Cinder is a liver puppy being fostered in Southern California. He was given up when his new family found that he was a bit too active for their lifestyle.

I found out about Cinder's availability for adoption when Dulcie's breeder asked me to help him find a liver male puppy, and he wanted to find a dal in need of rescue. This pup was to be for his young son, who wanted a brown spotted dog.

On October 10, 1999, I put out the call for a liver male pup on the Dalmatian lists and within an hour, I had the info for Cinder. His foster mom was put in touch with Dulcie's breeder, and arrangements were begun to ask the necessary questions and begin the adoption appication process.

From his description:


Cinder's a wonderful pup with a great personality, not a bit timid and loves to sit on your lap !!! He would probably do very well in agility or obedience. He's a smart boy!!

While these arrangements were being made, Cinder became sick. On the 21st, I received an email stating that he had stopped eating and his gums were pale. Our worst fears were to be confirmed, as he had contracted the dreaded parvovirus. Cinder's foster mom works in a shelter, and is very careful to remove her clothing and shower before entering her house and greeting her dogs, but even these precautions do not always work. (At this time, there is an especially virulent form of parvo hitting the Southern California area, according to the information coming across dog lists.)

Cinder was taken to the vet as quickly as possible, and this is the news as we received it, on October 22:

Well, the worst has happened.... it's parvo. Even though he's had 2 sets of shots for parvo, the poor little guy caught it anyway. This is the main reason that I don't hang on to puppies here, I try to place them as quickly as I can, I just hung on to him a little too long. With me working at the shelter it's just too dangerous. I'm extremely cautious when I come back from the shelter but you can never be 100 % safe. I didn't have the heart to put him down yet, those little green eyes were begging me to help him so I took him to my vet but since his iso ward was full and it was late and the other hospital was already closed, he kept him there for awhile and gave him some antibiotics and I.V. fluid under the skin to keep him from dehydrating overnight, and sent us home with instructions....I have to keep trying to get pedilyte and rice cereal down him as much as I can.

I'm so heartbroken, I can't stand to lose animals this way. I've only had puppies come down with parvo 1 other time in the last 4 years or so I can be thankful for that, but it hurts so much to see them suffer. I'll probably just take him back tomorrow and end his suffering if he doesn't look to be improving any.. I don't want him to hurt. Sorry guys... I know you both wanted to meet him, you would have loved him, I know I do.

I was in contact with both parties by email and by phone and knew that if he were no better by Monday morning, he would be put down. We heard nothing all day that Monday and feared that he was gone, but good news arrived on Tuesday, the 26th.

From his foster Mom:

I just wanted to let you know the good news, Cinder is doing fine now and is ready to come home from the hospital !! since he was such a healthy little guy he knocked that ol parvo virus right out.Everyone said that he was a model patient there :-) He's right back to giving all of the vet techs kisses when they come in to check on him. I'm so happy !!! I knew he would make it, he was too sweet to be down for long !!

The news on Wednesday, the 27th of October was this:

Well, I picked up Cinder this morning, he was still a little lethargic at first, but by dinner time this evening he was back to his ornery little self ;-) I was so afraid of losing him, the vet didn't give him much of a chance.... BUT HA !!!!!!!! he sure showed them what a Dalmatian is made of :-) I'll take some new pictures of him tomorrow and send you one, he's a little skinnier now, but still just as cute !!

Cinder would have to regain a bit of strength before he was shipped up here to Washington state to join his boy and the rest of his new family.

Parvo is not an inexpensive disease to treat, and I offered to try to come up with ideas and ways to help pay for this most unexpected and huge bill. Debi is prepared for neuterings and spayings and routine vet care, but parvo is not something you can always plan for. Cinder was in the hospital for five and a half days, and the bill was for nearly $800, not including his aftercare costs.

I asked for some ideas from some dal loving friends, and did get some ideas...and some offered to help raise funds with bake sales. Some very dear and generous friends, who do not even know this rescuer, offered to help, and that help is so greatly appreciated!!

I was given rules of one dalmatian rescue by one person, stating that rescue should be run like a business, and that if one cannot afford vet costs, then one should not be in rescue. While some of those rules for rescue are helpful, there are those of us who do NOT look at all rescue as a "business", but a labor of love, and sometimes things happen that are beyond our control. As a Debi put it, "How can you look into the eyes of a helpless animal and say, 'sorry...I can't afford to save your life . It would take a tougher person than I am to be able to do that I think, especially if that animal loved you and depended on you.'"

Debi's vet gave her a two week extension, and she and her friends there have arranged to do a bake sale at a local Petco. Her friend's daughters will be helping with the selling of baked goods, and there is a bake sale planned for this weekend all the way in Virginia to help with Cinder's costs.

