8/30/07
Please meet the newest resident hounds at the Bassets RUS ranch. Hope (pictured on the right) was rescued from a Missouri puppy mill and is completely blind.
After Hope was rescued Kim wrote:
"We have named her Hope. Because that is all we have. She is totally blind and very, very mellow. She had a bath last nite, her nails clipped, her ears cleaned, ate her dinner all gone, found the biscuits despite no eyesight. She is in our quarantine area for 10 days as standard operating procedure. She will see our wonderful vets this week. We hope that someday we will not have to rescue bassets (or any other breed) from puppy mills. Seeing these dogs should be enough for every one to contact their state senators and congressmen and governors and ask them WHY this is happening to companion animals. I have been involved in numerous puppy mill rescues and these have to be some of the worst. We will continue to pray for the others we met yesterday as they will need much rehabilitation and we hope that will be available to them."
A few days after Hope was rescued Kim went back to the same puppy mill to get Melvin (pictured above on the left). Initially it was thought that Melvin was crippled. Fortunately he has full mobility but is just a little unsteady on his feet. Both hounds have had full vet workups and have been diagnosed with Ehrlichiosis. Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial disease transmitted by ticks which can cause a multitude of symptoms including stiffness and reluctance to walk. Let's hope that the Ehrlichiosis is the reason Melvin has trouble getting around. Hope and Melvin are taking antibiotics to treat this disease. The cause of Hope's blindness is not known. Luckily her intra-ocular eye pressure is normal and she is not in pain. At some point Hope will probably have to have both eyes removed. Additionally, the vet is concerned about some of the abnormal blood work results and we are waiting to see if they need additional tests. Once they are given a clean bill of health we hope that they can be altered and live a happy life at the ranch.
If you would like to may a donation to help defray Hope and Melvin's medical bills please visit www.mabr.org/contact.htm. Click here to see additional pictures of Hope and Melvin.
Resident Hound Hope
Resident Hound Melvin
Look at ME! I'm RUNNING!!! I guess that medicines working! AROOOOOO!!!
