Dangerous Toy Update

Chai’s owner tells me that he is recovery well, BUT we still have to make sure that we get this dangerous toy off the shelves and notify dog owners about the dangers of this ball.

Four Paws has FINALLY put a notice on their site (although you actually have to click a link to get to it), and has apparently sent out notices to its vendors (see a copy of this notice below), but we still find the ball for sale on the Internet and people are reporting seeing it sold in pet stores.
It is imperative that we make sure vendors no longer sell this ball, and that every dog owner around the world (it is sold all over the world) is notified of its dangers.

Please feel free to use the notice below to draft your own letter to vendors, or simply cut and paste it and send it to them and to all of your friends. If you do write your own letters, please be sure to leave the contact e-mail address in the letter, as we will be forwarding information about other dog owners that have experienced issues with this ball to Chai’s owner, who has retained a lawyer in this case.

To find a print-ready flyer to print out and post, go here.

Thank you for helping make it a safer world for our dogs, and to keep others from the pain, heart ache and suffering of becoming a gimpydog.

Start of notice letter:

To Whom It May Concern:

We are writing to you in regard to the Four Paws® Rough & Rugged® Pimple Ball with Bell that is listed on your Store site.

We assume that you have not been notified that the Four Paws company has asked all vendors to remove these toys from your shelves and stock, and return them to your distributor. These toys are dangerous and have caused death and serious injury to dogs.

We, as concerned dog owners, ask that you remove the toys listed in the notification below so that more dogs are not put at risk.

If any of your customers have had dogs that have experienced an injury with this ball, we ask that they contact: gimpydogscom@gmail.com so we can forward their information to a lawyer who is looking into this matter.

For more information, please go to: http://gimpydogblog.blogspot.com/2008/08/dangerous-toy-alert.html

For a complete list of recalled toys, go to: http://www.fourpaws.com/news/press-room/four-paws-rough-rugged-pimple-ball-with-bell.htm
Regards
gimpydogs.com

Below is a copy of the notification that Four Paws has sent out to its vendors.



August 26, 2008
RE: Four Paws® Rough & Rugged® Pimple Ball with Bell

Dear Valued Retailer: 

As you may know by now, there have been reports of injuries to dogs as a result of a manufacturing defect in some Four Paws Pimple Ball with Bell toys. We are deeply concerned about these reports, and we have immediately stopped shipping the toys until the defect can be corrected. If you still have any of these toys in stock, we urge you to remove them from your shelves immediately and return them to your distributor. The following products are affected: Item Number Item Description 


UPC 20220 


Four Paws® Rough n Rugged® Pimple Ball with Bell -- Small 
0 45663 20220 0

20225 


Four Paws® Rough n Rugged® Pimple Ball with Bell -- Medium 
0 45663 20225 5

20227 


Four Paws® Rough n Rugged® Pimple Ball with Bell -- Large 
0 45663 20227 9

Meanwhile, we have halted shipments of these toys from the manufacturer and I will be personally inspecting the manufacturer's facility in order to make sure that the defect has been corrected and will not occur again. It is important to note that this is a manufacturing defect in some of the toys and not a problem with the toy's design. We are also changing the packaging of the Pimple Balls to make it easier for us to inspect them for potential defects, and we are individually inspecting every one of the toys in our inventory in order to identify any that may be defective. 

We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you or your customers, and we thank you for your cooperation in removing the defective toys from your shelves. 

Please feel free to call me at 1-800-835-0909 if you have any questions or concerns. 

Sincerely, Barry Askin Executive Vice President 


This email was sent by: Four Paws Products 


50 Wireless Blvd. 

Hauppauge, NY 11788 



We respect your right to privacy - view our policy 
Preference Center | Unsubscribe 



Carla J. Onofrio

end of e-mail notification

Update on new parvo strain

As last reported here and as I suspected, the e-mail that is being forwarded all over the internet about a new strain of deadly parvo that ONLY a Schering-Plough vaccine will prevent did NOT originate from Dr. Wendy Swift of the Humane Society of Kent County (Michigan).

