and our special RAGOM donors.

We've been out walking almost every day (weather permitting) meeting the neighbors.


Penny loves meeting everyone, kids, adults, dogs, cats. She is a very social lady who enjoys life inside and outside.

Her hair is growing back from the benign cyst and her belly and legs are developing beautiful feathering. I think this is due to better nutrition, living inside and and Omega 3 pill with every meal.

I wish I could get a good photo of her dark pink belly of beautiful white hair and dark freckles. She is such a pretty girl.

Penny will be at the Blaine Chuck & Don's tomorrow from 1-3. Please come and meet this sweet girl.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

We had a golden time at the meet & greet last Saturday. Penny met some wonderful friends. You'll have another opportunity to meet this xtra special girl on Sat. April 20 at "Its a Pets Life. She'll be there 12:00-3:00.

Penny has been blessed with a sponsor/angel. Thank you Judith. Penny sends you a golden paw and gentle nudges. (she is very stingy with kisses.) but she will share her ball with you....:-)

Thanks to you and her donors, Penny is scheduled for surgery next Monday, April 22. Please keep her in your prayers.

Penny has settled down quite a bit with MiMi but she keeps a watchful eye on her, always ready for a quick chase or snack attack.

But her favorite treat is sharing with her sisters. Always a surprise. They never know what goody is coming their way. Thanks for your support and pawsitive thoughts for Miss Pretty Penny.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Penny is from heaven and she is a Minnesota girl now. She's been with us 2 weeks and is an absolute joy. Pretty Penny is a happy, healthy spirited loving dog that will fit in any home. She loves to be with her people outside playing or calmly sitting or lying near you. She loves to play ball and actually returns it. She loves going on walks. Please insert "Penny's first walk" and running in the backyard. She sits and takes treats gently and is learning to catch them. Penny is an excellent co-pilot, either sitting or lying tethered in the passenger seat.

Last weekend Penny attended her first RAGOM event at the Arboretum.

She shares toys, bones, everything with our RAGOM girls, Meggers & Heather. And she LOVES antlers.

She never growls or guards. Penny would be fine with another dog or as an only dog. She plays with our cat, MiMi sometimes a little too much, but kitty antagonizes her too. She would easily adapt to any family. I don't think she needs a fence because we haven't had any critters to chase, so this could change. Penny is a "go with the flow" kinda girl. She isn't scared of the snow blower or the vacuum. She rarely barks.

She stands and looks out the door when she needs to go outside. Remember Penny lived outside her entire life so she didn't give signals. She's had no problem with free roam when I've been gone for 6 hours.

Her stitches were removed and it is healing perfectly. She had another quick vet check and now weighs 67.3. The vet said she could lose 3 more lbs and be her ideal weight. She is getting a defined waist and adding muscle from her backyard play and walks. The prescription eye ointments were expensive. Because her tear test was normal, her eye specialist has suspended that ointment and eye drops and suggested an inexpensive over the counter lubricating ointment 3 x per day This is wonderful because the drop schedule was 4-6 times a day/every 3 hours. She seems to be pain free so she has been weaned off the Tramadol. The last couple days there has been a slight discharge in each eye. Her eyesight is good but the eyelashes scratching the corneas are still a constant irritation so surgery has been recommended to eliminate that discomfort. The surgery estimate is approx. $900. Penny would love a sponsor to help her with that. I know she'll love you forever and bring you good luck.

Penny is a very smart girl. She understands the important stuff ie; "get outta there, & "get in here" "off" "down", "sit", "10 more minutes" "leave momma's kitty alone", "Stop", "excuse me" and most important "go back to sleep". Penny is a back warmer and bed hog. She sleeps soundly through the nite and wakes me up with gentle kisses and nudges. She is the softest, prettiest & sweetest Penny you will ever meet.

Penny Penny, Pretty Penny will be at the Edina Chuck and Dons 12:30-2:30.

Thanks for reading about this xtra special sweetheart.