Chuck and Don's Pet Food Outlet in Bloomington is having a nail trimming clinic tomorrow and all the donations go to Toad! If your dog/cat needs their nails clipped please come out and have experienced groomers clip and show you how to clip nails.
Toad will be coming to the event. His ears are doing okay. The right one that causes him the most problems is still VERY itchy so please avoid touching that ear or near it and getting him itching. But he loves to be petted and loved on. There will be some Toad safe allergy treats there too to feed him as well!
Please come out and meet the famous Toad! He'll happily soak up any and all attention and coat you in drool at the same time...he's good at multitasking. In fact right now he's chewing on my shoe and chasing around his foster sister. Oh Toad....
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Fundraiser 10-28-12
Toad is having a fundraiser! Come one come all We are holding a nail trimming clinic at the Bloomington Chuck and Don's to raise funds for Toad's mounting medical bills (his new meds alone are $400)! Come get your dog's (or cat's) nails trimmed for a cause - and hear more about Toad's story!
As of right now it looks like Toad will be able to attend the event at least for part of the time! Because his right ear is still so itchy and painful we ask that you please be very, very careful and gentle and don't get him scratching. Once he starts scratching he can't stop himself and it is near impossible to get him to stop without sedating him. He likes attention but it needs to be gentle attention please. His head is usually a safe spot as long as you avoid the ears, and he loves back scratches!
We'll have some Toad Treats in a jar there too that you are welcome to feed to him instead...he LOVES treats! Might have to issue a flash flood warning once he knows there are treats though because he drools buckets
As of right now it looks like Toad will be able to attend the event at least for part of the time! Because his right ear is still so itchy and painful we ask that you please be very, very careful and gentle and don't get him scratching. Once he starts scratching he can't stop himself and it is near impossible to get him to stop without sedating him. He likes attention but it needs to be gentle attention please. His head is usually a safe spot as long as you avoid the ears, and he loves back scratches!
We'll have some Toad Treats in a jar there too that you are welcome to feed to him instead...he LOVES treats! Might have to issue a flash flood warning once he knows there are treats though because he drools buckets
Want to visit Toad?!
Short notice but Chuck and Don's Pet Food Outlet in Wayzata is having a nail trimming clinic tomorrow Octover 21st and Toad is planning to come make a visit there. The clinic goes from 1-3, Toad will likely be there at the beginning but will have to leave earlier.
There will be another clinic at Chuck and Don's in Bloomington on October 28th from 12-3 and Toad will be there for the whole time if you'd like to meet him. More info will be posted about this later tonight.
Thank you!
There will be another clinic at Chuck and Don's in Bloomington on October 28th from 12-3 and Toad will be there for the whole time if you'd like to meet him. More info will be posted about this later tonight.
Thank you!
Friday, October 19, 2012
Vet update 10-17-12
I think we have the worlds most patient vet. Because every single time Toad comes for an ear check he coats the lobby and exam room in slobber, pees all over when the scope goes into his ear bcause it itches so much, and has been known to fling slobber onto the poor vet (including her face more than once!). In spite of that which most people would run from, she continues to bravely go where no vet has gone before and examine and treat the most disgusting depths of his ears. She also puts up with me hysterically laughing at the slobber flying everywhere....when you live with it every day you have to learn to laugh at it. :)
The good news is that there is still an opening into his ear canal! That's a HUGE improvement. The downside is that there is still infection present in the ear causing a lot of itching. But infection is something we can still work at treating because we can still get the meds in his ears so all in all not bad.
Both vets at the clinic have taken caring for Toad above and beyond. In fact, both found an article about a human medication that was tried on a cat with severe ear issues and similar growths in the canals and think its a possibility for Toad or at least something that is worth a shot! Its experimental but the worst that can happen is that it won't work. We're starting those this weekend so cross your fingers once again for Toad!
He seems to feel pretty good most of the time. He LOVES to play, likes to chew on everything that he isn't supposed to, and spends a good portion of the night drooling all over the dog bed (when he's not searching for socks or books to chew up!). He scared us all by having a pretty bad attack of itching about a week ago but hasn't since so we're hopeful it might have been a one time thing and not a sign of things not going well.
We are going to be having another fundraiser for Toad pretty soon. His vet bills have far surpassed what as a rescue and as a foster HHK9 and I can afford but he is very worth it. He will almost for sure be able to attend this fundraiser so if you would like to meet him again and see the progress or meet him for the first time please consider coming! He LOVES to meet people and slobber on them...in fact I think one of his goals in life is to drool on everyone. :) Check back for more details... we should have it finalized in a few days!
