Shamus continues to need your help
with expensive surgeries on his hips.
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Update May 16, 2008

Foster Mom Cathy wrote:
Just before Christmas last year (2007), I received an email from a man who was very, very concerned about his neighbor's dog. The dog, an Old English Sheepdog who has now been named Shamus, lived all day - every day - on the end of a short chain in the backyard. He was rarely fed or given water, and in fact the neighbor would take him food and fresh water when the owners were not home. When it rained, or to find some relief from the heat and sun, Shamus would crawl under the house. The neighbor was getting more and more worried as Shamus had recently started to 'twitch' and he didn't know what could be causing it. The owners had already told him that they didn't want the dog and would happily hand him over to whoever wanted him.

As soon as I received the email, I contacted Texas Old English Sheepdog Rescue, who immediately stepped up and agreed to do whatever they could to help Shamus.

On Christmas Eve, he was signed over by his former owners and is now with me as a foster for TxOES Rescue. Shamus turned out to be a very young dog - he's only around 15 months or so and is a wonderful young guy with a fabulous personality. But.. even though he's just a big goofy puppy, he has some medical issues that need to be taken care of as soon as possible. His 'twitch' turned out to be classic Chorea - uncontrollable and constant body twitching/jerking as a result of Distemper. It still amazes me to think that he went though, and survived, Distemper. Knowing where he came from and the lack of care he was getting, I can only imagine that must have fought the disease on his own, with no supportive care at all. Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done for the Chorea - he will probably have it for the rest of his life, although it doesn't seem to impede him at all.

He also tested positive for Heartworms. But most pressing of all - he has severe hip dysplasia in both hips. Remember, he's only around 15 months old max and already has very bad degenerative bone disease in both hips. His left hip is completely dislocated and his right hip is continually popping in and out. Shamus gets around surprisingly well and loves to run and play, but his hips cause him pain and it will only get worse unless we do something as soon as possible. His primary vet referred us to LSU Vet School, who have recommended that he has a Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO) on both hips. Without this surgery (surgeries, actually), his dysplasia will get worse, causing him more and more pain and it will probably end up crippling him. The surgeries, though are very expensive - $1500 to $1800 (for each hip!!). Even though the cost is huge, this will happen for Shamus. It has to,  he's been through so much and has been such a fighter and he has such a strong heart and soul...

Back in December, Texas Old English Sheepdog Rescue - without hesitation - agreed to get this wonderful boy out of that horrible situation and promised him that he would never have to live like that again. Shamus is only one of many, many dogs that TxOES helps, many if not most of them arriving with medical issues that need attention. The group is absolutely committed to every single dog they take in but like most rescues, they don't have a bank account overflowing with dollars. Hence this email - I'm trying (begging) for anyone who would like to help Shamus to consider making a donation to Tx. OES Rescue to go towards his surgery cost. Anything, however small, would be appreciated more than you know. The group's website (where you can read more about Shamus) is http://www.texasoesrescue.org and they have PayPal set up on their site to receive donations. Shamus is one of the lucky ones - he's had his new beginning and now we're hoping that we can keep his story going all the way to the happy ending! Please help if you can....

{posted by Patty Meehan, on behalf of Cathy Damiano, Lafayette, LA}
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Posted February 15, 2008



 

Hi All,

Here's the current update on Shamus from Cathy.

It goes without saying that Shamus is still a wonderful boy. He's happy and
lively and curious. His twitch is very definitely still there and I can't
really say that it's improved. In fact, sometimes I think it's worse at
certain times - and for short periods it is, but then he's back to normal
just as quickly. I guess it's to be expected that he'll have good days and
bad days, even good hours and bad hours. The only consistent thing about it
- as I've always said, he is MUCH better when he's running, playing, being
active. On our walks, you wouldn't know that he twitches/jerks. Once he
stills, or calms or relaxes, it comes back. The twitching is always at its
peak when he first wakes up from sleeping or if he's been lying down for a
while. It seems to take him a minute to get back into the groove of things,
to get his systems working again. He still twitches when he sleeps, but it's
mainly his back legs.

During his worst periods, it's as if there's a hand on his neck and a hand
on his hips and they keep giving quick pushes down. If he's standing
stillish, not really doing anything, he tends to lay down, rather than
stand. I'm sure it's more comfortable for him that way, rather than having
to deal with the twitch AND keep himself upright at the same time. And he
doesn't really go down gently, he sort of collapses (that sounds extreme,
it's not as bad as it sounds..). It's like he says to himself "OK, I want to
lie down now so I'll just fall right here". He just sort of 'folds' down.
It's hard to describe. He does this outside on the concrete and inside on
the tile floor and it can sound awful when to hear his bones hit the ground
but it doesn't seem to bother him. I'm sure it might be causing some damage
to those bony areas though. If we're out walking and we stop, if it's for
any longer than 30 seconds or so (and if there's not something for him to
smell or to keep his attention), he'll sit by my side or even lay down at my
feet before we get going again. When he's wrestling with Charlie (my pug/chi
foster), he'll usually lay down while Charlie stands over him, this might be
because Charlie is so much smaller but I think he's just more comfortable
laying down rather than trying to hold himself up and playfight at the same
time.

