The President's Message: Kale'a On Her Way To Recovery

Kale'a came into rescue in March 09. Kale'a’s owner was a young man who could no longer care for her and sent her to his parents who in turn called Leo Rescue because they couldn’t “give her what she needed;” no health information was provided to Leo Rescue. Kale'a moved into foster care where it was discovered that she had perianal fistulas. Her condition, we found out, was dramatic and beyond anything we had ever seen. For the next 5 months Kale'a remained in foster care with a kind and generous person who tried her best to bring Kale'a’s condition under control. Under her foster mom’s care, K'alea’s condition did not worsen but neither did it get better.

Enter, Kale'a’s guardian angel. Deborah has extensive experience with perianial fistulas and took Kale’a into her home. Both Leo Rescue and Deborah are determined to get Kale’a on the road to recovery and conquer this diabolical disease which has plagued her for years.

Despite all the hardship Kale’a has faced for so long, she remains a kind, social and playful girl; she deserves our every efforts to make her healthy again.

The Crisis of Kale'a

Here is the story of Kale'a, a beautiful Leonberger we are caring for through LeoRescue's foster care program. Unfortunately, she has unique problems that have made her life very difficult. Please read her story below to learn about her and how you can help. Her story is chronological, with oldest entries at the bottom.

UPDATE #8: September 27, 2009

In the pool: As I mentioned earlier, she is now going in the pool all by her self. This was a huge accomplishment for her. A friend and I worked for weeks to get her to go in but she was too scared--now she's going in and out without fear. She loves to swim, although she needs to gain more muscle and stamina. I have also taken her swimming in the ocean and in the intercoastal waterway. She watched all the other dogs and you could see such determination in her face that she was going to do this thing too.

In the car: She ADORES going in the car, and has claimed the high status seat from the other dogs. I have to take her for a ride everyday (even just around the neighborhood) or she is very sad. I wonder if she enjoys the movement and the smells, or if at some level she thinks she is going home? I wonder what or if rescue dogs think of their earlier homes?

Sucking her toy: She is a real suckberger, and likes to suck a toy after dinner and out in the yard.

At this point, I can't bear the thought of her leaving--she isn't anywhere ready, anyhow, so I am just not going to think about it. My boys basically ignore her--they aren't mean in any way, just won't give her any attention. It is so unlike them, as they have lots of dog friends. I am wondering if once she doesn't smell sick if they will treat her differently. Now they sniff her rear and back away. My IBD Leo is in a flare, almost since she came, but I am confident that will subside. So basically, things are pretty peaceful with the pack.

[From Foster Mom, Deborah]

UPDATE #7: September 23, 2009

I just came from the vet's where he checked Kale'a's progress....First, she has gained 7 pounds in the 3 weeks since her last visit! Her hair is no longer coming out in handfulls. Her fistulas are looking much, much better. She was such a good girl and allowed him to do a rectal exam with no sedation today. One fistula at 7 o'clock position is still bad, but the others have improved. I'm so thrilled! This was supposed to be the visit where we made a plan for the next step in treatment--either tacrolimus cream, prednisone, keto, cyclo, azathioprine--a host of medications I didn't want to use due to side effects. He felt that since she is getting better, we could continue a natural approach--raw diet, herbs, & lots of supplements to strengthen her immune system, etc. for another 4-6 weeks and then check her again. I am cleaning her rear twice a day and using a mixture he compounded himself, and that with the diet and fish oil, coconut oil, prebiotics, probiotics, vitamins, etc are letting her heal naturally.

She continues to be a sweetheart. She has learned to go in and out of the pool herself, finally, and has started to love swimming. She LOVES to ride in the car, and is learning to not be scared on walks. She loves being brushed, groomed, or fussed over. She loves to bark--(at some point I will have to work on that, but for now I'm glad she feels so comfortable). She has fit into the routines here like she's been here years instead of a month. Everyone who meets her is so impressed with how sweet & loving she is. I will send more photos for her page soon. They're in the camera & must be transferred.

[From Foster Mom, Deborah]

UPDATE #6: September 21, 2009

Kale'a is such a sweet girl. She continues to follow Hugo's every move, and has settled in to the household routine so well. I have taken her to the beach twice and the intercoastal waterway and dog park once. She LOVES going in the car and so on busy days I just put her in the car with the guys and drive them around a little for a treat. When you pick up the leash she spins around and around. She is getting braver each day--yesterday chased a squirrel at the far end of the yard, and she continues to get braver about her daily swimming lessons. A friend came last week to visit with her 2 dogs and Kale'a was friendly and wanted to play.

Health wise, I still am so worried about her. It seems like she keeps losing weight though I feed her and feed her. (My worry meter starts--could it be EPI*?) She also has such a hoarse, raspy bark and snores like crazy, breathes so noisily with only a little exercise (again, I worry--LP?) I ordered special prebiotics with stomach settling herbs and those with probiotic pills, & yogurt seem to have improved her appetite. She is wonderful about letting me clean and treat her PFs twice a day. She is almost done with a round of antibiotics and we go back to the vet this week to make a plan for further attacking the PFs.

