A Special Day For A Special Little Girl!

Today is a very, very special day for foster mom Cathy and her foster girl Gianna or GiGi as she calls her. (Read GiGi's story here.) Today GiGi will undergo a very delicate surgery to correct her eyes. This is the very FIRST time CPCRN has been able to approve the cost of this amazing operation. GiGi’s Foster Mom has raised money to help with this expense and GiGi has also been helped by her own Guardian Angels, but it is through YOUR equally amazing generosity that this surgery is possible!

Due to YOUR support Col. Potter was able to win the Yahoo! "Be a Better Inspiration" Charity Contest and receive matching funds from Yahoo! Thanks to YOU Col. Potter is able to go where we have never gone before! We dug deep and raised those “unique” donations. We kept on trying to spread the word and struggling for just $10 more, even when it looked like we could not win. Then when all was said and done, we DID win and we did it fair and square thanks to YOUR support. So today when GiGi goes under the anesthetic and her surgeon makes those tiny incisions in her eyes, all our hearts will be with her. The same sense of “oneness” that bound us together when we thought we had lost the Yahoo! contest and lifted us so high when we found out we had won, will hold GiGi in our prayers and hopefully will bring her once again into the daylight of vision.

Col. Potter has the funds to be able to help this sweet little girl THANKS to YOU and to YAHOO! for their matching donation! On behalf of our very special little girl, GIGI, all the CPCRN volunteers collectively say THANK YOU!! THANK YOU for helping to make this possible and THANK YOU for helping us help GIGI!!

Update from GiGi's Foster Mom: The doctor called and said GiGi's surgery went really well. (He's a man of few words). She's in recovery and I'll be calling a little later to make sure she's still doing okay. I'll be picking her up sometime tomorrow after 12pm.

GiGi Update From Her Foster Mom

When I spoke with the vet technician yesterday she told me how suprised they were at how quickly GiGi bounced back from surgery. If you know this little girl, you wouldn't be surprised .... she shows a lot of tenacity and determination. I was just glad to hear she was doing so well, because her diabetic condition could interfere with her health care.

I went to pick GiGi up at the specialty hospital, and she was brought out with one of those plastic cones around her neck. I almost didn't recognize her. With the cataracts gone, you could actually see her beautiful brown eyes again. My friend, Sandy, told me I'll need to wear shin guards while GiGi's wearing "the cone". Well, we didn't even leave the facility, and I was already assaulted by that thing. It sure didn't hinder GiGi from sniffing around outside though.

We were sent home with 2 different eye drops, an eye ointment and oral anti-inflammatories that need to be given several times a day for 6 weeks or more. I'm getting rather good at administering medications and insulin injections. As long as I bribe her with food, GiGi is a more than willing patient. She seems rather tired from her ordeal, and has been napping peacefully, even with "the cone" on. I'm glad to have her back home with us, safe and sound. She's still not out of the woods yet, but with her dogged determination, I know she will make a complete recovery. We want to thank all of her well-wishers, all of those who prayed for her, and especially those who donated to her eye fund, so that GiGi could have this surgery that will give her back her sight. Thank you from the bottom of GiGi's little heart.

A GiGi Update From Her Foster Mom!!

It's been a week since GiGi's cataract surgery and the transformation in her personality is almost astonishing. It's so obvious to me that she's so much happier and fuller of life. Back to her spunky old self. I used to find her sitting around staring into space a lot, but now she's outside romping around the yard (the cone and all) like she's seeing the world for the first time. If she could speak I think she'd be saying "Yipee! I can see again!"

Her first recheck visit went well. The doc said everything looks good. We did have a minor problem with one of the eye drops causing some irritation, but since we replaced it with a different one, everything has been fine. GiGi has been an awesome patient. She is so cooperative with getting eye drops and ointment four times a day (of course yummy treats help the medicine go down as they say), along with her daily insulin injections. She's even tolerating that awful "cone" around her neck really well. (I think it bothers me more than it bothers her.)