The good news is that there is still an opening into his ear canal! That's a HUGE improvement. The downside is that there is still infection present in the ear causing a lot of itching. But infection is something we can still work at treating because we can still get the meds in his ears so all in all not bad.
Both vets at the clinic have taken caring for Toad above and beyond. In fact, both found an article about a human medication that was tried on a cat with severe ear issues and similar growths in the canals and think its a possibility for Toad or at least something that is worth a shot! Its experimental but the worst that can happen is that it won't work. We're starting those this weekend so cross your fingers once again for Toad!
He seems to feel pretty good most of the time. He LOVES to play, likes to chew on everything that he isn't supposed to, and spends a good portion of the night drooling all over the dog bed (when he's not searching for socks or books to chew up!). He scared us all by having a pretty bad attack of itching about a week ago but hasn't since so we're hopeful it might have been a one time thing and not a sign of things not going well.
We are going to be having another fundraiser for Toad pretty soon. His vet bills have far surpassed what as a rescue and as a foster HHK9 and I can afford but he is very worth it. He will almost for sure be able to attend this fundraiser so if you would like to meet him again and see the progress or meet him for the first time please consider coming! He LOVES to meet people and slobber on them...in fact I think one of his goals in life is to drool on everyone. :) Check back for more details... we should have it finalized in a few days!
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Ears...from beginning to now!
Its amazing to see how far Toad's ears have come since day 1....(sorry for the gross pictures!)
Left Ear-this ear has reached what is likely the best it can reach. After 2 surgeries, the scar tissue in the ear in minimal and while there is still infection present in the ear its controlled and unless its being cleaned doesn't bother Toad.
Left Ear-this ear has reached what is likely the best it can reach. After 2 surgeries, the scar tissue in the ear in minimal and while there is still infection present in the ear its controlled and unless its being cleaned doesn't bother Toad.
Right Ear--this ear has been the most troublesome and continues to give Toad the most trouble. After 3 surgeries on it, it still is not yet to a level that is comfortable and itch free.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
"Toad Healthy"
I know, 2 posts in 1 day. Are pigs flying? No. I actually wrote most of this a while ago and forgot to publish it so it got stuck in the drafts (whoops!).
I never quite know what to say when I am asked "how is Toad?". I love that people ask and care about him, I just don't know how to describe how Toad is. Good/Bad never seem to describe it right nor does either one seem true. He has good times/days and bad times/days. He's both good and bad all at once and it can change in seconds depending on one tiny itch.
Toad will never be healthy. Ever. That flew out the window a couple years ago when someone decided to cut his ears off. The best we can possibly hope for for Toad is for him to be "Toad healthy".
Toad will always need meds, both oral antibiotics and ear ointments for the rest of his life. He will always have ear issues. He may always have skin issues at times too. The hope is we can get that to a liveable, relatively itch free level and keep it there with medications. That is "Toad healthy" and that's what we are aiming for. Much like a dog with arthritis who needs meds to control the pain, Toad will always need meds to control the infection. If it improves so far beyond that he can live without medications he will have far surpassed the expectations of the best possible prognosis for him.
I never quite know what to say when I am asked "how is Toad?". I love that people ask and care about him, I just don't know how to describe how Toad is. Good/Bad never seem to describe it right nor does either one seem true. He has good times/days and bad times/days. He's both good and bad all at once and it can change in seconds depending on one tiny itch.
Toad will never be healthy. Ever. That flew out the window a couple years ago when someone decided to cut his ears off. The best we can possibly hope for for Toad is for him to be "Toad healthy".
Toad will always need meds, both oral antibiotics and ear ointments for the rest of his life. He will always have ear issues. He may always have skin issues at times too. The hope is we can get that to a liveable, relatively itch free level and keep it there with medications. That is "Toad healthy" and that's what we are aiming for. Much like a dog with arthritis who needs meds to control the pain, Toad will always need meds to control the infection. If it improves so far beyond that he can live without medications he will have far surpassed the expectations of the best possible prognosis for him.
Update...finally!
Long awaited updated, I know. I was hoping for a lot of happy news and a lot of successes and unfortunately with every step forward for Toad there seems to be ten back.
So where did we leave off?
The surgery and the skin sore relapse. Wow, I really let this get quite overdue didn't I?