On 22 August the shelter DID release a new statement regarding a parvo outbreak, and the actions they took to get it under control, which did include shutting down the facility to ensure it did not spread and that no additional animals were infected. We applaud this shelter for its quick actions, and preventing the spread of this disease through its actions.

Below is the official press release regarding the outbreak and the shelter's actions that was send to me by Dr. Swift. Below that is the fake e-mail notification that is spreading like wild fire on the internet and causing unnecessary panic throughout the dog owner community. If you receive the fake release, please respond to the recipient and all persons copied on that e-mail and notify them that this e-mail is fraudulent. Please refer them to this site so that they are aware of the scam being perpetuated by cruel people.

Start of official news release by Kent County:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 22, 2008

CONTACT: Mark Petz, Development and Marketing Director (616) 791-8088 or (231) 519-1464
Dr. Wendy Swift, Veterinary Medical Director (616) 791-8218


HIGHLY VIRULENT OR NEW STRAIN OF PARVO IN KENT COUNTY

(Grand Rapids, Mich – August 22, 2008) --- A highly virulent or new strain of Parvo (Parvo2c) has been suspected as the cause of death for at least three adult canines in Kent County, according to officials at the Humane Society of Kent County.

“The number of local Parvo cases is disturbingly high,” says Dr. Wendy Swift, Veterinary Medical Director at the Humane Society of Kent County. “The virus is spread through fecal contamination, and it has been extremely fatal in puppies as well as in both vaccinated and unvaccinated adult dogs.”

The Humane Society of Kent County is currently taking precautionary measures including a deep clean of the shelter, vaccinating all dogs/puppies appropriately upon intake and performing diagnostic tests with a veterinary pharmaceutical company.

Symptoms for Parvo may include lethargy, bloody vomit and diarrhea. The Humane Society of Kent County is encouraging pet owners to contact their veterinarians to see if their dog’s previous vaccinations provide protection against this current outbreak of Parvo. If you suspect your dog has contracted the Parvo virus, contact your veterinarian immediately and keep your dog confined, away from other dogs.

To ensure the health and safety of the animals in the shelter the Humane Society of Kent County will remain closed Friday, August 22. The shelter will re-open to the public on Saturday, August 23 from 11 am to 4 pm for adoptions only.

Animal admitting will re-open on Monday, August 25 for normal hours – 12:00 pm to 4 pm. However, all animal admitting will be by appointment only for the week of August 25 through August 31 for precautionary measures. To make an appointment individuals are asked to call the Humane Society of Kent County at (616) 453-8900 ext. 217.

Founded in 1883, the Humane Society of Kent County is a nonprofit organization, dedicated to the welfare of animals in West Michigan. In addition to providing care for thousands of animals each year, the Humane Society offers education and veterinary care programs that promote responsible pet care, prevent overpopulation and further compassion toward animals. For more information call (616) 453-8900, visit the Humane Society at 3077 Wilson NW, Grand Rapids, or visit www.hskc.org

End of official press release

Start of fake e-mail:

To: Local Veterinarians, Groomers, Boarding Facilities, Rescue
Groups , and Shelters
From: Wendy Swift DVM, Veterinary Medical Director of the HSKC
Date: August 20, 2008
Re: Please Read!!!!!! New Parvo Strain Hits West Michigan