I had a strong feeling that giving GiGi back her vision would make her a much happier dog, but had no idea just how huge an impact it would actually make. It seems as if we've pardoned her from a life sentence of darkness and despair, into a world full of sunshine and happiness. Thank you again, from the bottom of GiGi's little heart for making this happen for her.

GiGi Update #3 From Her Foster Mom!

GiGi went to see the eye specialist for her second follow-up visit today. After the doc checked her eyes (which look beautiful, by the way), he said she was doing a great job of healing, and I was doing a great job with the eye drops. He is truly a man of few words, but seemed really pleased at the outcome of her surgery and her recovery. He thanked me for doing such a good job (Yeah!), and I thanked him for giving GiGi her sight back and making her a happy dog again (Yeah!).

I was advised that there are potential complications of cataract surgery which can be glaucoma, retinal detachment, and corneal ulcerations. Compared to humans, dogs seem to be more sensitive to eye surgery and will have a lot more post-op inflammation. This is why eye drops and ointments are administered 4 times a day... to try to lessen the chance of these complications occurring. So far it seems as though we're doing a great job. No ulcerations or irritations were seen during the docs exam today. In another week she can stop wearing "the cone" so much. Thank goodness...I don't know how she can sleep with that thing on, but she does.

The doc wants GiGi to come in for follow-up visits over the next 6 months so that he can check her eye pressure. (High eye pressure can be a sign of glaucoma.) Her pressure checks so far have been in the normal range (Yeah!). At this point, even with her diabetes, the doctor seemed happily surprised at how well she's recovering. I'm thinking all those thoughts and prayers that were sent GiGi's way by everyone have certainly paid off. Thanks for sending them!

GiGi Update After Her 3rd Follow-Up Visit

GiGi went for her third follow-up visit with the eye specialist this week. It seems that her right eye is bothering her a bit (it seemed to bother her a lot even before the surgery), and it's a little irritated, so we need to keep "the cone" on her for another week or two so she can't rub or scratch it. That darn cone really gets in the way of her climbing up the stairs, and when she's sleeping at night. But most of the time she tolerates it really well. The doc said we were doing a "good job" with her post-op care, and he was very pleased with her progress. Her eye pressures are low, which is great because high pressures can be a sign of glaucoma, which can be a side affect from cataract surgery.

It seems as though her diabetes has been temporarily affected due to all the stress and medication she's been taking. Once she's back to her normal routine with no more eye drops and without "the cone" she'll be back to her old self again. It's just amazing to look into her face and have her looking back at ME and not up at the ceiling anymore. She literally looks years younger, and is just so happy and playful, all because she can see again. She's visably more relaxed around my two other dogs, and even wants to join in when it's playtime. She's the queen bee when she's outside, and just loves to sit in the grass and soak in the warm sunshine. What an amazing transformation this has been for this little girl. We can't thank you enough for helping make this happen for her. I believe that GiGi will only find good things to come in her future. I like to think that we have given her back her quality of life so that she can live happily for years to come. Now we just need to find that special forever home for this very special and deserving little girl to call her own.

CP Curly Finds Magic in Forever!!!

Written by Merlin fka CP Curly

Merlin fka CP Curly with his Mystic Krewe of Salty Barkers Pirate bandanna

Ahoy there!  Oh-oh!  I meant “Hello there!”  Wearing this fancy bandana from the Pirates of the Carrabellean, I guess I got carried away!  Dad took me to this great Riverfront Festival and let me help at the Gulf Specimen Display table.  What is a “Gulf Specimen Display” you ask?  Well, I’m really not sure - but it was really lots of fun to help out there – and I even won the “Best Beard” in the pet contest!

My Dad is a great companion!

