Wire Fox Terrier Rescue Midwest Adoption Gallery 3

ZAZU is a senior Wire Fox Terrier who found himself surrendered to a Shelter in Las Vegas, Nevada. They were concerned about him as he was very fearful and trembling in his kennel. When you go from a home to shelter kennel and being blind, it is absolutely terrifying for him. Diagnosed as blind from KCS (Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, also known as dry eye) and had not managed for quite some time. He was posted as a Rescue Transfer only and was slated to be euthanized September 1st. Shelters require that you be a Partner which entails completing a lengthy application, licenses, supplying your vet references and other character references before approval to pull and transfer. Time was of the essence and an amazing Partner Rescue did not blink to assist WFTRM in tagging and accepting Zazu on Friday evening. In the morning Zazu’s medical history was sent for review and to confirm the acceptance. An appointed time is then scheduled for the pickup. An incredible and well-versed volunteer picked up Zazu and kept him safe and loved until transport. They even stopped for chicken nuggets on their ride home and she noticed – he knows what a drive thru is! Early Thursday morning our operative as she wants to be called “Delta Dawn”, flew to Las Vegas to meet his temporary foster and then return to Chicago Midway Airport. They had the entire row to themselves which was great. Zazu is such a sweet, quiet and calm older Wire you instantly fall in love with. On his ride from Midway to WFTRM Chicago, I had some juicy Costco rotisserie chicken for him which he gobbled down. He is just precious and reminds me so much of my beautiful heart boy who was blind – only I spelled his name Zazoo. His first day at Rescue, I let Zazu just decompress, and he loved walking around the yard, the smells and just following me. You cannot hide from them, the sniffer is so powerful. And just like the original Z, he is confident and a little cautious but gets around very well. He was listed at 9 and being an owner surrender it should be accurate. He does seem older to me maybe 12 but perhaps because he has been neglected for quite some time.

ZAZU the distinguished gentleman is thrilled to be loved again and enjoying life in a home. Getting to know him, it is apparent that he did have a home that somehow things took a wrong turn and he was abandoned at a Shelter. He knows his name and his way around the house although blind. Heartbreaking that he was abandoned at a Shelter at his age and in his condition and was so scared. He is just the most precious boy to pick up and kiss his neck and have around. Zazu is like goldilocks and loves all the big cushy beds and must try out each one. He does sleep quite a bit, not sure if that was his usual routine where he was previously, but when he is up and investigating, he makes the rounds in the huge back yard, deck and even house. He has been blind for some time as he is so acclimated to sensing objects and paths. I had been worried about him not eating and took him right away up to the animal hospital. I wanted to get him some I.V. fluids as he seemed dehydrated and to get his blood work done. His blood panel returned with low red blood counts across the board and he is anemic. Radiographs were done and this vet felt there is also a mass on his liver, mucocele in the gallbladder, heart slightly enlarged, bladder stones and because of the spreading, he felt this to be cancer. I was heartbroken over this. Since Zazu was already diagnosed with the KCS in Las Vegas, I decided to get the Optimmune from Midwest to treat his eyes. Zazu is all tail wags and sits up every morning when I say Good Morning. He listens and loves to be talked to. Being not on to give up easily, I am taking him for a second opinion with a surgeon.

Zazu and I had to wait 2 weeks to see my trusted vet and surgeon of over 30 years and we had our appointment on Friday October 4th. Based on the x-rays he did not feel that the spleen was enlarged much or there was anything in the liver. The heart was normal, he sounds normal and his eyes had the cataracts but no ulcer or glaucoma. I asked about him crying when he tries to get up out of the bed. His back legs seemed a bit stiff but hips and knees look good. It may be a disc in his spine. We have scheduled a full ultrasound for Zazu with radiologist report on Tuesday October 8th. I have renewed optimism for Zazu.

Big developments on October 10th after the full scan results returned. There is a tumor in his spleen - not too huge about 3 centimeters. Liver is enlarged but there are no nodules. Lymph nodes are good. Stomach is normal. He does have a couple bladder stones. The spleen should be removed and so I asked when can he have surgery. Doctor is going out of town the following week and I asked - oh darn can this wait a few weeks. Here is how awesome my vet is - he is going to take him today and fit him in. We immediately got in the car! The surgery went very well and Zazu did extremely well for the splenectomy. His spleen had two tumors actually, the overall size of the spleen was small so his incision is not very big. Dr. Navin did not like the look of the tumors and they are being sent out to pathology. But given the size he said we probably caught it early. The liver is fine, lymph nodes are fine. He also had some small stones removed from his bladder and one is being sent to Minnesota for type determination. He walked out of the animal hospital like nothing happened today - he is such a brave boy. He was thirsty and a little hungry and now in his bed resting. I did have to go back for some Tramadol after his pain injection wore off – he was just beside himself crying. I am beyond thrilled for Zazu and hoping he has many more years of being pampered and loved. Thank you so much everyone for your thoughts and prayers. This little boy has some healing to do but we sure appreciate all the love and support.