“Skyler’s story started with this”

“ Hello,

This is Nikke at the HS of Northwestern PA in Erie PA. I am contacting you about a dalmatian that was brought to our shelter today. She has been neglected, and she has flea allergies that are very apparent on her back. Our shelter is completely full so I just wanted to check and see if there was any chance your rescue may be able to help out Skyler. She is nine years old, and according to the family that owned her, friendly with everyone including other pets. I have attached 2 photos. Unfortunately I've only got until Sunday to line something up for her. If you can help, feel free to email me back or call me at any time.

Your rescue took Blondie from us in February of 06

Thanks so much for your consideration

Nikke

Shelter Manager “

Skyler was turned in to the Erie PA shelter on Friday, November 10th. She is 9 yrs old, good with kids and other animals. Owner said the vet diagnosed her condition as severe flea allergies. She is in route to our rescue as I type (nov 13). We're told she is very sweet ....and very uncomfortable. The pictures dont begin to show how bad it is. Our rep said she has many sores that are open and bleeding and her legs and body are swollen. She is headed directly to a vet. We suspect it may be mange - hard to know til the vet sees her. Will update her progress soon.

Update: The Vet put her on Meds and she is now in our care but she is in bad shape and we don't know if we can fix this. She will need all our prayers and positive energy.

Update 11/15/06:

I got kisses and great big tail wags (the best she could manage) this
morning! Her hind end is still swollen but not as much as it was on Monday. The cephalexin seems to be working.

Denise stopped over last night with Fresh factor (vitamins), treats and a
topical spray. My vet will be coming by tonight to examine her, take blood and urine. I'm a little concerned - she drinks excessively and her urine is very diluted. Not sure we can test for Thyroid yet.

Update 11/16/06: I had one heck of a time getting this picture of Sky's rump. Her tail wagged NON-STOP!!!! Don't know if you can tell but the swelling in her backside is going down and her tail is getting longer! I think she's feeling a little better.

I cooked up some chicken, rice and veggies for her last night and she's loving it.

My vet stopped by last night and examined her. She thinks it really is just a flea allergy that was chronic and left untreated. Sky sure seems to know to run when she sees a bottle or tube of cream coming her way! Maybe she was treated once upon a time? We took a urine specimen to check for a UTI and glucose. Sky is a bit chubby, drinks/urinates excessively so my vet wants to rule out diabetes. She did not want to take blood yet because her lymph glands are full blown
(we already know her white cell count would be off the charts) and since she
had Ivomec too the results would be skewed. If Sky does not have diabetes
she will start her on a steroid. She increased the duration of the cephalexin. She'll be on it for three weeks. She's also on benydryl (three tabs) three times a day. I'm also giving her fresh factor supplements and 3V caps (Omega fatty acids).

I have to give her a bath in SebaLyt shampoo today. Then Im going to try to
apply the Sterlox Denise left with me. (it sprays on). She pees in her crate and on the quilts on her bed. She hasn’t christened the recliner yet. She seems housebroken so Im not sure if she pees in her sleep (doped up on the benydryl) or its infection. I thought I heard her hack this morning but Im probably being paranoid. This sweet baby has enough baggage to carry right now. Pray she doesn't come down with kennel cough. She is accepting visitors (especially if they come bearing yummy, squishy treats! She doesn’t seem to like the hard cookie type). You are welcome to visit!!

Update 11/17/06:

Sky is doing well. Her skin is still a little hot to touch and swollen but I can see improvement. She seems happier. She's not liking the camera so here's the best I could get this morning! Aren't you glad it's not another butt shot? Lol

Update 11/22/06: Sky doesn't seem to be getting better as I once hoped and thought. We discovered that she had a lump on her throat that had grown quickly in size to the size of a baseball. She's wheezing and it might be the lump not kennel cough as I thought. Her skin seemed to be getting better in some spots but also seems to be breaking out in other places. Update 11/24/06: Sky has developed a fever so I called the Vet to come over. I have some bad news. We had to put Skyler to sleep. She was running a high fever, her skin was not healing, she was not responding to antibiotics (after 9 days), she had a baseball size lump by her throat. It was not kennel cough that caused the wheezing – it was the lymph gland. The Vet said it was best and even though I fought the idea I could see that the life was gone from her eyes. She fought as hard as she could for as long as she could. We are devastated. I am still in shock. I did not expect things to turn out this way. We fix them – it’s what we do. My vet had a hard time convincing me to let her go. I know you’ve heard this before but she was one of the sweetest, gentlest dogs I’ve fostered. Thank you everyone for your generosity and prayers. Everyone has been very kind to us and we appreciate it. We are doing an autopsy and have expenses for her cremation. I will get a total and we’ll put it on the website so everyone knows how their donation was used. Update 11/28/06: She had cancer, it was Lymphosarcoma. This is the last picture I took of her. Rest in peace Skyler. Special Thanks to her Sponsors: Pamela Love Tanya Amberson Carol Chretien Dawn Prinz Vernita Bridges Hoyt Marie Meadows Patricia Harris Kathy Kelley Cheryl Houseal Annette Kosover