Of course, I’m not sure what this “pet” business is all about.  I mean, a pet is like a goldfish or something – and I’m no goldfish!  I’m my Dad’s son!  He told me so!  Forever and ever!  You see, I used to live in a house with a lot of other dogs.  Eight years I lived like that!  I might have been a pet then, I’m not really sure.  But then I got “rescued” by a very nice lady and suddenly it was me and her and only two other dogs.  She called me “Curly” and told me she was my Foster Mom, and Ella and Gigi were my Foster sisters.  Ella was very nice to hang out with, but Gigi just wanted to hang out with Foster Mom.  That was OK because I really liked Ella!

My new sister, Ellie, thinks I’m a great companion too!

Every day, Foster Mom helped me feel more “special” than I ever had, and then, one day, Foster Mom said I was “adopted” – which made me nervous – but we went for a little ride in the car and met my Dad!  I really liked him a Lot, and then when we got Home, there was Ellie waiting for me!  Like magic!   It was like someone waived a magic wand and traded my Foster Mom and Ella for a Dad and Ellie!  Neat trick!

Flowers!  I thought Dad said “lay”…  Hmmmmm…

Of course, Dad didn’t take long to come up with a new name for me.  I did a very nice job taking the toys and hiding them, you know, under cushions, or chairs, that sort of thing.  Just keeping everything safe!  Well, Dad looked down at me one morning, sitting innocently by Ellie’s toy box – I meant, by Ellie’s empty toy box – and he said to me, “Son, you are like a magician, making all of your sister’s toys disappear all the time…  I guess you must be a Merlin!”  So, like magic, I became “Merlin” just like that!

Dad and I drove a long way for a dog obedience class, but it turned out that we were the only ones who showed up.  The trainer was very nice but she said we would benefit more from a group class, so we have to try going back some other time - and hopefully more people and dogs will show up!  Training is so important, I have discovered!  Every dog should have some!

What’s that, Ellie?...  Oh...

Surf’s up!

I love my Dad and Ellie, and Dad is very happy with me and especially likes that I am such an affectionate Cairn - with a great personality, if I do say so myself!  Thank you Foster Mom and all the Volunteers at Col. Potter for changing my life when things looked pretty hopeless, and I want to especially thank my Dad for adopting me when other people might have thought I was too old, and for putting so much Magic into my life – Forever!

Read my Col. Potter Intake story:

http://cairnrescue.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-lost-boys-find-col-potter.html

Two Week Update on GiGi From Her Foster Mom!

It's been two weeks since GiGi's eye surgery and she continues to improve every day. She is much more full of life than I've ever seen her. It's amazing how much younger she's been acting since the surgery. She practically runs down the stairs in the morning (wanting to be the first one in the kitchen for breakfast). She's really quite a character, and likes to have conversations with me. Since she can see again, she's so excited in the mornings to get to eating breakfast that she gives me what for when I don't move fast enough, and does this little dance around the kitchen. She can be very vocal in her demands, but it's quite endearing. When she goes up to bed in the evening without "the cone" on, she actually bounds up the stairs like she's wearing a pair of wings. She beats her Cairn buddy every time, and he's at least four years her junior.

The doc said she would most likely have some blurriness with her up close vision and it does show at times. She can't really tell where the last step is on the landing, but nothing stops this determined little girl. We haven't been walking much since the doc said to wait a few weeks before exercising again. It'll be nice to walk her now, and not have to worry about her falling off curbs, or tripping over newspapers, or having to use the handicap ramps (but they were a blessing when we needed them).

When she's ready for a nap she likes to snuggle on the quilt that some of the Col. Potter volunteers make for all the foster Cairns. She has her favorite chair with her quilt on it. Now that she can see, instead of going upstairs to her bed and feeling depressed, she jumps up on her "throne" and watches over all the activity in the house. It truly is heartwarming to see her so full of life again. Thanks to everyone for making this happen for her.

Sunday Sweets!

 

Sunday is full of SWEETS!  Each week we showcase the sweeter side of Cairns.  If you have a sweet filled Cairn and would like us to consider YOUR photo for an upcoming "Sunday Sweets!" send it to us at cpcrnblog@gmail.com (All photo submissions become the property of CPCRN and may be used for fundraising, promotion and/or outreach purposes.).

