My last post

Im sure you know what that means... Unfortunately Kabuki took a turn for the worse and passed away today. I got a call at work around 1pm from my regular vet asking me to rush over and pick him up to take him to the emergency room. She wasn't happy with how he looked and she felt they could better treat him. I left work right away and picked him up for the drive to Cordelia to the emergency vet. The had a poor prognosis for him, and he became "iptic" I don't know if that is the correct spelling, but basically, he wasn't responding and was going to need plasma and a lot of intensive care. The e-vet said his chances weren't great, but if we wanted to, they would have kept trying, but even with this treatment we had to understand he wasnt out of the woods. We decided to let him go peacefully, which was a very difficult choice, but I just didn't feel comfortable with such an aggressive treatment while he was so poor off already, but other treatments weren't working. It was also a very aggressive treatment for him to have, then still runt he full risk he may not make it. I felt, and still feel awful about having to make that decision. Up until we went into the back room at the vet, I had still never even pet Kabuki. I cant even describe what an effect this tiny, weak little puppy I had never touched, had on my life. He deserved so much better than this, and it if hadn't been for human greed, he never would have ended up here. We pick up his remains in 2 weeks, and he will come home with us. Sadly, it will probably be the first time he will ever have been in a loving home, and he wont even get to enjoy it. I cant thank all of you enough who have supported me since I picked him up last week, and I hope you all understand my decision. He was dearly loved by so many volunteers, and myself in his short little life, and I will never forget him.

the plateau

The vet tech just called to give me an update, unfortunately, no real progress. Still has diarrhea and some vomit. The tech said he has basically reached a plateau and is kinda hangin out here. Its a shame he hasnt peaked yet and is on his way to recovery, but the tech said that the longer they stay alive, even at a plateau, the better chances are for survival. Its pretty worrying that he isnt showing any sign of improvement, but they said day 5 is usually the longest a patient has parvo, and tomorrow will be day 5, so please keep your fingers crossed! He's taking longer to recover than the vet expected, but at least he is still with us! The tech said he is a bit more alert though, as Kabuki now gets up to move away from him when the tech comes in to give him injections. I feel bad for poor Kabuki, not understanding what is happening to him, but hopefully it wont leave any mental scars on him, if he does pull through. Poor boy!

friday afternoon

Kabuki had some vomiting today, no diarrhea, but it seems like that happens mostly at night. They said he is resting comfortably, and they have decided to start giving him some pain meds along with his fliuds. They unfortunately dont have full time staff over the weekend, but a veterinarian will be in three times a day to check on him, adjust meds, and call to give an update, so please keep your fingers crossed for the weekend! I may try to get a freind to drop off a radio to him this weekend while Im at work (6am to 6pm) so he can still hear some noise, maybe some soothing classical music.

quickie

Hi all, I had to go back to work today, which is no fun, but I got a very quick update form the vet tech. Unfortunately there has been no improvement in his health. They are all really pulling for him and doing all they can, but hes just kinda hangin out in a funk. They really dont know how long it will last, so think good thoughts for him please! The Vallejo news paper wanted to do a story on him, which is great to get his story out more, and get him some more positive vibes.

vet visit

I sat with Kabuki this afternoon and talked with him. Some people believe that talking to parvo puppies, telling them theyre going to make it, actually helps them, so sure I may have looked nuts, but Im ok with that! The tech said if he had been brought in one day later than he was, he would have died. Thank DOG for Becky, the amazing volunteer at Sac City shelter! His condition is still very touch and go. He looked very small, and sad when I went to see him, but they said it is typical of parvo cases to be fairly unresponsive. He is in a lot of pain and discomfort, but the staff is doing all they can to keep him stable. The virus is progressing, and we all hope he will pull through. He has a great vet staff doing everything in their capability to ensure that happens. Sorry the pictures arent great, but they are the best I could get.

fundable site

Hi all, just wanted to let you all know that in just 2 days we were able to meet the goal of 550 dollars in donations! Yay!! Because of this I decided to close the section that accepts donations. If you still feel absolutely compelled to donate, you can over the phone to his vet, 707-553-8363 (baysidevet.com) but Im pretty sure that the money raised, my deposit, and the grant we will hopefulyl be getting from UAN will be close to the bill amount. Thank you all for donating and I cant wait for him to pull through like the trooper he already has been! We plan on having a bar-b-que at (or somewhere near) the shelter in appreciation of all the volunteers and donors. Please keep reading his blog. I will post again this afternoon when I get my next update.

new vet today

A new vet at the clinic took over Kabuki's care today, same vet's office, just a new primary vet. He said Kabuki had some vomit and diarrhea lat night. He said the diarrhea isnt necessarily a bad sign, as it is a natural progression of the disease. The stomach needs to shed its lining, which is done during the diarrhea phase. So, they have decided to up his medication and up the fluids to be sure they keep putting back what is coming out. He is still depressed, but I can only imagine how uncomfortable he is. Keep your fingers crossed all!!

stable

Just got word from the vet he is "stable". Still no vomiting today or diarrhea and he has been holding down his fluids. No fever anymore either. She said he is still lethargic, but holding down the fluids is a great sign. She said if he continues this way, she will start doing oral medications the day after tomorrow. She is still giving anti-biotics, and anti-vomit meds. She says he is depressed still, but I cant blame him, he must feel awful. More updates as I get them...

just a quick update

The vet was in a consult, so I just got word from the tech. The vet will call this evening to give a full rundown. He is still acting depressed, but he hasnt vomited or had any bouts of diarrhea today since he got the shot of cerenia. Yay!! Great news!

Kabuki's first day

He has been in vet care since 4pm yesterday (8/25/2009). I called this morning and spoke with the receptionist who said he was stable. Received a phone call from the vet tech at 1010am that he has been given cerenia for the vomiting. He still is not showing any bloody stool which is positive. His CBC came back and his blood showed some "off" numbers as they expected of a parvo puppy, but his white blood cell count was normal, which they didnt expect and are happy about. The said he did not decline last night but he is still about the same. The said he is holding his own, which is better than some of the other parvo cases they've seen. The fundable site is doing well and today I will be faxing over the estimate for Kabuki's vet costs to UAN, where I applied for a grant to cover some costs as well. He's a trooper, but he still needs all the thoughts and prayers he can get. Please circulate this blog to whoever you think will read it. Thanks! -Lisa

Who is Kabuki?

A skinny 6-8wk old puppy, named Kabuki by volunteers, came in as a stray to the Sacramento City Shelter, starved with a big laceration on his back. The shelter volunteers nursed him back to health in hopes of a great home adopting him, but last week he was stolen along with 2 other puppies from the shelter. It was covered well in the Sacramento news and 2 of the 3 puppies have now been recovered, including Kabuki. Unfortunately for him, he has now tested positive for parvo. It is shelter policy not to treat, since they don't have the resources, so I pulled him and took him straight to the vet. Feel free to call his vet or the Sac City Shelter to verify. His vet is baysidevet.net at 707-553-8363. He is now safe, receiving the treatment he needs, but the costs will be high! The estimate has run up to $951, I have already put a 300 dollar deposit towards the costs. Please donate if you can! Even 10 dollars makes a difference!

http://www.fundable.com/groupactions/groupaction.2009-08-25.4459390063

See the news stories below:
http://cbs13.com/pets/stolen.pitbull.puppies.2.1138695.html
http://www.sacbee.com/ourregion/story/2130401.html?mi_rss=Our+Region
http://www.news10.net/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=65606&catid=2