WHE have received some well-meant but disturbing comments from a few people people regarding Alices treatment. We assume these comments are coming from a place of concern for Alices well-being and are not meant as an attack on pit bull type dogs or on our choice to treat and diagnose Alices condition. So we want to clarify a few things and educate a bit :) 1.) Alices condition has not yet been diagnosed. We have SYMPTOMS but no diagnosis. Neurological issues are difficult to diagnose without in-depth analysis including bloodwork and many times MRI/CT scans. Because she presented with symptoms on a weekend, we have not had access to these diagnostics, so we do not yet know the exact cause of her ailment. 2.) There is NO breed of dog whose brains grow too large for their skulls. This is a myth. There are a few neurological conditions that are genetic and some that are related to age which cause the brain to swell or cause excess fluid on the brain but these are medical ailments and not related to the actual size of the dogs brain. 3.) American Pit Bull Terriers and other pit bull type dogs are NOT pre-disposed to unprovoked human aggression. 4.) The waves of aggression Alice is showing are a direct result of her neurological condition. SHE HAS NOT DISPLAYED ANY HUMAN-AGGRESSION IN THE PAST. She has several neuro symptoms including ataxia (lack of balance/coordination) dysmetria (inability to judge the rate, range, and force of her movements), and hypermetria (overreaching, or high stepping). The aggression that she has displayed may be a symptom in and of itself, but it is also equally as possible that it is a result of the sheer confusion of her situation. When animals (including humans) lose cognitive function, aggressive behavior is COMMON. Consider an elderly person suffering from dementia an example. They are often spiteful or physically aggressive in spurts. Sometimes as a result of their confusion and stress. For these reasons, and because it is a part of our mission statement, we will not consider euthanizing Alice unless a diagnosis of a 100% fatal condition is reached or our vet tells us that she is suffering beyond the scope of medical control and that the humane thing to do would be to alleviate her suffering. Please rest assured that Alice is in the hands of a brilliant veterinary staff and that decisions regarding her care are being made under the advisement of our vet by myself, a former ER Vet Tech. Thank you all for your concern and prayers! WHE LOVE YOU! Rafaela Johnson Director, Willys Happy Endings / Willys Happy Endings Maine
Posted on: Mon, 20 Jan 2014 01:34:35 +0000
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