Parvo 2c has been suspected as the cause of death for at least three
adult canines in Kent County and surrounding areas. Two of the three
dogs had a known previous vaccine history and tested positive on the
Idexx Snap Parvo Test. The most current information on Parvo 2c from
the vaccine/shelter medicine specialists around the country is as
follows:
Disease: Parvo 2c is a highly virulent strain of the parvo virus that
is extremely fatal in puppies and adult dogs. This strain of parvo
attacks the circulatory organs approximately 24 hours before
attacking the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, by the time a dog is
presented for lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea it is generally too
late.
Diagnosis: Parvo 2c is detectable on the Idexx Snap Test, but it has
been showing as a weak positive on many tests. Viral isolation is the
best way to confirm the diagnosis, but it is not going to assist with
diagnosis upon presentation.
Treatment: Conservative treatment with supportive care has been
rarely successful. Plasma transfusions from recovered dogs have shown
to yield the best treatment success at around 64% survival rate.
Prevention: Schering-Plough (SP) and Intervet vaccinations have been
proven to be 100% effective in preventing this strain of parvo. If
you have any questions in regards to SP vaccinations please call 1-
800-224-5318 (SP technical support). Fort Dodge vaccines were
effective in less than 90% of the tested dogs/puppies, Pfizer was
less than 70% effective in preventing disease, and Merial was less
than 50% effective. This data was obtained from an independent
source, and at this time the only published data is an article from
Schering-Plough (S/P).
Cleaning Protocols: There are only two products that kill this virus
with a ten minute contact time. Trifectant and bleach (1/2 cup/gallon
dilution) will successfully kill Parvo 2c. All other products that
claim to kill parvo are not effective per Dr. Hall (Vaccination/
Shelter Specialist at SP) !!!!!!
Prognosis: The prognosis is extremely poor. Most puppies or dogs die
acutely from the cardiac components of the disease process. If GI
signs are present, the disease has progressed and is most likely
fatal.
Please feel free to call me with any questions (616) 791-8218. Over
seven veterinary clinics have seen this type of disease locally. The
citizens of Kent County need to be aware of the risk associated with
this disease. Please inform your clients and protect the canines in
your area.

New Parvo Strain? Not so fast

A lot of you may have received an e-mail from a Wendy Swift, DVM of a Kent County Michigan shelter (the full e-mail is at the bottom of this post). I know I have, because everyone I know has forwarded it to me and are freaking out about it.

Please stop freaking out.

E-mails such as this are the VERY REASON I started gimpydogs. The internet is a wonderful tool, but it can also be used for evil, and frankly I consider e-mails such as the one below, very evil because it preys on our love for our animals and our need to provide them with the best protection and care that we can afford and find.

I would like to point out what is suspicious about this e-mail:

1.) 2c is not a new strain, it has been around for quite some time. A similar hoax e-mail was sent a while back, and here is an article about that hoax.

2.) You’ll typically receive this from a person who received it from another person, who received it, etc., etc., but you will never get it straight from Wendy Swift DVM.

3.) You may google some aspects of this e-mail and find the EXACT same, word for word e-mail listed on mail lists, even “news” blogs.

4.) Wendy Swift DVM is an actual vet, at an actual shelter, actually from Kent County Michigan. If you go to her clinic Web site... there is absolutely nothing on there about this “new strain”. Why? Because Dr. Swift most likely didn’t send the e-mail. Someone found her name and used her credentials and clinic to make it appear valid. Dr. Swift is most likely going to be flooded with e-mails and phone calls soon (one of which is mine, asking for validation), her shelter will put a notice on their Web site soon saying its not true, and the e-mail will then get modified by someone to use another vet’s name and contact information. That’s how these viral e-mails work.

5.) There is NO 100% vaccine. I’m a bit suspicious that a Schering-Plough ad person didn’t think this up the way they tout the company. I like the nice twist about how the vaccine data was obtained from an independent source (so you can’t ask them), and the only published data is an article from Schering-Plough (how convenient and totally unbiased).

6.) I’m sorry to say that parvo (regardless of the strain) is a horrible disease. It will kill vaccinated dogs as well as unvaccinated dogs IF the vaccinated dog has a suppressed immune system, is old, or is young. Dobermans and Rotties are far more susceptible to it (regardless of the strain) and the death rate is very high once a dog gets it because there is no cure, just supportive therapy and hope.

