The Dorothy P. Schuda Memorial Fund has assisted with the care of the following dogs this year:

Originally adopted from SOS Beagle Rescue, Spike began coughing up mucous 15-20 times a day and losing weight.  His owner took him to her own vet and a specialist who failed to diagnose or treat him effectively.  She called us, distraught, ready to give him up if it meant he could receive medical care  Spike had been born to a rescued female who gave birth in the shelter, and SOS took her and the litter for placement.  At the age of 5 weeks, Spike had stopped growing for about 2 weeks and was evaluated and cleared by our TN veterinarian.  We wanted to make sure that his current illness was not related to his failure to grow those two weeks as a puppy.  Spike saw our vet, who thought he might have something lodged in his upper airway.  Dr. Keefe flushed his nasal passages and esophagus, and thought that he saw improvement immediately after the procedure, but the next day Spike was again brining up mucous many times a day.  Dr. Keefe referred us to the Langhorne Emergency and Specialty center for a rhinoscopy and workup  The specialist bill alone was $3,260 of which our vet kindly paid $1,260, capping our specialty charges at $2,000.  Previous charges to Dr. Keefe for x-rays and medications cost $529.04.  Unfortunately, the specialty center could only suggest gastric reflux, but Spike had been on meds for that possibility for 2 months with no improvement.  He died in my arms 3 weeks into treatment and the post mortem showed a suspected brain tumor in the vomiting reflux center.

Spike's Total Vet Care Charge - $2,529.04   

A pus-filled sore on his nose took Jackson into the vet just 3 weeks after adoption and steroids were given for the inflammation.  Three days later, Jackson was running a high fever of 105^o and coughing.  He was extremely lethargic, and his owner returned with him to the vet who administered antibiotics and cough medicine.  Jackson showed no improvement and was returned to rescue.  An x-ray taken by our vet showed heavy congestion in the lungs, and aspiration pneumonia was suspected  (Jackson had been sedated to have steroids injected directly into the sore on his nose and our vet felt he may have aspired some fluid while under sedation).  Injectable high-dose antiobiotics given over Labor Day weekend failed to improve his condition.  On-line research showed a fungus endemic to the area in Tennessee where he was first found that could be the cause of the lung congestion and calls by my vet to specialists here and in Tennessee confirmed that we were probably looking at Blastomycosis.  This fungus is found in soil spores in TN, but NJ soil/weather conditions do not allow it to flourish here so the NJ vets had never seen a case of it.  The fungus can lay dormant in a dog until the immune system is compromised (the steroid shot) and then "blossom" quickly.  We immediately started Jackson on anti-fungal medications, but he died the next morning in my arms.  The post-mortem showed the lung tissue had hardened from the fungus and the lungs were full of blastomycosis spores.

Jackson's Total Vet Care Charge - $405.00

Perri - 2009

While in foster care, Perri suddenly became lethargic, refusing food, and vomiting.  An obstruction was feared, so a trip to the vet for x-rays was made.  Conclusion:  Perri had been licking the floor and carpet and basically had a hairball.  Perri recovered and has been placed with a new owner in Philadelphia.

Perri's Total Vet Care Charge - $165.00

He was purchased from Dan's Kennels in Western NY.  His first owner was seen picking Riley up by the skin over the neck and back and throwing him into a wall.  A good Samaritan witnessed this and took the dog home.  He was neutered, vaccinated and began his quest to find a new home.  While in foster care one night, he wouldn't come out of his crate.  He was unable to walk on his left hind leg and the upper leg was very swollen.  Riley had a complete break of the femur (upper leg bone)  The fracture was displaced - the foster spent $300 at the local vet clinic for x-rays but needed an additional $1000-$1500 for surgery.  A local rescue stepped in and found a vet who would do the surgery for $600-$700.  A cat rescue considered him a 'really big kitten" and pledged $100 towards his care, and beagle rescues were contacted for additional help.  SOS contributed $100 as well, and Riley recovered and was adopted by a wonderful couple with an older beagle and a basset.

Riley's Total Vet Grant - $100.00

A friend of our North Jersey foster home had an older beagle with a torn Achilles Tendon - her vet required a 50% down payment on the $2700 surgery in order to do the repair.  Bubba's owner needed help raising the down payment so the surgery could be done in a timely fashion and she could avoid having to surrender or euthanize the dog. She asked for donations from family members and friends and still came up well short.  She then ran a yard sale that raised $300 and we matched her proceeds from the yard sale so she would have the down payment.  Result:  Surgery successful, with use of leg restored and pain eliminated.  Bubba's owner is paying off the remainder of the surgery bill over time, without assistance.

Bubba's Total Vet Care Grant - $300.00

A young male pulled from a shelter as a stray by our Alabama chapter was found to have a diaphragmatic hernia.  Upon repair of the hernia, they also discovered he had been shot and removed several pieces of buckshot from him during the surgery.  Mel has recovered well and is now in a permanent home.

Mel's Total cost of surgery - $450.00

A stray at our local Tennessee shelter presented with an open wound of the elbow, with bone protruding from the break at the elbow.  We pulled Johnny and took him to an orthopedic vet who is a friend of one of our fosters.  He agreed to provide Johnny's care, and started by pinning the break.  Several adjustments of the pin were required and the vet has not asked for even a penny more than his original fee, also telling us that if the break did not repair, he would amputate the leg for us at no additional charge.  Thanks to Dr. Hackett's generosity and care, Johnny Cash healed well, with only a minor limp to show for his injuries, and was placed with a special needs rescue group in Wisconsin who had a home waiting for small dogs.

Johnny Cash's Total Vet Care Charge - $400.00

An older girl, Lady, was observed being dragged down the street with a bad leg.  A good samaritan asked if she could have Lady, and then took her to the vet to discover she needed surgery.  They asked for help, telling us that they were prepared to give Lady a home for life.

Lady's Total Vet Care Grant - $150.00