His skin has improved a million times over thanks to some magic skin repair topical gel and so far he has not had a relapse of his skin! That is a huge improvement. Cross your fingers for that to continue.
The 2nd surgery healed as well as can be expected, there was a canal opening so we could get medication in, the antibiotics seemed to be helping to at least keep it from getting worse, and Toad wasn't nearly as itchy as he was before. All in all things were going well.
Unfortunately with Toad there are ten steps back for every step ahead. He went back in a few weeks ago and the ear canal that had been opened previously with surgery had grown the warty scar tissue inside the canal meaning it was once again blocked. His scar tissue grows back faster than anything we have ever seen and the infection, even with the strongest of meds, is simply not going away.
We considered a few options...pulse therapy with meds which means we try to do antibiotics on and off forever to try to control the infection. Another surgery. And of course when things are this bad the inevitable option of euthanasia comes up. With that comes the questions...how much is fair to put one little dog through? Is this really going to help and be worth putting him through?
I do not think Toad is on the point of being euthanized yet. We opted for another surgery and more meds. But this is kind of a last resort, last chance. I am very afraid that there will not be a happy ending for Toad. And I am very afraid of having to make that decision. I get to see the best and the worst of Toad. I get to see the crazy dog who loves to wrestle with the big dogs, carry around a rope toy, jump 3x his height when he wants his food bowl, and attack the laundry everytime I try to fold it. I also have to see him yelp and frantically scratch at his ears when he gets an itch, run around on 3 legs sometimes trying to itch his ear, and go crazy shaking his head until he's almost exhausted. I get to see Toad as his happiest and Toad at his most miserable. I wish I could say that the happy outweighs the miserable. Somedays it does but most of the time it does not. Toad needs for something to finally work for him.
He had his surgery last week. So far things look good. The amazing vet spent hours lasering the scar tissue off tacking the canal open, and then cleaning out the infection gunk. So far after a week its still open though there is new scar tissue on the tops of his ears which isn't a great sign. But currently we can still get ear meds down there and it looks (and smells) a million times less disgusting.
That's where we are at. Please cross your fingers, say a prayer, send good wishes, anything to Toad that this round of surgery/meds works for him. Currently he's having a really good day...right now he's snorting up a storm wrestling and going crazy with his best pal.
So where did we leave off?
The surgery and the skin sore relapse. Wow, I really let this get quite overdue didn't I?
His skin has improved a million times over thanks to some magic skin repair topical gel and so far he has not had a relapse of his skin! That is a huge improvement. Cross your fingers for that to continue.
The 2nd surgery healed as well as can be expected, there was a canal opening so we could get medication in, the antibiotics seemed to be helping to at least keep it from getting worse, and Toad wasn't nearly as itchy as he was before. All in all things were going well.
Unfortunately with Toad there are ten steps back for every step ahead. He went back in a few weeks ago and the ear canal that had been opened previously with surgery had grown the warty scar tissue inside the canal meaning it was once again blocked. His scar tissue grows back faster than anything we have ever seen and the infection, even with the strongest of meds, is simply not going away.
We considered a few options...pulse therapy with meds which means we try to do antibiotics on and off forever to try to control the infection. Another surgery. And of course when things are this bad the inevitable option of euthanasia comes up. With that comes the questions...how much is fair to put one little dog through? Is this really going to help and be worth putting him through?
I do not think Toad is on the point of being euthanized yet. We opted for another surgery and more meds. But this is kind of a last resort, last chance. I am very afraid that there will not be a happy ending for Toad. And I am very afraid of having to make that decision. I get to see the best and the worst of Toad. I get to see the crazy dog who loves to wrestle with the big dogs, carry around a rope toy, jump 3x his height when he wants his food bowl, and attack the laundry everytime I try to fold it. I also have to see him yelp and frantically scratch at his ears when he gets an itch, run around on 3 legs sometimes trying to itch his ear, and go crazy shaking his head until he's almost exhausted. I get to see Toad as his happiest and Toad at his most miserable. I wish I could say that the happy outweighs the miserable. Somedays it does but most of the time it does not. Toad needs for something to finally work for him.
He had his surgery last week. So far things look good. The amazing vet spent hours lasering the scar tissue off tacking the canal open, and then cleaning out the infection gunk. So far after a week its still open though there is new scar tissue on the tops of his ears which isn't a great sign. But currently we can still get ear meds down there and it looks (and smells) a million times less disgusting.
That's where we are at. Please cross your fingers, say a prayer, send good wishes, anything to Toad that this round of surgery/meds works for him. Currently he's having a really good day...right now he's snorting up a storm wrestling and going crazy with his best pal.