7.) The chances of your dog getting parvo is very SMALL. Shelters get if more frequent because they have a large population of animals in close quarters. Sanitation is hard to maintain even in the best of shelters. Dogs come in unvaccinated and some are sick, malnourished, etc.

I’ll post Dr. Swift’s response if/when I receive one. In the meantime, there is no need to call your vet, or get another parvo booster for your dog. I will post updates as I get them, which will most likely be me saying “yep, its a hoax”


To: Local Veterinarians, Groomers, Boarding Facilities, Rescue
Groups , and Shelters
From: Wendy Swift DVM, Veterinary Medical Director of the HSKC
Date: August 20, 2008
Re: Please Read!!!!!! New Parvo Strain Hits West Michigan

Parvo 2c has been suspected as the cause of death for at least three
adult canines in Kent County and surrounding areas. Two of the three
dogs had a known previous vaccine history and tested positive on the
Idexx Snap Parvo Test. The most current information on Parvo 2c from
the vaccine/shelter medicine specialists around the country is as
follows:
Disease: Parvo 2c is a highly virulent strain of the parvo virus that
is extremely fatal in puppies and adult dogs. This strain of parvo
attacks the circulatory organs approximately 24 hours before
attacking the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, by the time a dog is
presented for lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea it is generally too
late.
Diagnosis: Parvo 2c is detectable on the Idexx Snap Test, but it has
been showing as a weak positive on many tests. Viral isolation is the
best way to confirm the diagnosis, but it is not going to assist with
diagnosis upon presentation.
Treatment: Conservative treatment with supportive care has been
rarely successful. Plasma transfusions from recovered dogs have shown
to yield the best treatment success at around 64% survival rate.
Prevention: Schering-Plough (SP) and Intervet vaccinations have been
proven to be 100% effective in preventing this strain of parvo. If
you have any questions in regards to SP vaccinations please call 1-
800-224-5318 (SP technical support). Fort Dodge vaccines were
effective in less than 90% of the tested dogs/puppies, Pfizer was
less than 70% effective in preventing disease, and Merial was less
than 50% effective. This data was obtained from an independent
source, and at this time the only published data is an article from
Schering-Plough (S/P).
Cleaning Protocols: There are only two products that kill this virus
with a ten minute contact time. Trifectant and bleach (1/2 cup/gallon
dilution) will successfully kill Parvo 2c. All other products that
claim to kill parvo are not effective per Dr. Hall (Vaccination/
Shelter Specialist at SP) !!!!!!
Prognosis: The prognosis is extremely poor. Most puppies or dogs die
acutely from the cardiac components of the disease process. If GI
signs are present, the disease has progressed and is most likely
fatal.
Please feel free to call me with any questions (616) 791-8218. Over
seven veterinary clinics have seen this type of disease locally. The
citizens of Kent County need to be aware of the risk associated with
this disease. Please inform your clients and protect the canines in
your area.

Dangerous Toy Alert UPDATE 22 August 2008

According to Chai's owner, the company knew about this product defect in 2005 when they were notified by another owner that their dog DIED after getting its tongue trapped in the toy. At that time the company vowed to recall and retool the toy, but it continues to kill and maim to this day.

Additionally, we have learned that pet store owners have NOT been contacted by Four Paws to remove the toy from their shelves.

Gimpydogs is now calling for a boycott of all Four Paws Inc. products and asks everyone to print out the "dangerous toy notice" and take it to every pet store to post. Call the company (631-434-1100) and complain, e-mail the company through their Web site: www.fourpaws.com and complain.

Let's work together and get this toy off the shelf and make the company do what is right for the dogs and families that have suffered!


Please post this link to everyone you know that may be affected by this dangerous toy alert!

