Scout's Journey

February 22 2013

We wanted to share a journey we are on with a dog that was adopted on Friday, Feb. 15. Awareness of this situation could help others in the future, since this is a first for all of us.

Last Friday, Peace and Paws united 10-week-old Scout with his adoptive dad, Bill. Scout had been examined by a vet (including blood work) and declared in perfect health prior to adoption, as all Peace and Paws adoptive dogs are. The spunky one of the litter and the one always following his people, Scout’s behavior was never out of the ordinary. The night Bill brought Scout home, he had a seizure and was taken to the emergency clinic. Since there are so many variables with seizures, it was/is of unknown origin, and since all his tests came back negative and normal, he was sent home. Saturday afternoon Scout had another seizure and was taken back to the emergency clinic, but this time was given medications with a possible prognosis of a portosystemic shunt, something none of us had ever heard of. Juvenile epilepsy could also be a possibility, along with a myriad of other possibilities. Aside from the seizures, Scout acts like a perfectly happy and normal pup. All his other littermates are healthy and the parents of the pups are known and have had no history of seizures, either.

Bo and I have decided to bring Scout back into rescue so we can handle his continued medical care. Bringing Scout back into rescue does not mean that he will be sent back to a shelter, but it means we are going to take care of him in hopes of getting to the bottom of this. Bill will serve as a foster dad to Scout through the ordeal while Peace and Paws arranges and provides financially for Scout’s care. We could not have asked for a better dog dad than Bill for we know this is not easy for him either, but he is committed.

With more than 2,000 dogs successfully rescued, Peace and Paws has never had this happen, and Scout’s condition is one we’d never heard of before. We stand by the thorough process of properly screening the health of our rescue dogs prior to and during their transition to home life, and we are committed to Scout’s care and recovery.

We will keep you posted on Scout’s condition and treatment. Send your positive energy, thoughts and prayers to Scout and Bill. His journey has caused acquaintances to become friends and united rescues In New England and the South for the common goal of doing what is best for this little guy and his adoptive dad.

- Melissa

What is a portosystemic shunt?

The most common circulatory problem of the liver in both dogs and cats, portosystemic shunts are blockages between the liver and the rest of the body. The condition interferes with the animal’s metabolism and mimics the effects of liver failure. Portosystemic shunts can be present at birth but can also be the result of another disease later in life. The presence of a liver shunt in your pet may mean the blood flow to and through the liver is compromised. While Scout showed no symptoms, a puppy with a shunt will often show signs of the condition. Symptoms can include:

• Stupor

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Lethargy

• Seizures

• Failure to thrive

If your puppy exhibits these symptoms, consult your vet immediately or, if unavailable, take him to emergency vet care.

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