Portugal Dog Rescue – Foguete fighting for life forever

Latest news on Foguete from Ines Canavarro.

‘UPDATE 23/01/14: We know that it has been long since the last news, but apart from the big move our vet recommended that we carried on with the medication for both Esperança and Foguete, and wait for their own body to respond before doing something more drastic like operating on Esperança’s leg, or taking Foguete for a CT scan.

We were waiting for good news, and they are: Foguete hasn’t had an incontinence episode for 3 weeks now, and is very polite and shy when he needs the loo. He doesn’t stumble anymore, doesn’t have nystagmus anymore, has been managing to close his mouth and not drooling, and only has tiny tremors when nervous.

His head is still tilted and the vet thinks this may be permanent, but otherwise he behaves normally and has good energy and appetite. He has been going to vet appointments twice a week and takes daily injections.

Esperança (Estrela and Foguete’s daughter) has almost fully recovered from her leg injury, the x-ray showed no breaks so she has been on painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs and is already comfortable enough to go for long walks. She has a minor limp but is otherwise rather healthy. Both Esperança and her dad have been on a diet of recovery food that was so kindly donated to them, so they have been putting on weight steadily and look so much better now. Their coat is now shinny and they both had a bath. Esperança is even starting to be cheeky and is refusing the ‘normal’ dog food, she loves the tinned recovery diet.

Both dogs are still very wary, especially cause their old owner lives nearby and they can hear him shouting when he gets home drunk. They’re very fearful of him still, so hopefully they’ll be much more comfortable in the new shelter which is far away from the hell hole they lived in. They are also scared of contact, either people or objects, and most of the times refuse harnesses, leads or coats, so for now we won’t insist and will give them time to adjust. Soon they will be well enough to be vaccinated and neutered.

Thank you so much to everyone that helped both Foguete and Esperança to get better, they’re still not fully recovered, but definitely in the right track. Thank you very much to all the people in Foguete’s special event, who have so kindly sent these two dogs all the treats, food and donations to make them feel special.