Please look through all of your dog toys and make sure that your dogs do NOT have access to a toy called the Pimple Ball with Bell (Item #20227-001, UPC Code 0 4566320227 9) manufactured by Four Paws Inc. (see picture)

This toy has been responsible for seriously injuring at least two dogs, one dog had to have its tongue amputated. Click here to read about Chai's ordeal after his tongue became stuck inside the ball, and the subsequent amputation of his tongue (please note, there are graphic pictures of the damage caused by this ball)

The design of the ball creates a vacuum while the dog is chewing on the ball and the tongue becomes stuck inside the ball causing constriction and swelling. Chai is not the only dog that has been injured while playing with this ball.

Concerned dog owners have contacted the manufacturer of this toy. The company stands by the toy, but has claimed that they are voluntarily recalling the toy to retool it so that it is safe. They claim to have contacted their distributors and told them to return their stock of this toy until the retooled toy can replace it.

We are unsure as to when this voluntary recall was enacted, but we've done a google search (as of 20 August 2008 at 7 p.m.) and have found up to 22 stores that are still carrying this product.

Please crosspost to every dog owner that you know and warn them of this toy. If you see this toy in a pet store, please notify the manager that this toy is considered dangerous and that the manufacturer claims to have voluntarily recalled the toy. Have the manager contact the manufacturer directly and encourage them to remove it from the shelves.

If you see someone on the Internet that is still selling this toy, please feel free to e-mail them with the following:

The Four Paws Pimple Ball with Bell (Item #20227-001, UPC Code 0 4566320227 9) listed on your site has severely injured several dogs. Allen Simon, the President and CEO of Four Paws Inc. has responded to e-mail inquiries and has assured his customers that it is voluntarily recalling this toy and says it has notified its vendors of this recall. We would not like to hear of other dogs being injured by this toy, so please remove this toy from your inventory, and if possible, notify your customers that this toy can be dangerous to their pet. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Haley Birk or Mr. Simon directly from their Web site: http://www.fourpaws.com/ or calling their number at: (631) 434-1100.

Sincerely,

Thyroid Issues

From poor coats, aggressiveness, seizures, to heart issues, the thyroid can be the cause of a lot of symptoms. If your dog has been diagnosed with a thyroid condition, see the resources below to help you treat and live with thyroid issues in your gimpy.

Canis Major resource

Thyroid Info resource

Thyroid information from Dr. Dodds

Hypothyroidsim

OFA Thyroid resource

MARVISTAVET Resource

Arthritis

Below are some great articles about arthritis in dogs, and also resources to help manage the pain and support groups.

Canis Major Resource on arthritis

ASPCA Resource

Arthritis Foundation

Support Group

Alternative k9 nutrition group

Dillon needs your donations to live

This message is posted on behalf of St. Seton's Orphaned Animals. Please contact them with any questions and donations:

******PLEASE CROSS POST WIDELY******

Dillon is a darling, 7 year old, Pomeranian rescued from an elderly man who lost his home. His only care was finding Dillon a safe place first before caring for himself. He had very little money. It was obvious that he loved Dillon but could not provide for him.

Dillon needs surgery very soon. He has a large stone in his kidney and stones in his urethra (the tube in his penis). If those stones turn, it will block and he will die. We don't have much time.

Please help us save Dillon. We need donations NOW PLEASE!!! We are a 501(c)(3) and donations are tax deductible. The surgery is $1,285. We have a copy of the estimate and the doctor's letter.

If you want a copy, I can scan/email it to you. Donations may be made securely on either one of our websites via PayPal: at: www.saintseton.com
www.petfinder.org/shelters/VA152.html

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!

Jeanette Allard
St. Seton's Orphaned
Animals
(703) 209- 4555

Reverse Sneezing

My dog was making this horrible noise and I was sure she/he was choking or dying!
I think my dog is having a seizure because he/she was making this horrible noise and couldn't seem to breathe right!

If there is one sure fire freak out time, its when your dog is making horrible noises and can't seem to breathe. Maybe they are even pawing at their nose or mouth. I get people asking me all the time what a reverse sneeze is and what it sounds like. Frankly, its virtually impossible to describe it by writing about it, unless you describe it as sounding like someone trying to hack up a big loogie, but there are variations of the reverse sneeze that words simply can't describe.