(This is getting harder to type, as I know what is coming.) More from Debi:

It's confusing, isn't it !!! you see Friday I noticed Cinder wasn't himself so I took him to my regular vet at Quartz Hill Clinic. They did the parvo test and it was positive so they put him on meds and gave him some fluid under the skin so his body would absorb it and keep him from dehydrating and I was told to give him pedilyte every hour. They kept him for a while with the I.V. but his iso ward was full so he couldn't keep him there permanently and it was late and the other hospitals were closed so I took him home that evening and was going to take him over to High Desert in the morning. Well Cinder was so weak that he wouldn't even swallow the pedilyte later on so I rushed him over to an emergency clinic. They hooked him up to an I.V. for awhile to hold him over till morning when I could get him admitted at High Desert and that's where he stayed thru Wednesday. So you can see that this poor little guy has been thru quite an ordeal !!!

We thought that Cinder was well on the road to recovery, but then more bad news came. On October 30, this past Saturday, I got the news that Cinder had some kind of circle on his side. From Debi, in her own words:

I don't know how to explain it.. it's round, about 2 inches across and it's like someone took a scalpel and cut a circle on him. It's okay in the middle, I mean it's not coming off of his body, but it's cut all the way around . and there's pus coming out. I'm hoping the vet can see him in the morning, he's already on pain meds so it doesn't seem to hurt him.

Now, the worst. I am posting pics of Cinder as he looks today. I am going to have to put the worst pictures on a separate page, as the two pics I was sent are horrible and very graphic. You must not look at this page unless you fully understand how horrible they are. I have seen some awful wounds in my life, and these pictures made me cry. The description that follows is also graphic, so if you do not have the stomach for reading this, please stop now.

From Debi...

Hi Lisa, I don't know where to start... I'm just so devastated. Poor Cinder's in bad shape. Remember I told you that the first day of his illness the vet gave him fluids under the skin to avoid dehydration. Well, it ate all of the flesh under the skin and just yesterday it ripped open on both sides exposing everything underneath. The skin on top is dead now so it'll be falling off in a week or two leaving nothing but raw flesh and muscle tissue exposed. Here are a few pictures of him. He's being such a trooper about all of this, he never complains. They have him on antibiotics and pain meds. They say that he has about a month of painful healing before he's better. After the dead top skin falls off, the exposed raw area is supposed to form scar tissue, but they're such large wounds ( at least 3 inches wide) I just can't imagine how that's going to heal with out some type of grafts or something. It's breaking my heart every time that I look at those eyes, it's like he's begging me to make it go away.

I will NEVER again allow a vet to put I.V. fluids under the skin like that. So now I'm on a search for a hospital that can do something to help him. Maybe some type of teaching facility.. I don't know.. I have to wash the wounds out 3-4 times a day and it's so hard because I just can't stop crying as I do it, it hurts him so much :-( If you want to do a page on him, go ahead..

I want to spread the word that this can happen to your dog and once it starts there's nothing you can do to stop it. So if your dog needs fluids, do it thru the veins, not under the skin... better safe then sorry. I'm told that it's very common for vets to do this, but they don't tell you the risks involved, especially if their immune sytem is compromised.. illness, stress, etc...which is probably why they're having it done in the first place. I just called some teaching hospitals and inquired about this and was told that it does happen more then you think. Well, it'll never happen to one of my dogs again. This poor dog has been thru hell, hasn't he? :-( First parvo, now this!! What else can happen to this poor little baby?

Debi asked that I tell Dulcie's breeder about Cinder, and that it would be a while before Cinder was healed up. She knows they will be disappointed, as she is. She said, "I thought that Cinder had a home waiting with a little boy to love on him all day. I don't know what to say."

I cannot believe what this poor pup has gone through. He had such a promising future, with a loving, Dalmatian knowledgeable family, and a boy to call his own for the rest of his life. He has dealt with and survived parvo, with the love of a wonderful foster mom. Now, this...this horrible affliction caused by the subcutaneous fluids that kept him alive. Debi is a dedicated mom, though, and I know she will do all she can to keep Cinder comfortable and help him recover from this latest of life's blows.

The pictures of these horrible wounds can be seen by clicking HERE, but again, I must warn you, they are very very graphic. Do NOT look at them unless you are prepared for them. They are not easy nor pleasant to look at.

This is one very special little Dalmatian. Cinder is going to need help. Debi wants people to know about this, as anytime a pup must be on fluids, something like this can happen. As she stated, she will never allow this nor take this kind of risk again. It is too painful for the puppy or dog, and too hard on that dog's people.

I feel no qualms about asking for prayers for Cinder, and to please be aware of this. Take extra precautions so your dogs do not get parvo, but if they happen to come down with it, discuss alternatives to hydrating by injecting fluids directly under the skin.