Monday, August 6, 2012
WOW!
Wow. There really aren't other words for how amazing the support for Toad was. Thank you a million times over to everyone who came out to meet Toad and for everyone who didn't get a chance too but was with him and us in spirit. It was incredible to see his many fans come out and show their support in their love for him, donations, and of course their own adorable 4 legged friends.
Thank you so much. For everything. Especially for supporting this little guy through everything he's been through and for continuing to stick by him and keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
Here's a happy Toad after the fundraiser....before he passed out and didn't make a peep until the next morning. He was almost to tired to eat his breakfast...ALMOST. : )
Thank you so much. For everything. Especially for supporting this little guy through everything he's been through and for continuing to stick by him and keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
Here's a happy Toad after the fundraiser....before he passed out and didn't make a peep until the next morning. He was almost to tired to eat his breakfast...ALMOST. : )
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Toad Fundraiser!
As of right now it looks like Toad will be able to attend the event at least for part of the time! Because his skin and ears are still so itchy and painful we ask that you please be very, very careful and gentle and don't get him scratching. Once he starts scratching he can't stop himself and it is near impossible to get him to stop without sedating him. He likes attention but it needs to be gentle attention please. His head is usually a safe spot as long as you avoid the ears (its a big head...its not hard!).
We'll have some Toad Treats in a jar there too that you are welcome to feed to him instead...he LOVES treats! Might have to issue a flash flood warning once he knows there are treats though because he drools buckets.
He seems to be responding to the meds because he looks much better than he did even a week ago. He has about half the pus filled bumps he used to have. So its a step in the right direction for his skin for now! Cross your fingers that it stays that way!
Thursday, July 26, 2012
7-26-12
Toad has such a personality now. He's not anymore that miserable dog we first met him at PUPS! He runs, he snorts around, he likes to play tug with blankets (he's not helpful at laundry time!), and he likes to follow his foster family everywhere. He seemed like such a quiet, docile dog. He tricked us. : ) He throws a Toad tantrum when he isn't allowed to follow us or thinks he shouldn't be in his Toad pen and should be out running around with his dog friend. He runs around the yard like a bat out of hell, snorting the whole way, little legs struggling to keep up with his foster brother. He's total bulldog and its hilarious.
In some ways he is so much better health wise than he was...his ears have no more mushrooms, both are mostly opened now into the ear canals (that in itself is a HUGE improvement), and his skin is a lot less bumpy and sore.
The flip side is that he still has a long road ahead of him before he is out of the woods. His skin biopsy came back. No current infection showed up which is great, suggestive of allergies which we already has suspected, but nothing to really explain why his skin has fluctuated from awful to great to bumpy to good to covered in pus sores to now where its not as bad as it has been but its not good.
His ears...its so hard to tell. Less draining though no less gunk coming out in cleanings. They're still so itchy for him and there are many times he'll be running around and end up running on 3 legs trying to itch his ears with his other leg. Poor guy.
So...sadly its nothing new. More meds. Ear ointment still (he loves it at least!), antibiotics, some anti-itch meds, some new skin repair type topical medications, and some extra supplements. At least Toad is easy to give meds to...hide them in his food and he'll dive right in!
Toady Toady Wart Face. Its dinner time and he knows it. He's waiting rather impatiently wondering why his magic bowl is still empty...
In some ways he is so much better health wise than he was...his ears have no more mushrooms, both are mostly opened now into the ear canals (that in itself is a HUGE improvement), and his skin is a lot less bumpy and sore.
The flip side is that he still has a long road ahead of him before he is out of the woods. His skin biopsy came back. No current infection showed up which is great, suggestive of allergies which we already has suspected, but nothing to really explain why his skin has fluctuated from awful to great to bumpy to good to covered in pus sores to now where its not as bad as it has been but its not good.
His ears...its so hard to tell. Less draining though no less gunk coming out in cleanings. They're still so itchy for him and there are many times he'll be running around and end up running on 3 legs trying to itch his ears with his other leg. Poor guy.
So...sadly its nothing new. More meds. Ear ointment still (he loves it at least!), antibiotics, some anti-itch meds, some new skin repair type topical medications, and some extra supplements. At least Toad is easy to give meds to...hide them in his food and he'll dive right in!
Toady Toady Wart Face. Its dinner time and he knows it. He's waiting rather impatiently wondering why his magic bowl is still empty...
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