I think much of this is due to him not being as strong as he should be, but
- I think he's getting stronger. It's slow and it's subtle but it's
happening and I know it'll take time and he's still got a long way to go. He
seems more sturdy and strong. Don't know if it's the diet, the supplements,
the VOM, the environment, the exercise - probably all of those, but I really
do think his general health, his general 'wellbeing', his body (apart from
the twitch) is getting slowly but steadily better. His back legs and hip
area (maybe even his lower back) are the areas that concern me the most. He
still needs to build up more muscle on his legs and build up his 'rear end'
section. I'm still convinced there's something going on with his right leg
or hip (and read down a bit for some news on this.......).

He's eating fine and taking all his supplements. I got the Chinese Herbs
that I told you about and he's taking those now, too. They're called Tian Ma
Plus II and I can send you a list of the ingredients if you'd like.

He still whimpers sometimes, when he's trying to get comfortable, or when
he's restless, or when he looks like he's trying to fall asleep. There's no
consistency, though - sometimes I won't hear him, sometimes I will and I
haven't figured out if he's done anything to cause him to whimper sometimes
and other times not. I honestly can't tell you whether it's due to pain or
frustration or whatever but I have to believe that it's just plain
frustration because I can't bear the thought of him in physical pain.

Twice now, he's got his front legs and body up on my sofa, which I was
thrilled with! It must be hard for him to carry all that weight (even though
it's not very much) on his back legs when he's so weak and twitching, so I'm
convinced that this is a good sign! And just yesterday, he sort of jumped up
on me when we were outside - again, this was a first for us (I think Ashlee
had said that he jumped on her once) so I was over the moon.

He still thinks he's our protector. He likes to use his voice and when we're
out and we see another dog (or a trash can!), his hackles go up and he
thinks he's the tough guy. He likes to be right where I am and sometimes I
feel so bad - I'm on the sofa and he's at my feet, relaxing, and then I'll
get up to move and so he wants to follow, even though I tell him I'll be
right back, but he doesn't understand, which means he has to get up (and
remember it always takes him a minute to get going) and wake up and get
moving.... But he's always there and when I'm on the floor with him, his
head is always right in my lap and those big brown eyes stare up and I would
give anything to know what he's thinking and feeling.

So I'm sure there's more I wanted to tell you but I can't remember right
now. That's my life these days, unfortunately.

Cathy

The link is http://youtube.com/watch?v=7czSZ7KiqGI  Shamus in Cathy's backyard.

Cindy

TxOES Rescue

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Posted January 15, 2008

Hi Fellow OES LOVERS,

Shamus is a 9mo old OES who was tied up in a yard in Port Arthur, Tx.  He was on a short chain and did not receive food regularly.  The next door neighbor sneaked him food and water.  The neighbor was so concerned that he initiated contact with Lafayette Animal Aid on this pup's behalf.  They, in turn, contacted TxOES Rescue.  Shamus' former owner agreed to release him to rescue and he was on his way to a foster home in Lafayette.



Unknown to us, "Shamus" is a survivor of distemper!  Unfortunately he has suffered neurological problems which resulted in "chorea" - uncontrollable tics / jerking.  The first vet who examined him suggested euthanasia as the best option...NOT!  Thankfully, with the help of Cathy (w/ Lafayette Animal Aid) we have an appointment tomorrow with Dr. Renee.  I am hopeful that she will see all the beautiful qualities this boy has and help us help him.  His condition will not be a quick cure and we are asking for donations to assist with his vet expenses.
The below links are two movies Ashlee (foster mom) made of his "tics". 

 
 

 

Ashlee & Jude have done a terrific welcoming this boy into their home. 

Cathy met Shamus for the first time the night before last. 
Below is her email to me:  Cindy -

It’s my pleasure to help – I feel attached to this boy already.
I had the pleasure of meeting him for the first time this evening. I spent 30 – 40 minutes with him and Ashlee, Jude and their children (and their other dogs and cat), and from what I saw, he is NOT a dog ready for euthanasia. He is a HAPPY boy. He has energy - he plays with the other dogs, he initiates play, he even sometimes tries to get the upper hand with them. He is fine with the children and loves attention. He runs around in the backyard and barks at noises. He barked at me when I first got there. He responds to his name and he comes when he’s called. He’s fine with the cat and from what I could see, basically ignores her/him. He prances. He does not seem “sick”, lethargic, depressed, or - from what I could see - in pain. No coughing, sneezing, snorting, wheezing... Ashlee and Jude said that he whimpers at night though, although it’s hard for them to say with certainty whether it’s due to pain or frustration or something else... His eyes are clear, his nose is clear, his ears look fine. His teeth and gums seem healthy.  If not for his physical tics (and his weight/build), he acts as any other young dog would.

He is very thin – but not really in an emaciated way, it’s hard to describe. It’s more that he’s just very, very “petite.” , he almost looks fragile. He absolutely needs to put on weight, but I think it’s more than just that. It’s sort of even like his growth might have been stunted? He’s got the length and the height, but not the width, if that makes sense. He has very little muscle, and it seems as if even his bones are “slim”. It’s hard to imagine them supporting another 20 pounds.

The strange thing is – his tics are so much improved when he’s outside, running and playing with the other dogs, or just generally being outside.  Inside, when he’s calm and still and quiet, it’s much worse. And then outside, during activity, play, excitement, there are periods when you wouldn’t even notice it. Even just being outside – still or active, seems to improve him.

I’m eager to find out what Dr. Renee will say.

Cathy

P.S. Ashley and Jude did a great job of grooming him, he doesn’t need to see to a groomer.

Thank y'all for your consideration! 

Regards,
Cindy Funderburke

TxOES Rescue