When I got to his farm, we couldn't locate him for awhile. Where was he snoozing? After a while, we found him resting beneath a structure, looking very lethargic as well. Just as I was wondering just how bad is his cough and what it sounds like, Xiao Bai broke into a dry, hacking episode of cough - a gagging kind of dry hacking cough that makes me feel the discomfort he must have gone thru for the past few weeks.
On the way to the vet, he's not too keen you can tell.
A common kennel cough would have cleared up within 2 weeks or less. Canine bronchitis may take longer.
Canine Bronchitis:
"Short cough spells, which sound like a rattle and don't really impress the animal much are not a matter of worry. They actually help clear the throat from any bothersome phlegm, which, in general, the dogs do not spit out, but rather swallow. All this indicates that it is a light bronchitis and if your dog is still in a good mood, has a good appetite, and his body temperature does not go above 39 degrees Celsius."
The good thing is Xiao Bai's temperature is at a normal 38.2 degrees, he still has a normal appetite, has not lost weight, does not have a heart murmur.
Having his temperature taken.
He's started on his course of treatment which basically offer relief and prevent further infections while awaiting the cough to clear on its own.
Incidentally, Xiao Bai never had cough before in the years on the farm but was hit by this coughing episode soon after he was caught and impounded. He could possible have been infected by another dog while he was caught and impounded in the pound. This is my personal suspicion.
Xiao Bai's treatment costs $65. Any amount of support will be appreciated. Pls email projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg
* For those who are new to Project JK, we are just 2 volunteers (and recently a 3rd friend who helps us when she can) who do what we can, one animal at a time. We do not have excess in our funds. In fact, we already have overdrawn on the donations we have received from kind donors for each case we handle and appeal for.
We have managed fine so far, covering for the medical expenses at each case as we go along. The outstanding amount we have now is $450 for Guppy who was treated for heartworm, but unfortunately his condition was too chronic for recovery.
This is the only amount outstanding which I had not appealed for, as his case made me feel, at that moment, and I am being blatantly honest now - that we have 'wasted' money on him. I was really hoping for his recovery, I had thought the treatment would work, but when we did a post-mortem and I saw with my own eyes the number of worms he has in his heart, I knew it was too late for him.
Guppy's heart infested with heartworms.
That was more than a month ago and I couldn't make myself write an appeal for Guppy who died. But I realised I had indirectly put it across to people that we had wasted our time and efforts and money on Guppy, when in fact, we had chosen to give him a chance. Chosen to go ahead with treatment so that possibly he could be running along with his brother right now. A chance that he could be alive now.
The sad fact that Guppy didn't make it doesn't make our decision any less right. We should not withhold treatment when there is a chance, should we? Or does anyone think that we should calculate the costs because Guppy is a stray? What if Guppy is a home pet? Doesn't that make a decision more clear-cut? Being a stray sometimes comes with a less than privileged or even reasonable course of thought and decision.
So I do not feel 'bad' anymore about asking for your donation on behalf of Guppy. Yes, he has passed away now. But he had been given a chance at life. And we hope that those of you who understand this will support us by seeing his medical treatment fully accounted for.
In all, we are raising $635 for Guppy ($450), Xiao Bai ($65) and Jamie ($120).
With that, we will have more courage to make the right decisions in future. Right decisions that will not be hampered by a concern of finances.
Thank you.
1 comment:
In my personal opinion, no living creature can be considered any lesser than the other, whether strays or not, rich or poor, healthy or sick. I fully agree everyone deserves a chance, as long as our resources permit. Nothing is ever "wasted", when u know u have done the right thing and your conscience is clear. Kudos to all your efforts!
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