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Likes: I love treats and chews but nothing manufactured in China or with Chinese ingredients (read my "arrival story").
Pet-Peeves: I hate medication, even heartworm preventive! I also don't like being told "no" or having my nails trimmed. I'm tolerant but my feelings are easily hurt.
Favorite Food: Taste of the Wild, but I much prefer home cooked meals!
Favorite Walk: Wherever my tiny legs take me!
Arrival Story: Bailey was brought into Round Rock, TX animal control as a stray. We began fostering her on June 4, 2006. She was so malnourished that our veterinarian worried she might suffer organ damage. Bailey's bloodwork indicated normal organ function, but, fragile and scared, she was a finicky eater. You can imagine our relief when we discovered that she LOVED Bestro's Chicken Jerky dog treats sold at Walmart. Given that these treats are made of 100% chicken breast, according to the packaging, we believed them to be a healthy snack. With a combination of treatment for parasites, high quality food, and frequent snacks of Bestro's Chicken Jerky dog treats, Bailey was steadily gaining weight. Unfortunately, about six weeks after we began fostering her, she became gravely ill and was hospitalized. Despite extensive diagnostic testing, our veterinarians were baffled and did not think she would survive. In only a week's time Bailey lost a third of her body weight and each day she was becoming less responsive. Barely able to lift her head, Bailey still greeted us by gently wagging her tail. She was still fighting so our veterinarian continued supportive care while relentlessly pursuing a diagnosis. She wanted to do one last test. It was for Fanconi's Syndrome. This is a congenital disease, most often affecting Basenjis, but in rare cases it can also be acquired. It was not known to have ever affected a Chihuahua. It seems far fetched so you can imagine our surprise when the urine strip test came back positive. The good news was that Bailey might survive. The bad news was that it would require a rigorous treatment protocol, including approximately 20 pills daily, possibly for the rest of her life. Fortunately, she responded to the treatment and, once stabilized, Bailey was sent home. The cause of the acquired disease was discovered much later through an American Veterinary Medical Association report (see http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/ oct07/x070917a.asp), linking certain chicken jerky treats to Fanconi's Syndrome. Since then, we've connected with many owners of dogs suffering from acquired Fanconi's Syndrome, each and every one having consumed these treats. While we don't know what the future holds for Bailey, she is currently thriving and enjoying every minute of her life.
Bio: Adoptions within a 100 mile radius of Austin, TX are preferred. Exceptions will only be considered, under the right circumstances, for applicants within a 200 mile radius of Austin, TX. Please visit either of our websites: http://www.jack.petfinder.com or http://www.jacksangels.org to view pictures and biographies of our available pets and to read about our adoption process and requirements.
Forums Motto: Fanconi's Syndrome Survivor!
The Last Forum I Posted In: Fact:
I've Been On Dogster Since:
I could see the fear and sadness in my foster human's eyes. They were expecting the worst. I wasted away to just two pounds and twelve ounces, more than a pound less than my ideal weight, and just over one weeks time. Despite the wonderful care at Century Animal Hospital, I just wasn't getting better. One test after another came back normal.
My foster humans were frustrated and losing hope when the vet decided to screen for just one more thing, Fanconi's Syndrome. This is an extremely rare kidney condition that is usually only found in Basenjis. To everyone's surprise, this was my final diagnosis. I have Fanconi's Syndrome.
The good news, it's treatable and I will be capable of leading a relatively normal life. The bad news, it's requires lifelong treatment, there is no cure.
My treatmeant will include a variety of medications, most taken daily. I will need regular vet visits and may require suportive care, such as subquetanious fluids, on bad days.
Nobody knows how long I have here on earth but many dogs with my disease lead long, good quality lives. I such an amazing will to live that my foster humans imagine I'll be just fine. Any ammount of time spent with me is truly a blessing.
Foster Mom says my disease may lesson my chance of adoption, especially since I will need a stay-at-home human, but if I am not adopted I will always have a special place here at Jack's Castle.
It's been nearly three months since being diagnosed with Fanconi's Syndrome. I am up to three pounds and fifteen ounces. I am thriving, to say the least. Auntie Julie takes me with her to her office whenever Mommy Jade is not available to care for me. I love going since there's rarely a moment that I am not in somebody's arms!
Thanks to all who prayed for me! I would also like to thank Dr. Van Brunt at Century Animal Hospital for giving me life saving round the clock care, even taking me into her own home until I was stabilized.
When I arrived at Jack's Angels, I was emaciated. I slowly gained weight and was doing wonderfully. However, I then started to loose weight again and on July 18th, foster Mom noticed I wasn't myself. I just wasn't the bouncy, friendly girls she's used to. I seemed tired and wasn't very interested in food. By the next day, I was dehydrated and lethargic. That morning, she took me to the vet, where I spent the day. The vet pumped me with subcutaneous fluids and ran bloodwork. Surprisingly, it came back normal. That's good other than we still didn't have any answers as to why I am so sick. I am refusing all food, even home cooked beef and chicken. Now I have stopped drinking. I am literally wasting away. Today, I will be back at Century Animal Hospital. Please pray for some answers and most of all, a fast recovery. I have my foster people so worried.
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