Past updates on Aviva

Aviva has come back to ASR and we are are working with veterinary specialists to determine how to help her attain a healthy weight and appetite.  Poor girl  weighs only 52 lbs and an ideal weight for her size is 80 lbs or more!  Frail as she is, Aviva is a sweet and affectionate dog.

She is currently fostered  and doing well with two other GSD siblings

Aviva's life before ASR was not so good.  She was a victim of neglect and possibly abuse. When animal control arrived  she was in a filthy yard with no food, water or shelter in 95 degree heat.

Her devoted foster is hand feeding twice a day, making sure this sweet girl receives her B-12 injections and treating her food with pancreatic enzymes as we work to find out the cause of her extremely poor body condition.
ASR is committed to helping Aviva achieve a healthy weight and be ready for her forever home.

Aviva's visit with an  Internal Medicine/Gastrointestinal specialist (and various lab work / sonograph)   cost over $1000;  EPI Meds and B-12 an initial $150. Because she yelps in pain when opening her mouth for meds or food,  her next visit will be with a Vet Dental specialist for X Rays. The anticipated cost for the exam is approximately $500.  Actual cost: $1,900.00

7/1 Update:  Aviva has gained 2 lbs. in one month!  We are celebrating with a couple of extra treats; Aviva's favorite is dehydrated lamb lung : )   Aviva still is hand/spoon fed 2x daily. Our follow-up appt. with the dentist today has still left us with unanswered questions as to why Aviva will not eat on her own.  Just the same, she is an incredibly sweet girl that loves human attention. Aviva makes friends with everyone she meets, wagging her tail and pushing her head into the person's hand for an ear rub. 

7/11 Update: Vivi met with her veterinarian today to begin a course of steroids. It is hoped that this will alleviate the inflammation in her gums and allow her to eat on her own.  Vivi still weighs just 54 lbs. in spite of being fed approximately 1,800 calories each day.

8/05 Update: Aviva, or Vivi, after undergoing an endoscopy and several biopsies has been diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. While there is no cure for this, it is manageable/controlled with diet and medication.  Vivi is improving in every aspect; she eats on her own, has more energy, and appears to have gained more weight. She returns to the vet for recheck on the 12th and we are expecting more good news for this beautiful dog!

8/12 Update: This is a huge update, we are all doing the ASR "Happy Dance"!  Vivi weighed in at a whopping 61.9 lbs this morning!  She has a nice round, full belly, perfect for rubbing : )   Because she has done so well these past two weeks, Vivi will not have to return to the vet for her recheck for 30 days!!!

8/31 Update: Well, we had a little setback this week.  Vivi was in a little distress last Sunday and needed a trip to the ER.  A little shot and she was well enough to go home, with the condition she see her own vet on Monday.

Vivi was diagnosed with pancreatitis on Monday and had to spend 48 hours with her vet. No food, no water. She had IV fluids and meds via injection.  Fortunately Vivi weighs 65 lbs so no big setback on the weight.  She is MUCH better now, though our bank account took a huge hit!!   All this means is that Vivi cannot eat table scraps or food with a fat content higher than 10%.  She'll need more protein and little fiber/grains. Vivi will return to the vet next week for a follow-up and should be found in good health.

9/16 Update: Back to the vet for a recheck.  Vivi weighed in at 69.5 lbs!!  We celebrated :-)  but only for a moment.  The pancreatitis caused Vivi's liver values to shoot off the chart. She will take a new med for just 30 days and then all should be well.   All in all, Vivi is doing incredibly well. She's eating a prescription diet that she likes and taking far fewer meds than she was a month ago. Progress continues!

9/30 Weight Update: Just ran in for Vivi's Canine Flu Booster and weight check: She's up to 73 lbs!!

10/14 Update:  Back in for our 30 day recheck. Vivi weighs 80 lbs now and is looking like a real dog should!  The Prednisone is down to once daily with another decrease in two weeks to every other day.Vivi has made tremendous progress since June when she weighed a paltry 52 lbs.   She can now begin transitioning to regular dog food-gradually .  Vivi will continue the liver meds for another 30 days even though her liver values are greatly improved.

11/16 Update: We saw the vet this week and received more good news.  Vivi is up to 87 lbs  : ) and her liver levels are closer to normal. She'll remain on the liver meds and reduced Prednisone for another 60 days when we return to Dr. Negola.  This in itself is great news as we have been seeing Dr. Negola every 30 days!!   Vivi is happy, playful (especially when it comes to pulling toys out of the basket!) and enjoying her fur sibling's companionship.

12/23: Merry Christmas! Vivi is waiting for Santa, hoping he won't notice that she likes to sneak ornaments off the Christmas tree!! She's looking forward to a new toy or two, but most importantly a family of her very own.  Vivi has been a good girl, and is greatly improved in her health and activity. Where she used to lag behind while out for a walk, she now trots at my side or slightly ahead and is going for much longer distances. Vivi and her fur-brother often enjoy a good wrestle or game of chase around the kitchen table, especially if there is a squeaky toy involved!  

1/16/ Update: Vivi saw Dr. Negola this week for her 60 day check up. With the exception of having lost a pound (now 86 lbs), it was a good visit.  Her liver function is back within normal limits so no more meds for that. Vivi will continue on the 2.5 mgs of Prednisone every other day for two more months. Since Vivi has gotten a bit pickier about her food, she is taking an appetite stimulant once daily to see if it helps her eat more. She is off the prescription food and now eats Blue Buffalo turkey & potato for sensitive tummies.

3/10/14 Update:  Vivi had her 60 day recheck today and came through with flying colors!!  She is a very healthy 85 lbs, her vet would like her not to gain anymore weight.  Blood work came back showing good levels across the board.  Dr. Negola would now like to begin weaning Vivi off the Prednisone. This will take about 60 days, barring any complications.  Vivi currently takes 2.5 mgs. every other day.  Needless to say, I am ecstatic with today's good news! We will return to Dr. Negola in June for a recheck.