To answer your next question: should I rub their nose, hold their nose shut, stick my hand down their throat, rub their neck, rub their throat, etc. to make it go away? Eh, I don't know if any of that actually helps, but hey, whatever makes you feel better (except the sticking your hand down their throat thing).

Thankfully, dog owners have captured their dogs in mid reverse sneeze, so I bring you... the concert of reverse sneezing. You may want to pass on the popcorn for this one:

A pug reverse sneezing

Boston Terrier reverse sneezing

A golden reverse sneezing

Not to be confused with a dog with kennel cough

Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that can show itself from a simple skin rash to a possible fatal systemic disease. Just because your dog has a rash doesn’t mean that it has lupus! If your dog has a rash, please consult your vet for testing. Rashes can also be more benign things such as food allergies, ringworm, or mites. For more information on lupus, please consult the links below.

Discoid Lupus picture

Discoid Lupus explanation

Lupus Erythematosus

Very good article on the different types of lupus

Zinc-Responsive Dermatosis (ZRD)

Does your dog have crusty lesions around its mucus membranes (eyes, muzzle, foot pads, private area? Is your dog an: Alaskan malamute, American Eskimo dog, Samoyed, and Siberian husky, Doberman Pinscher, or Great Dane?

Its possible that your dog is suffering from Zinc-Responsive Dermatosis.

If you suspect that your dog has ZRD, please consult your vet for the proper treatment.

To find out more information, please visit these links:

Basic information on the disease

DVM360 article with pictures

Siberian Husky Health Foundation article

Dolce needs your help

Dolce got out of his yard and was hit by a car. Unfortunately, he suffered a fractured pelvis and one of his legs popped out of the socket. His owner took him to the vet immediately, but was unable to afford the cost of the surgery that would fix poor broken Dolce.

The vet clinic fell in love with this stoic little fella and reached out to the community to see if there was a rescue that could take him in, pay for his expensive surgery (approximately $2,000 not including follow up appointments or if there were complications), and then nurse him back to health.

All of the other local rescues were full and dealing with their own gimpies, and luckily Harnessed to Hope Northern Breed Rescue had a space available and enough money to help this little guy get another chance at life. He's only 9 months old and doesn't deserve what has happened to him, but with the assistance of SoS and other gracious and caring people, Dolce got his surgery and neutered and will be coming to Pennsylvania to recover before he's able to find his fur-ever home.

More funds are needed to help replenish the cost of his surgery and ensure HTH has the money it needs to help others like him. Won't you please donate even a little, so that Dolce and those that need care after he heals can find their fur-ever homes and find love once again.

Inducing vomiting in dogs

A lot of people ask, usually during a crisis, how to make their dogs throw up something they have eaten.

Before providing links to resources, I want everyone to be aware of some simple steps you need to take BEFORE you need to induce vomiting in your dog.

1.) Always keep your vet’s phone number handy. NEVER induce vomiting unless a vet tells you to do so.

2.) If your vet is closed, make sure you keep the number to your closest emergency vet handy. You should also know how close the emergency vet is, how long it will take to drive there, and that you know how to get there.

3.) Keep the Pet Poison Control number handy: (888) 426-4435 (Please note that you will most likely be charged a $60 consultation fee on a credit card if you call this number).

If you pet has ingested something that requires you to induce vomiting, your pet will most likely require immediate follow up care. Just because your pet threw up the substance or object, some of that substance may have entered the blood stream and you will need to ensure that proper follow up care is sought immediately.

You should never try to induce vomiting if your dog is unconscious, having difficulty breathing, choking, can’t stand, has ingested a caustic (like draino, bleach, etc.), or has ingested something more than 2 hours ago.

