On Tuesday, March 31, an approved rescuer made multiple offers via email to the Greenville Co pound in SC to take dog ID #25277456. This was the response she received from the pound:
On Wed, Apr 1, 2015 at 9:15 AM, petrescue <petrescue@greenvillecounty.org> wrote:
Not available for rescue or adoption.
she had a medical evaluation yesterday and her prognosis is not good.
The vet wrote NO RESCUE NO ADOPTS on her card.
This is the same dog you e-mailed about.PetRescue
328 Furman Hall Road
Greenville, SC 29609
864.467.3983 (office)
864.467.3294 (fax)
http://www.greenvillecounty.org/acs
The rescuer responded:
Sent: Wednesday, April 01, 2015 9:32 AM
To: petrescue
Subject: Re: Another Schnauzer AHHHH, lolWhat is wrong with her? We will treat whatever needs to be treated? What age is she? I will take her no matter what.
Greenville Co pound’s reply:
From: petrescue <petrescue@greenvillecounty.org> Date: Wed, Apr 1, 2015 at 9:34 AM
Subject: RE: Another Schnauzer AHHHH, lolShe cannot be rescued, per the vet.
PetRescue
328 Furman Hall Road
Greenville, SC 29609
864.467.3983 (office)
864.467.3294 (fax)
http://www.greenvillecounty.org/acs
petrescue@greenvillecounty.org
The rescuer did not give up and wrote to the pound again:
Sent: Wednesday, April 01, 2015 10:49 AM
To: petrescue
Subject: 25277456 URGENT!I need to know what is wrong with this dog and if she needs medical care right away?
If the vet thinks she is bad off healthwise I want to get 2nd opinion from my vet. If it is the dog being scared issue, I will take her even if she is biting, we have that form for me to sign. Please do not let this dog be put to sleep without me knowing it, let me know what is going on. I am just worried about her that is all. I am ready and willing to help, I am not trying to cause a stir, I just want to help.
She received a response from the pound’s vet:
On Wed, Apr 1, 2015 at 11:07 AM, petrescue <petrescue@greenvillecounty.org> wrote:
This dog has severe back issues. There are several collapsed disc spaces in the lumbar region and possibly in the thoracic region as well. There may be some calcified disc material in L3-L4 space. There is bridging spondylosis along a good portion of the spine as well as a likely fracture at the base of the tail causing chronic changes in that region. She has significant pain in her lumbar spine and is unable to walk normally. She has been started on pain management and steroids to try and reduce the inflammation in her spine. She is currently still on her stray hold and she is not available for adoption or rescue at this time. If after her stray hold her prognosis improves on the medication she may be available to an approved rescue.
Assuming she responds to her medication she will need to remain on strict cage rest and steroids for a minimum of 3 weeks. She is likely going to need pain management for the remainder of her life. There is a good chance that, if a disc hasn’t ruptured already, it will soon if she is allowed to run, jump, use stairs, climb, or have any excessive exercise. If she does not improve on her medication she would need a myelogram to determine the exact nature of her spinal disease and develop a treatment plan. Considering the extent of her spinal disease, though, she is unlikely to be a good candidate for surgery. For this reason, if her pain cannot be controlled medically, euthanasia would be her best option.
She will be reevaluated at the end of her stray hold to see if it looks like she could have a good quality of life on pain medication alone or if she will need more extensive diagnostics and care.
Dr. Teri Worl
Shelter Veterinarian
Greenville County Animal Care Services
328 Furman Hall Rd
Greenville, SC 29609PetRescue
328 Furman Hall Road
Greenville, SC 29609
864.467.3983 (office)
864.467.3294 (fax)
http://www.greenvillecounty.org/acs
petrescue@greenvillecounty.org
The rescuer again pleaded to be allowed to help the dog:
Date: Wed, Apr 1, 2015 at 11:23 AM
Subject: Re: 25277456 URGENT!
To: petrescue <petrescue@greenvillecounty.org>, tworl@greenvillecounty.orgI am willing to help this dog. If euthanasia is her best option than no offense, I would rather be by her side with my vet than her to pass at the shelter. After her stray hold just please let me know we are willing and ready to help this dog. I think no matter the injury, temperament, or health of a dog, if you have someone that is willing to try and not give up the dog you should give them that chance. In my opinion NO ADOPT OR NO RESCUE should never be a option for any animal unless it is actually laying there passing away and you have no other choice. I am going to take this up with Paula Gucker on changing that policy. […] this dog needs someone to fight for her not give up on her!
Someone willing to fight for the dog instead of giving up on her. Yeah, if only there was some kind of place like that. A safe haven for lost and homeless animals where they could be sheltered and protected from harm. Someone should invent that.
(Thank you to the shelter pet advocates who are trying to help this dog. Please let us know if there are any developments.)