Saving Alaska – Podenco Friends respond

This poor podenco was dumped in a perrera by the owner. Appeals were made on my facebook page Podenco Post to save ‘Grandpa Oldie’ by people outside of Spain. Although she has double the number of podencos she originally planned on having, all waiting for adoption – Bev Farmer of Podenco Friends stepped in to save Grandpa Oldie.

Grandpa Oldie turned out to be an 11-year old female called Alaska who had been taken to the perrera by her owner, along with an up-to-date vaccination record! Bev says, ‘she is not underweight and looks to be well cared for.’ However, as with all rescued dogs, Bev took Alaska to her vet for checking over, as she was not happy with swelling around her stomach and she also had a temperature.

(20/08) An ultrasound scan revealed she has a large pocket of infection inside her and fluid around her uterus and bladder, raised temperature and suspected Pyometra (infection of the womb). So she needs operating on to remove the womb and then they can see what the extent of the infection is inside. Her initial blood tests confirmed kidney and liver function is ok but a concern to us is her white blood cell count, which is very low and will need more tests to establish why. At the moment she has been given injections to help her pain and antibiotics she will remain at the clinic until she has had her surgery

(21/08) Alaska had her surgery this morning and had the onset of pyometra so we had caught it early. She had a couple of teeth removed and the rest cleaned for they really needed doing. Her blood analyses are back and she is negative for Leishmania, filaria and ehrlichia.

She’s very confused and I imagine she is wondering what has happened – 11 years old and suddenly her whole life has turned upside down. She will need to see the vets again as she shows some discomfort in the lower back but our priority has been to get her through her surgery. No idea why Alaska was handed into the perrera but we will care for her. ‘You have every right to enjoy the rest of your life, Alaska.

So our work begins to gain Alaska’s trust.’

The surgery and ongoing medical care will be expensive, if you can help towards these expenses, please donate Paypal to podencofriends@hotmail.co.uk.