If you dog has ingested a large toy or soft toy, you should not induce vomiting as this may cause a blockage coming back up and your dog could suffocate. Get your dog to a vet so they can induce vomiting (if appropriate) where they have the tools to handle a blockage.

If you dog has ingested something sharp, do NOT induce vomiting. The force of the dog vomiting will cause that sharp object to pierce the esophagus on the way back up and will cause even more damage, if not death.

4.) Always have hydrogen peroxide on hand. The basic 3% solution found at most drug stores will work. Please note that hydrogen peroxide loses its effectiveness over time or when exposed to bright sunlight, so remember to throw out old bottles and buy new bottles periodically.

5.) Ask your vet for a syringe or purchase a liquid medicine dropper or syringe-like instrument for administering the peroxide. They just won’t voluntarily drink it, you’ll need to squirt it in their mouth (click here to see how to administer liquids with a syringe)

When you call your vet, you will need to tell them the following:

1.) size of your dog
2.) what they ingested
3.) how long ago it was ingested
4.) How much of it was ingested (if medicine, what is the dosage, how many pills, etc.)

Remember, have the proper tools on hand to induce vomiting
ONLY induce on the approval of your vet
Take your dog in immediately for follow up care

The following are links that describe how to induce vomiting. They should NOT be used instead of the direction of your vet, but are only to familiarize you with how to induce vomiting should your vet tell you to do so.

Suite 101 article (excellent article)

Dog First Aid 101 link

Pet Place link

Cystitis

Cystitis in Dogs

Canine Urolithiasis

Bladder

BLADDER STONE RESOURCES:

Everything you wanted to know about dog bladders, stones, and obstructions

More Bladder Stone resources

Bladder Stones

Bladder Stones

Bladder Stones

Bladder Stones

Bladder Stones

Bladder Stones

Support Groups

Urolithiasis Group

Triumph needs a helping paw, or two

Some of you may know the story of Triumph, the Siberian Husky found in Turkey with her rear legs cut off. An international volunteer effort brought Triumph to Tennessee, where she was fitted with temporary prosthetic back legs, and then underwent ground breaking surgery to have permanent prosthetics implanted.

Throughout her ordeal, Triumph has endured a lot of pain and therapy, but manages to be a smiling ambassador to the breed by visiting the local hospitals to cheer up the patients. She has been spotlighted on television, newspapers, and in 2005 she received the Heroic Pet of the Year award from the Nashville Humane Society.

Triumph has been able to shine thanks to the care and sacrifices that her friend Moe has made for her care and giving her the chance to lead a normal life with legs.

Unfortunately, Triumph has developed an infection in her prosthetics. While initial fears were that it was methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) tests have shown that it is two strains of infection. Good news, and bad news, as these strains can be just as devastating, and without expensive IV antibiotics, the prosthetics will have to be removed and her life may be threatened if the infection has reached the bone.

Moe is working with specialists to ensure she gets the best, most effective treatment available, but this comes at a hefty price. Moe hasn’t asked for help, but her friends know she and Triumph need it. A fund has been established that is overseen by Triumph’s vet staff to ensure that all funds needed for her care are applied only to her care. All donations are NOT tax deductible. Moe would like to start a non-profit agency to help others like Triumph in the future, but is spending all of her time and energy at the moment caring for her gimpy angel.

Please donate to help Triumph win another battle. By clicking here you will be taken to Triumph’s Web site where there are instructions on how to donate on-line, donate straight to her fund, or donate straight to the vet clinic where she is receiving treatments. Moe updates the web site almost daily so you can track Triumph’s progress against this nasty infection that threatens her legs and life. Please direct any questions you may have regarding donations to gimpydogscom@gmail.com and all e-mail regarding Triumph to Moe via Triumph’s Web site. Do not send funds to any other address than what is listed on Triumph’s Web site, and all updates will be posted on Triumph’s Web site.

Thank you for helping this special gimpy pup, who has given so much and asked for so very little in return.