My boys tolerate her but won't play with her (though she tries to engage them). I am hoping that will come. Each day I find things to celebrate in her recovery.

She is laying at my feet as I type, happily sucking on a stuffed toy.

(* EPI = Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency)

[From Foster Mom, Deborah]

UPDATE #5: September 1, 2009

So our little girl had a big day today--first, she walked the perimeter of the yard all by herself without me walking
with her (she's gaining confidence). Then, I put on
her new pretty girl collar and shiny new ID tag and she went to daycare with the boys.....I have been taking her there just to walk in the office for 5 minutes every few days so
she could get used to it, as I need her to be able to go
there on my long days. She has been just riding along when I take mine so she will learn that the car is fun, then coming home with me so I have alone time with her.
Also, she so badly wants to play with my two, who won't give her the time of day, so I want her to find some play friends there. Today the plan was that I'd go in with her and sit in one of the play rooms with her and another few dogs for 15 minutes or so, then we'd leave. However, she followed my two in all by herself and we put her in with a big group (with me in there too.) After 10 minutes, it was clear she wasn't stressed, so I left her there milling around sniffing with about 25 other dogs. I came home to prep for class and watched her online. I live about 5 minutes away, so could run back for her if necessary. She seemed fine so got to stay about 2 hrs!

Then tonight, for the first time she ate a turkey neck without me holding it for her (I have been sitting on the floor holding the slimy thing and helping her chew with her back teeth. She tries to eat everything with her front teeth.) She is letting me lift her tail now too, so I can begin to treat her pfs. A few pictures are attached. My favorite is her belly up rolling in the grass with joy! The blurry one is her in daycare, tail up.

[From Foster Mom, Deborah]

UPDATE #4: One Week Anniversary

Tonight marks one week since this sweet girl arrived at my house.  Each day has been a learning experience for her--and she's enjoyed her week, each day seeming happier and more settled (until today -- more later).  She has toys spread all over, in and outside and loves to play and suck on them.  She follows Hugo everywhere, and has even gone in the pool for 3 swimming lessons.  She is so smart and so eager to please -- she's just been a joy.  She still has lots to learn (like walking on a leash which she does atrociously-probably never was walked), but I feel confident that will all be easy for her. The last few days she's gone out and rolled belly up in the grass, grinning and snorting -- you can see in her face how happy she is.  She is eating me out of house & home but not gaining any weight -- she's about 25 lbs underweight.  I'm going to mix up satin balls and try those. 

Today she got examined while knocked out.  Tremendous amount of scar tissue, chronic fistulas.  The hole near her vagina that had baffled the vet turned out to be a fistula also.  When he went to flush it with solution, thinking maybe they'd left something in when they spayed her, or other foreign object of nefarious origin was there, the solution emerged 4 inches higher out of a fistula.  Damn.  He said it's like hamburger inside -- a mess of fistulas, all infected.  He mixed up a concoction to put on topically, but feels a long term aggressive approach will be necessary.  There's also probably hip displasia, but I'm not concerned with that now. The vet & techs kept saying what a nice girl she is -- worth saving.  I agree.  It was thundering when I picked her up, and she seems very freaked by thunder, so she's had a scary and unpleasant day.  I keep telling her tomorrow will be better.

[From Foster Mom, Deborah]

UPDATE #3: Bad News & Good News

Hi all, I have good news  & bad news in regards to Kale'a... Ffirst the bad news:

My vet spent a very long time with us this am, reading over the file I had on her (which was actually only receipts from her vet visits while in her first foster situation), etc.  He initially was discouraging, feeling that her condition may be of such long standing that it would prove difficult to treat.  I also got the distinct feeling he disapproved of me taking her in when I already have 2 dogs with immune issues who might feel stressed by her joining us....However, she was such a good girl during the visit--clearly nervous, but affectionate with him & the tech.  He kept saying what a nice dog she was and I think he will do his best for her.  She was excellent when he had to lift her tail to look at her, which we both knew was very painful for her.  Her PFs are actually not flaring--they are there, but not oozing.  He's seen worse, which is encouraging in an odd way. The main problem is that she has a ghastly gaping infected hole near her vaginal opening, about 4 inches under the anus.  The vet was baffled, doesn't think it is a related to the fistulas.    He spoke of it possibly being caused by a foreign object (?!) --enough said--and needs to sedate her to examine it and the fistulas. We will have that done on Friday, my day off, but meanwhile have antibiotics...better news in 2nd post.

Ok, now for better news:

We had friends come up yesterday to see her, one of whom used to do temperament testing for a rescue group.  She pronounced Kale'a to be "very sound."  Health issues aside, she is a lovely dog--perfectly housetrained, well-mannered, very gentle in taking treats.  She has a very endearing way of shaking her head when you ask her a question, bounces for her supper, has a wide range of soft barks and wookie noises, is playful and affectionate. She was very happy to have company and visited everyone for pets.  At one point, she picked up a toy & sprinted around the pool twice--totally joyful.  She was then exhausted as she has no stamina, but it was a spontaneous expression of happiness.