Debi has a smaller bill for Cinder at her first vet, but he was too full to keep Cinder there. (On Nov. 10, I got news that this bill has been paid in full, so this address is removed. In Dec., nearing Christmas, I got the news that Cinder's bills have been paid. Thank you to each of you who helped Debi to help this boy! Bless you all!)

Debi's address is:

Debi Gomez
P.O.Box 3434
Quartz Hill, CA 93586
Antelope Valley Dalmatian Rescue

UPDATE~~Nov. 2, 1999 From Debi:

Now, about my boy... his wounds looked worse this morning. There was a lot of pus coming out so I took him back to the vet. They flushed it out underneath the dead skin with antibiotics to get the infection under control and then they called me and told me that the tissue is starting to rot so they're going to do surgery on him in the morning to cut out all of the dead and decayed tissue and then try to stitch him up as much as they can to prevent any further damage. They'll put a drain tube inside and I'll have to flush it out a couple times a day. So he'll be in the hospital for a few more days. :-( I get to visit him tomorrow.. poor baby.

I told them to be sure that he gets plenty of pain meds, I don't want him hurting... but I know that has to hurt terribly. I'll let you know how he's doing tomorrow.

Cinder is now at the Quartz Hill Vet Clinic, and that bill will be growing as well. If you feel in your heart that you can help send a little bit, please do so. (This plea is from me, not from Debi.) Please say a prayer for Cinder. And, please, if you have a dog who needs fluids to save its life, PLEASE discuss the possibility of this happening before you agree to injecting fluids under the skin.

Nov. 3, 1999

Cinder is doing better, according to what Debi said. The vet called her and his tubes are draining quite a bit, but that is to be expected. They were able to close up the two large wounds, but had to cut out a lot of the decayed tissue. His incision now goes from one side of his body to the other across his back. It is not completely closed as there was not enough skin to stretch that far.

Debi was advised against seeing him today, as they thought it would be too hard on her to see him just after his surgery, as the swelling needs to come down a bit. The vet states that Cinder has a great attitude, and this is not slowing him down at all. He is getting a lot of attention from all there at the clinic, and he loves it!

This wonderful veterinarian is not going to charge Debi for this surgery or hospital stay!! He is donating that, bless his heart! She says he will only be charging a minimal amount, plus his aftercare. She can't wait to bring him home, and I think that all of us are looking forward to that! (The other, huge bill still remains.)

Nov. 5, 1999

Debi wrote this in response to some concerns as to how this could have happened:

I've been drilling my vets and some from a teaching hospital that I called and these are the results so far...

First of all, it was a new needle and it was done under sterile conditions. I was with him in the room while they were treating him. My vet is very good in that way. Now as far as the fluids that were used, they use LRS with 1 cc benzpen ( antibiotic ) added for dogs that are sick..parvo, distemper, ect... but the vets that have examined Cinder said that his wounds look to be caused from some sugar additive in the fluid, probably dextrose. If a fluid with dextrose is used subq on a dog with a low immune system it can cause any normal bacteria inside to go haywire and kill off the tissue at a rapid pace. Now, as to where the dextrose came from is the mystery. The LRS contains some sugar additive, but perhaps this particular bag had more then the allotted amount in it. But since the bag was thrown out long ago, they can't test it. They showed me the bags of fluid that they use at the hospital and the label doesn't mention dextrose so I can assume that they're telling me the truth.

I called the other hospitals and they confirmed what my vets told me. So anyway... I'm not trying to convince people not to allow a vet to use this method, although, since I've seen first hand the devastation that it can cause, I'm not willing to take that risk again, once the fluid entered his body, there was no turning back..all that damage happened in just days with no outward warning signs. and even though it doesn't happen that often, it CAN happen and to just be cautious when having any procedure done.. ask beforehand what the risks are, what the alternatives are and make sure that they check any meds that are given, and that they are given within a sterile environment.

Give the same concern to your pet's health care as you would your own medical care.
Debi

btw, Cinder is still in the hospital trying hard to fight this off, it looks like he won't be allowed to come home till next week :-(

Nov. 10 Update

Cinder is HOME!! He is still bandaged, and must go back to the vet on a daily basis, to flush his tubes. Debi has not seen under the bandages yet, but may have them take a pic for me to upload on the "more sensitive" pictures page. The top part of his back has been stitched up tight, and is already closing. The two side holes are still open, but the vet said they are granulizing very nicely. AND they feel the infection is gone! A few more weeks and he should be all healed.

Debi wants to be sure that all the good thoughts and prayers have really helped, and she is grateful for them. Thank you all!

