ZAZU
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 was absolutely terrifying for him. Diagnosed by the Shelter Vet 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 incredible and well-versed volunteer picked up Zazu and kept him safe and loved until transport. Our volunteer Delta Dawn” flew to Las Vegas to meet his temporary foster and then return to Chicago Midway Airport with Zazu. He is such a sweet, quiet and calm older Wire you instantly fall in love with. He 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. 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.
GALLERY OF DOGS
ZAZU the distinguished gentleman is thrilled to be loved again and enjoying life in a home. It is apparent that he did have a home that somehow things took a wrong turn, his care neglected and he was abandoned at a Shelter. He knows his name and his way around the house. 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. He does sleep quite a bit, but when he is up and investigating, he makes the rounds in the huge back yard and deck. 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 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.
I decided to get a second opinion from a surgeon and after a 2 week wait to see my trusted vet and surgeon of over 30 years, 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.
Results of the full scan were back. There is a tumor in his spleen - 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 the stones. Dr. Navin was going out of town the following week and graciously fit him in that day for surgery. The surgery went well and Zazu did extremely well for the splenectomy and cystotomy. 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. The liver and 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 a brave boy. He has been on Tramadol for the pain, being blind and unsure why he was hurting I kept him as comfortable as can be.
FANTASTIC NEWS! The biopsy returned for Zazu's spleen. He had what is called Lymphoid Nodular Hyperplasia. It is the most common non-cancerous lesions found in the spleen and account for 20–41% of all splenic lesions. They are benign nodules/masses of clotted blood. Surgical removal of the spleen is curative. We were both so shocked and excited - what fabulous news. The stone analysis returned from Minnesota Urolith and they are ammonium urate crystals. We will do another urinalysis to see if he has produced any more than the few removed.
October 31st Zazu went to the eye specialist at Eye Care for Animals in St. Charles, Illinois. He enjoyed the car ride and then I walked right inside acting all cool. He had some tests first - a corneal stain, Schirmer Tear Test, Tonometry Diagnostic. Then examined by Dr. Beyer who was so nice. The diagnosis of the Keratoconjunctivitis was correct along with mild dacryocystitis. He also has end stage or hypermature cataracts. No glaucoma or ulcer. Meds of NeoPolyDex drops twice a day and the Optimmune ointment (tear stimulant) twice a day. November 1st I went to the groomer who said my fur was super thick but cut me short because of all the matting. I look so different but I still look so very handsome.
December 12 is recheck at the Eye Specialist and on the 13th we go back to the surgeon for follow up blood work and an exam to figure out what is hurting this little guy. It does not happen every day but often when he tries to get up after laying down. Hope we get some good news in time for Christmas!