She is quite smart--has learned that one dog will come running to the front door if the other barks--so this morning she barked at the front door and brought them both running.  She did it outside, too, at the spot where Hugo and the dachsaunds next door engage in there daily fence bark (now these same dogs frequently tunnel under the fence into my yard and come in and run around.  In the yard, Hugo ignores them, but behind the fence he barks at them with gusto and a wagging tail--one of the highlights of his day.  Kale'a is trying so hard to get Hugo to play with her/pay attention to her.  This worked and it was clear she knew exactly what she was doing.  Unfortunately, neither of my dogs is happy she is here.  I am hoping that with some time that will change. She will make someone a wonderful, wonderful dog.

[From Foster Mom, Deborah]

UPDATE #2: August 22, 2009

As I sit here typing this, Arwen is sucking on a stuffed toy....makes me want to weep with happiness.  I had to teach today so was gone
5 hrs, but Francisco stayed with the dogs and they spent the day together with no separation needed.  When I got home I got out a bag from the garage with about 50 stuffed animals.  Her previous foster mentioned she was a suckberger, but no toys arrived with
her, so perhaps she didn't have a favorite.  (Hugo only sucks on one toy which he has had for 7 yrs.  It is disgusting looking but I take it wherever we go for him).  Anyhow, Arwen was really interested--but Hoku came and took the toys one by one to his bed then lay down on them.  Tonight he is away from the toys,so after 2 dinners, she started sniffing each one, then picked one to shake and throw--tail wagging, making noises--being playful and silly.  She is now sucking.  A miracle com-
pared to 24 hrs ago when she was shaking
and cringing & pacing.

I am concerned by how thin she is--her records show she's actually lost about 10 lbs--she seems almost emaciated.  Her foster mom said she was a picky eater and often wouldn't eat, but she is eating like crazy--am going to feed her 4 small meals a day, like a puppy. She also is drinking constantly, and kind of drags her left leg -- both rear legs are stiff when she walks, but that is probably the pain.  Her pfs look ghastly.  Vet on monday.

Sorry to be so wordy, but it is so exciting to see the change in her that I can't help it.

I have narrowed her new name from a list of Hawaiian names (where I'm from) to 2 that she seems to like and responds to--Kamea (sweet darling), and Kale'a (bright joy).  I like the idea of joy as it is her turn for that--plus I think she will bring joy to whatever home she ends up in. 

[From Foster Mom, Deborah]

UPDATE #1: August 21, 2009

Just a quick update on Arwen (soon to have a new name)...Arwen is here in South Florida in her new foster home. Thanks to everyone who sent supportive emails and advice, and a huge thank you to Colin & Becky, who transported her right to my doorstep.

Arwen is a beautiful girl. She has a sweet, sweet face and gorgeous eyes. I absolutely cannot imagine this dog being euthanized. Despite her traumatic last few days she is calm, though extremely nervous. She is staying very close and comes up for loves and scritches, though is pacing a lot. She responds to a happy voice and praise. My boyfriend Francisco has just hand fed her turkey and salmon stew that I fixed for her this afternoon. She was interested in the turkey neck we gave her but had no idea what to do with it. We are trying to teach her that all good things will come from us. She is ravenous....& is very, very skinny. We are feeding her a little at a time so she won't get sick. She is hanging right by him as he is now grilling our supper.

I have not been able to examine her fistulas as her tail area is very sensitive. She still has her tail tucked between her legs and I don't want to lift it to see the damage until she's more comfortable with me. I will give her a few days to be comfortable then will take her to my vet to see if we can get her off the cancer-causing cyclo meds she's on and onto a different treatment plan. Unfortunately she was given vaccines and Rimadyl when she first came to rescue, which isn't good for her fistulas. Next week an animal communicator (aka psychic) may come to talk to all the dogs. My leo Hugo is mostly ignoring her, a little growly but being very good, overall. My old guy is in time out for being very growly. Tomorrow the baby gates will get installed--I waited to see if we needed them. Better safe than sorry.

I will try to send some pictures tomorrow--she actually stood in the pool on the leonberger ledge we had put in--so hopefully soon she will be swimming and playing. More news to follow.

[From Foster Mom, Deborah]

Kale'a Needs Your Help!

Kale'a’s treatment is and will continue to be expensive for as long as it takes to bring her disease under control. Leonberger Rescue is appealing to our generous community for help in covering these expenses.

We will set up a Kale'a fund, all donations made in her name will be used strictly to cover her veterinary expenses.

Donations can be sent to:
Julie Karamanos, LeoRescue Treasurer
4827 Utah Street
San Diego, CA 92116-1426
Make the check payable to Leonberger Rescue, Inc.

Or you can use PayPal. Our account is webmaster@leonberger-rescue.org.

Leonberger Rescue, Inc. is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization and all donations are tax deductible.

On behalf of Kale'a, Deborah and the Leo Rescue team we wish to thank you all for your generous support!

Nathalie Vadim, President