The Story of Magic
Magic came to us only a month ago and appeared to be a happy, healthy puppy of three months old. Shortly after arriving in the Rescue program, we took him to the vet for his regular check up and the beginning of his puppy shots. About a week later, he was limping, and we assumed one of the big dogs may have stepped on him while they were playing. We were not too concerned at the time. On Saturday, a week after his puppy shot and vet visit, he wasn't feeling too well, and was running a fever.
By that evening his temperature was up to 105 and we took him to the Emergency Clinic. They treated him for the fever and took blood tests for Valley Fever and Tick Fever. By Monday, we took him to our regular vet and they started him on Prednisone. He spent another night in the Emergency Clinic for observation, and responded well to the treatment. His fever broke, and he bounced back to what we thought was a healthy puppy.
The next day we took him home and that following weekend he went on an interview to his new home. The Maldonado's have Riley, another Irish Setter from the rescue program. They were excited and could not wait till Magic could come and stay with them. We needed to get a clean bill of health from the vet before he could leave. One week later, Magic went to stay with his new family.
He got less than a week with them,
then he developed a low grade fever. We thought it best to take him in for a
checkup. He had a urinary infection, that ultimately claimed his young life, due
to his weakened immune system.
In the 13 years that we have been
doing rescue, we had never heard of HOD. Our ignorance cost little Magic his
life. Early detection and proper treatment may have saved his life.
My goal is to educate our club on
this bone disease that affects young large breed dogs. The lead article in this
newsletter is out of our own parent club Newsletter! Shouldn't we be aware of
any disease that can affect our breed?
I want to personally thank Marilee
Larson, our parent club Rescue coordinator for all the help that she has given
me. Yes, Marilee, I have learned from Magic! And he will not be forgotten!
Thank you!
Karen Martin