Gus and Sesi enjoy some quiet time together

Fleet is fall-ready with his orange harness

Sweet William enjoying some couch time

Mr. Wallace got a second set of teeth (not really)

Miss Gigi.......sees a squirrel

Mr. Grover and his serious side

Doris says "I'm ready, are you ready?"

Chester strikes a pose 

Zach (CP Mr. McGregor) celebrating his 5th Gotcha Day

Sunday Sweets!

Sunday is full of SWEETS!  Each week we will showcase the sweeter side of Cairns.  If you have a sweet filled Cairn and would like us to consider YOUR picture for an upcoming "Sunday Sweets!" send it to us at cpcrnblog@gmail.com (All photo submissions become the property of CPCRN and may be used for fundraising, promotion and/or outreach purposes.).

Sir. Buster

Jake fka CP Goldenheart

Caruso and Miss Macie - Happy 1st Gotcha Day, Macie!

BoBo aka Bo fka CP Bogedin

Cheri fka CP Shimmer

Valentine Angel

WiiGii aka Luigi Earl

Foster Tribble

Tootsie

Binky

Donnie

Blossom

Pearl and GiGi

Mika

Gabby and Tess

Bristol

Wrigley

Rocky… Just BeCuz!

PHENOBARBITAL 32.4 MG RECALL - MISLABELED - PLEASE READ

We wanted to forward some information regarding an urgent recall related
to 32.4 mg Phenobarbital labeled product: Please see below for details and
please share on your listserves.

Forwarded message from the NCSU-CVM Pharmacist, Gigi Davidson:

Please read below. Apparently Qualitest has mislabeled hydrocodone
10mg/acetaminophen 500mg tablets as phenobarbital 32.4mg tablets.
Several adverse drug reactions have already been reported in dogs
receiving the mislabeled drug (probably acetaminophen toxicity).

The VTH pharmacy has not ever stocked Qualitest Phenobarbital 32mg
tablets, but please inform any clients that have had prescriptions
filled at other pharmacies for phenobarbital 30mg to contact their
pharmacies to be certain that this mislabeled product was not dispensed.

Unfortunately, no affected lot numbers have been reported yet.

Please click here for the fda link

http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/CVMUpdates/ucm246624.htm

*FDA Advises Veterinarians of Recent Recall of Human Drug, Phenobarbitol*

*/Drug is Prescribed for Animals Extralabel/*

March 10, 2011

The Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM)
has become aware of a human drug recall for Phenobarbital tablets.
Phenobarbital is prescribed by veterinarians as an extralabel use for
treating seizures in animals.

On February 5, 2011, Qualitest Pharmaceuticals voluntarily recalled
several lots of Phenobarbital 32.4 mg and Hydrocodone Bitartrate and
Acetaminophen Tablets 10 mg/500 mg due to a label mix-up between the two
drug products. Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminophen Tablets were
incorrectly labeled as Phenobarbital tablets 32.4 mg. As a result of
this mix-up, pets may unintentionally be given Hydrocodone and
Acetaminophen tablets instead of the intended drug, Phenobarbital.

CVM has recently received 3 serious adverse event reports involving dogs
treated with Phenobarbital tablets manufactured by Qualitest
Pharmaceuticals. One report cited two of the three affected lot numbers
for the recalled product. The remaining two reports did not provide the
lot numbers

Sunday Sweets

Sunday is full of SWEETS! Each week we will showcase the sweeter side of Cairns. If you have a sweet filled cairn and would like us to consider YOUR picture for an upcoming "Sunday Sweets" send it to us at cpcrnblog@gmail.com! (All photo submissions become the property of CPCRN and may be used for fundraising, promotion and/or outreach purposes.)

Gigi

Griffey (fka Drumstick)

Kerry

Landers

Abby & Gus