ALL ABOUT CHUCK Most of you have been following Chucks progress with us, but to give a quick background for the rest-Chuck and his sister came in to us from a downstate animal control where his breeder dumped them because he could not sell them. Stella had an overbite (which has NOT affected her in any way and she has been adopted) and we were told Chuck was blind. As soon as he came in to us, we knew it was much more serious than him not being able to see (which, btw, he can see to a certain extent and is not totally blind). We took him immediately to our vet, then to a neurologist who diagnosed hydrocephalus (water on the brain) which was severely impacting his brain activity. A shunt was needed. A shunt is a tube that is lodged in the brain itself and threads down through his neck in to his abdomen. The fluid drains off the brain and in to his abdomen which then gets absorbed by his body. We went to three separate neurology departments, making sure this was the best thing for him (they all confirmed it HAD to be done or he would die) and discussed with all three the best time to do it. If we could wait, that would be best as he was still a little puppy and had a lot of growing to do and we certainly did not want him to outgrow the shunt. We decided to wait a few months given he was doing so well despite his condition. But then Chuck had a stroke and it no longer was about timing-we either did the surgery right then or hed not make it. This was a tricky surgery to begin with-its brain surgery on a puppy-but the stroke complicated things. The neurologist was very upfront with us about his chances but we had to try. And because of your generosity, we could financially afford to do so (weve raised over $5000.00 in donations for Chucks medical expenses which, so far, are about $9,000.00 Thank you all!!!!!). Chuck came through the surgery beautifully and after some recuperation, became the Chuck we all know and love. He has been weaned off of much of the initial meds (some hell need to be on for life), and he is now nearing the end of his full recovery. You can see the video of him playing with his foster sister Princess to see he appears to be a normal, happy, healthy puppy now. All thanks to you :) So, now our thoughts turn to Chucks future. He still needs to get his final shots and be neutered-two things we will space apart to ensure no reactions. And well be neutering him at the neurologists in order to ensure there are no complications. But once those things are done, we are in agreement that Chuck will be available for adoption. We were not sure this was going to be Chucks outcome-we did not know if his medical situation would improve to the point he would be available for adoption. But he has and we are so completely thrilled. Chuck is not ever going to be a normal Siberian, though, and there are several things a potential home for him needs to know and be capable of doing. Because he has a shunt-a foreign object in his head-he is at great risk for seizures. Because of this, he is on anti seizure meds and will be for life. They need to be given three times a day, evenly spaced apart so a home with routine is essential. He cannot miss these meds, period. He has not had any seizures with us, and we want to keep it that way. The shunt itself has no maintenance, but well want someone to be able to physically and financially take him to the neurologist once a year for checkups. Wed prefer it to be the neurologist in the Waukesha, WI area, but would be OK with a home in Chicago or Milwaukee areas as well. We will not send Chuck out past these areas as the neurologists we have used are here (he has seen three total). It is possible that the shunt could get blocked or need to be replaced so someone with finances that could support that down the road is essential. We wish love were enough, but Chuck is a medical dog and some degree of savings for his care is needed. He is only on the anti seizure meds now which are not expensive, but that could change. Chucks shunt means he can never, ever have pressure on his neck (it would pinch the shunt closed) so he cannot wear a collar. He must have a harness. He also cannot play normally with other dogs as the default dog play is neck grabs. This is going to be the hardest restriction for Chuck-he LOVES other dogs and so wants to play with them, but he just cannot. One little tug by another dog could compromise the shunt. You can see the video here of him playing with Princess, the 13yr old in his foster home and this is the most he can ever play with another dog. For that reason, he can never go to a dog park, and we are looking for a home with no other dogs or perhaps only a sedate senior so that dog play is not going to be a problem. We are going to be firm on this-other young, active dogs are just too much of a risk for him. We want a home with a physical fence as he can never be on a tie out, obviously. No young kids, either-it is not realistic to expect them to know they need to be gentle with a dog that wants to play, so only older kids in the home. Because Chucks brain was not allowed to grow before he came to us, he does have some mental deficits. Housetraining is still a work in progress. We were told it will take some time for him to get it. He is doing much better and learning, but it will not be realistic to expect him to be housetrained in a week or so. It takes Chuck longer to learn. He has still not figured out steps, for instance. Patience will be required in his forever home as hell need a lot of time to do things that come naturally to most Siberians. He has limited vision but gets around just fine. Now that the fluid is drained from his brain we are less concerned with bumping his head (which he does often-hes a puppy!) and our main medical concern is just making sure he does not injure his neck in any way due to the shunt. So, his ideal home will have: A fenced yard, no other dogs or a mellow senior, Calm home-no young kids, lots of patience, as little steps as possible, reliable schedule to give meds (Chuck is fully crate trained, however, so a home that works is just fine), financial security due to his somewhat uncertain medical future, lives in the Milwaukee/Chicago area, and someone who understands that a special needs dog takes quite a bit of work, but is SO SO worth it in the end. We know, its a lot to ask. But heres the thing-Chuck is special. And we dont just mean because of his medical needs. There is something about this pup that touches everyone who meets him. It is like he is incapable of anger or naughtiness or any negative emotion. Chuck is just such a happy loving little guy and the moment anyone meets him, you fall in love. Every vet appointment he has, the staff come out in full force, all running to say hi to Chuck. Everyone loves Chuck. There is absolutely nothing not to love about him. He is unique, he is special and we was put here for a reason. We are looking for a home as special as he is. So, thats Chucks story, made possible by all of you. We cannot thank you all enough.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Dec 2014 16:19:19 +0000
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