Ellie 10-388 [1]

Sponsored by:

Robert & Mary, Sue & Terry, Karen & Mike, Jeannine & David, Joyce & Gene, Barb & Ken
~ In honor of Tamra, RAGOM Volunteer Extraordinaire ~

Ellie ‘was’ a stray who had been wandering around for a minimum of 2-3 weeks prior to coming into Ragom for rescue. The local shelter contacted me and stated that a family contacted the shelter and stated they had a ‘poor little senior golden (in their garage) that no one wanted or claimed who had been wandering around alone for at least 2+ weeks,  cold and very thin.’ Thank God this family was kind enough to take her into their heated garage prior to the blizzard on December 11th.   (We are guessing that she is perhaps around 7-10 years old). After contact by the shelter, Ellie was taken the next day to the vet’s office.  We were shocked what she weighed! Just 41# and was so thin and dirty.  She was understandably frightened and somewhat lame. An initial blood panel was performed on Ellie and she tested positive immediately for Lyme’s disease.  http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/lyme-disease-dogs-canine-lyme-disease?ecd=ppc_google_lyme+disease+in+dogs_Healthy+Dogs_Healthy+Dogs+-+Lyme+Disease_search&gclid=CJf7ndfXhaYCFcIKKgodgiARnA [2]

She definitely in a poor state of health and it was decided to hold off that day for vaccinations pending on how she did during the night at the vet office for observation.  After receiving a dose of pain meds and doxycycline for the Lyme’s, and of course food, she was better the next morning.  She was then vaccinated that following day.  Ellie was then taken to be groomed and bathed that next day also.   She was quite nervous about the ‘bath’ part but enjoyed being in the kennel with the warm blower drying her.  Ellie is now UTD and chipped and (we are fairly positive she is spayed)  *note: her dew claws had also been removed. 

The medications since rescue are:

Doxycycline (1.5 tabs) – (we had all the pills cut in half for easier dispensing)  which Ellie receives 2X a day in her food.  She did receive 1 Deremaxx a day for pain the first week (which really helped her feel better).  In addition, receives one Synov chew for her joints each day.  Ellie is missing 2 bottom teeth and her teeth are not the best and perhaps should be cleaned.  Her ears are fine and fecal was negative for any worms, etc.  Ellie should be re-tested with a blood panel in 3 weeks.  (around January 7th or so).  Ellie is on prescription Science Diet I/D (3-4 cups a day and we feed he 3X a day).

About Ellie:  She is a gentle soul.  She is still learning her name; she will pace wondering what to do and then settle down and sleep at times (nothing serious at all). She is not sensitive to noises and remains quite calm to new things/sounds.  She is fine with other dogs and great with our cats ( a submissive girl).  After leashing to go outside, Ellie has now come far enough where she does “ask’ to to potty outside and is doing just fine with that.  Ellie understandably wants someone right by her to be pet and yes, maybe some food?!  (Her waist is only 16” around…..very tiny, she is much thinner than she looks in photos)

A very typical golden girl.   To help Ellie put weight on will take some time and yes, she loves her kibble and snacks.  (Ellie gets approximately 1 – 1/14 cup kibble 3X a day (the prescription food).  She is very respectful of our resident dog’s food and has no issues other than being hungry!  Ellie really has a beautiful gate when trotted around the back yard.  In the week we have had her, she has made great strides. Her potty training is fine.  She is no longer crated but totally fine loose in the home.  Ellie will cozy up to you curled up in a small ‘ball’ perfectly content.  A true golden in need, just in time for the holiday.