On January 15, 1998 a little female, longhair black and tan dapple Dachshund puppy was born into this world. Her name was Cuddles. Unfortunately she was born to a breeder of many dogs. Cuddles was raised as a breeding dog in an outside kennel with lots of Dachshund relatives to keep her company but bred to be a breeder, she did not receive the human love and companionship that every dog deserves. In December of 2001, Cuddles was due to whelp a litter of puppies when she became very ill. Just two hours before having her pups she started vomiting and shaking. Cuddles was not in good condition at all. The breeder rushed her to the vet and she had to have the puppies delivered by a C-section so they would survive. Cuddles almost didn't make it, but miraculously survived and lived to raise them. During the next six weeks Cuddles and her babies had to endure many vet visits and stay sometimes for days. As soon as the puppies were old enough to wean they were taken away and sold. Meanwhile Cuddle's health had not improved. The vet said she had Prancreatitis for which she was treated but there was no change in her condition. Since Cuddles could not be bred anymore and her health was not improving, the breeder surrendered her over to CCDR. Cuddles was so skinny, scared and very ill. The look in her eyes was that of a dog who had given up. But I hadn't! Cuddles went into foster care only for her to walk all over the house, back bowed up and trying to potty with every step she would take. She sometimes strained so hard that she passed more blood than anything else.
Cuddles will be in foster care for some time until we get a proper diagnosis for her bowel problems and get her Cushings under control. Her vetting has so far cost CCDR over $400 with further testing and treatments still needed. CCDR and Cuddles are very fortunate to have Buddy Sponsors to assist us with the vetting costs of these less fortunate dogs. Cuddles is one of the sweetest dogs ever put on this earth. She loves to play and snuggle and is everything a loving dog could be! Please keep Cuddles in your thoughts while we determine what her medical problems are. Cuddles would love to have you for a Buddy. She is just learning what human love and companionship are all about. Won't you be her Buddy? Cuddles UPDATE: June 12,
2002 On April 8th we finally found a vet who would listen to us and the surgery that Cuddles needed months ago was scheduled. She went to the vets many days prior to surgery so they could keep an eye on her condition. It was also a difficult task to find a vet who was willing to attempt the major task in front of them, a Resection Colon/Rectaloscapy. Locally, there were no vets that would perform this surgery, so we had to wait for the vet to come to us. On April 12 at 6pm Cuddles went into surgery with no guarantee she would ever come out. Three hours later we got the call she was still alive. The blockage was much harder to remove than suspected. Due to time that had lapsed in trying to get a proper diagnosis, her insides had started growing around the obstruction. At first they tried to go through the abdomen to get it but ended up going through the rectum. After it was over, Cuddles
was on a round the clock watch for many days. The vet was very worried
about the possibility of infection. Cuddles was checked every few hours
and kept clean, spotlessly clean. For the next month and a half she lived
at the vet's clinic to be supervised, medicated and
On May 20th Cuddles had her first real bowel movement and it was a joyous occasion (we know this sounds odd, but it was!). Up until then she didn't know when her bowels moved. She only ever had soft and runny stools. Now we waited to she if she would gain sensation to know when she had to go potty. As each day passed we knew the answer was yes. On May 30th Cuddles was released to go home to her foster mom with instructions to keep her clean and to carefully watch over her. We also learned that Cuddles was being needlessly treated for Cusings disease. She in fact did not have Cushings. Her cortisol levels were high due to her blockage. Since she was treated with Lysodren (which slowly kills the adrenal gland) we have to now watch her for Addisons disease which is the opposite of Cushings. The Adrenal gland is a remarkable thing in the fact that it can regenerate itself. We are praying for this miracle. As of right now, CCDR has invested over $1,000 into this beautiful girl and as generous as our Buddies have been we are still a long way from paying off her vet bills. Tomorrow we go back for another ACTH test to see how she is doing and to have her rectum checked again. So far Cuddles is a happy girl wagging her tail everywhere she goes. Her coat is beautiful and is growing again. Cuddles is a happy, playful Dachsie thanks to the generosity of CCDR and all of her Buddies. Cuddles' Foster Mom Cuddle's Update August
2002 Cuddles is doing well. She is happy and wags her tail every step she takes. She loves to play and get belly rub. Her most recent visit to the vet was a good one. Her Acth test has her at 17. Although we are hoping she doesn't go any higher. At 20 she will be concidered a cushings dog again. We have come along way since the surgery. She is scheduled for another Acth test in 2 weeks. Her Bm's are not without some trouble, She (in my eyes) is showing some trouble having a BM again. She seems to be straining a little more again. Maybe the healing proscess is still working. Her BM's are getting smaller in diamitor again. But, at last exam the vet didn't feel her bottom had changed an and will have it rechecked again the next time we go in 2 weeks. - Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who has been so caring and sent kind words to Cuddles. It's very much appreciated and helps to know so many care about this sweet girl who has gone through so much. - Cuddles Foster Mom
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October 5, 2002 - Cuddles was just adopted! Thank you to those that were
Cuddle's buddies. The generous support she received helped with her extensive
medical care and has given her the opportunity to have a happy life with
new owners who understand her medical needs. Everyone's kindness has truly
been an example of helping one small life who now has a chance at a happy
one and who will be romping the grounds in Georgia with her new dachshund
brothers and sisters. Thank you everyone for your true generosity and kindness
- Cuddles and CCDR.
So
off to another vet she went. After further testing it was concluded Cuddles
had a sudden onset Cushings disease. At present she is still going to the
vet weekly for tests to try to get the Cushings under control. She is presently
on Lydosyn to stabilize the disease but we are still struggling to find
out what is causing her difficulties when she tries to go potty.
She has another appointment soon to do further tests, to see if she has
an obstruction or partial twist of the intestine. We are all praying for
good news.
This
has to be one of the best news write-ups for Cuddles in a while!!!!!!
On Sept 4, 2002 Cuddles went to the vet for her Acth test to see how she
was doing. The results came back the following day! The vet has cleared
Cuddles of Cushings and has OKed her to go up for adoption! She doesn't
have to have another ACTH test for a full year!!!! WONDERFULL NEWS
Now comes the hard part of finding her a forever home. She will always
be a special needs girl. Since she will NEVER ever be house broken and
her unque way of going to the bathroom takes a while to get use to. This
couldn't have ever been done with out all of the prayers and buddies she
has had these months. We still are a long way from getting her vet bills
paid off but aleast now there won't be any more for some time. Thank you,
thank you, thank you to all of you who have been so kind!!! Soon
you'll see cuddles in the adoption pages!