Nov. 12, 1999

I just got a few new pics of Cinder tonight, so I'd better get them up so you all can see his progress. What a little trooper he is, too! For all he has been through, he still wants to run and play. (Not allowed yet, as we don't want his stitches to tear.) And he loves everyone, giving constant kisses to everyone he meets. This is going to be one very well socialized puppy!! Debi says he has not complained once, and even gives kisses while his wounds are tended to!

In the picture on the upper left, Cinder is expressing his displeasure at having to wear the cone, by scratching at it. But he sure looks chipper in the second picture, don't you think? I will post pics of his incision on the next page, and put them on top. They are not as bad as the earlier photos, and I hope to leave enough of a gap that you can see the first pictures without necessarily looking at the others.

I know that asking for help can be difficult, and sometimes impossible. I hope that Debi does get some help, and would encourage people to seek out independent rescuers in need...not everyone belongs to non-profit organizations, and many of the bigger organizations spend a LOT of money on brochures and on mailings...sending full color pamphlets on a regular basis, address labels and little "gifts", etc. While not discounting the need to help those organizations, there are smaller groups and individuals who need help just as badly if not more. Please keep them in mind. Donations are used in their entirety for the animals in their care, and NOT for any kind of "overhead". (And this particular plea for help for Cinder comes from ME, not from Debi. She is not at all comfortable with this.)]

Dec. 7, 1999

Debi emailed today regarding Cinder's progress. He had the last of his surgeries today! The scar tissue was removed, and the skin around the wounds was tidied up, and he was closed up nice and tight. The stitches should be out in eleven days, and he will be DONE!!!

Debi has not seen him yet, and Cinder is to be kept overnight to make sure he does not pull out his stitches. The report is that he is doing wonderfully! He will have one long scar across his back...but it should be narrow and flat enough that his hair should cover it up.

Debi states how draining this has been on both her and on Cinder, and how she still hopes this will never ever happen to another dog! Yet, for all this dog has gone through, with the pain, the incisions, the cone, the confinement in a small kennel for nearly two months now, for the cleaning and care of his wounds, this little guy has still wanted to do no more than kiss and love every he can touch with his eyes and his tongue!! He has NEVER complained or cried. Nothing comes from this little sweetheart but love and friendliness.

In two weeks, the process will renew to find Cinder his forever home. Debi feels that he deserves the best there is, and I have to agree with her. This special dal has had such trust and such faith in her, and in all of his caregivers at the vets. He is a very very special dog!!

These are the latest pictures of him. His ears stand up a bit, due to the cone that he has had to wear all this time. It pushed his ears up rather than allowing them to hang down. Look at the spark in his eyes and the happy grin on his face!

And we have a very special picture for all!! Cinder wishes everyone a very safe and Happy Holiday season!
(And may all good dogs find a forever home soon!)

Cinder's Horrible Pictures
Warning! Very graphic!

Jan. 10, 2000

Cinder is doing well. He no longer has the cone on his neck, and Debi reports that he prances around with his head held high, excitely sniffing the air and exploring this new world where he can see everything unobstructed! He is a very happy boy, sweet and loving and is in need of his very own family.

Debi also took in two little rescue pups, who were only 8 weeks old. Ross and Randi are fat and healthy dal pups, as you can see by these pictures. Randi got a home on Sunday, Jan. 9, with an older couple who had a dalmatian "grandchild". Now they have a dal "child" of their own and Randi is very happy with them.

And then there is Sonny. Sonny spent one night in a nearby shelter, before Debi could get him. He got sick, and the diagnosis, once again, was parvo. I had fallen in love with this boy, and noticed right away that he had some heart shaped spots on his right shoulder. Debi sent me the pics of these three boys and I showed them to my eleven year old son. I pointed out the heart spots and he remarked how I spot those every time, right away. (What can I say..it is a talent I have!)

Debi thought that she would have to call the vet the next day and tell him to put Sonny down as she could not afford yet another long and expensive treatment so soon after Cinder's treatment, and she could not bring herself to asking for help yet again. I told her that I understood, and that I would say a prayer. I did...I prayed for some miracle for this boy.

The next day, some of us who knew about Sonny got the wonderful news that he was hanging in there. He was in quarantine at a foster mom's, but was not throwing up and did not have any bloody diarrhea. He was even increasing his activity level a bit, so Debi decided that since he was fighting and was not going downhill, since God seemed to be pulling for his survival, that she would give him that chance to recover and find a forever home too. (I get tears in my eyes just typing this. I love this pup!)

The shelters near Debi have some severe problems with both parvo and distemper. She and others are attending meetings to try to get some improvements, but so far there is no success. I hope that if anyone reads this who is in her area (High Desert area of California) that they can offer to help Debi and others who are pushing for some changes that will benefit and save the lives of many dogs.

Back to Dulcie's Page.







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©2000 by Lisa A. Messmer.