Blossom is in Georgia.

Hi folks! Yup, you read that right; it’s me Blossom on the page of pugs available for adoption!! I am so sorry we haven’t updated my status sooner, but you can blame my foster mom for that. She said something about trying to get me figured out. Yeah right, like that will ever happen! (For those of you who don’t know my full story you can read it here)

SEPRA did take me to Georgia Veterinary Specialists for allergy testing and it seems I am allergic to many things with the worst things being dust and mold. I have gone through the desensitizing shots every three days and am now on one shot each week. My foster mom says it’s very easy to give me this shot. I don’t like it to well, but I am very good when it’s given to me. I am also taking Temeril-P every other day to try and control my itchies. Some days are better than others but I really am feeling pretty good. All of my hair has grown back and I am looking adorable if I do say so myself.

I am a petite pug, weighing in at about 13 pounds. I get along great with my foster brother and sister and cuddle up with them if my foster parents aren’t home. I do adore my foster mom and really wish she never had to leave the house, but I guess she has to sometimes. I’d prefer to have a new home where someone is home a lot as I really like to be around my humans. And, I’d like a pug or two there too so when my humans leave I have someone I can be near. It goes without saying that I am housebroken, but really hate to go out in the rain. Don’t all pugs?

If you think you may be interested in giving me a new home, please fill out the adoption application and specify you are interested in me.

MY STORY
Hello. My name is Blossom but my foster mom calls me Baby Blossom because I am so small. I'm a one year old female, and I weigh 10.2 pounds. I was turned into a shelter in TN but as you can tell, I have a lot of medical issues so they contacted SEPRA, and they have promised to help make me better! It seems as though I have been deprived of the proper medical care necessary for my ailments since birth. I've progressively gotten worse, and now need some very special care. This is my diagnosis: My heartworm test came back high positive. I have serious ear mites that have taken over my face and ears. The doctor suspects that I have some sort of skin allergies that cause various sores all over my body. I have sarcoptic mange, and I scratch a lot. My owners treated my skin with motor oil, and this seriously infected my open sores. I have Medial Patellar Luxation (both of my knee joints are displaced). I walk with a limp, but I don't know it. My disposition is great. I'm a happy pug with a long healing cycle ahead of me. My medical bills are going to be extremely high. The kind people at SEPRA have decided to give me a second chance, and I need your help. Can you please look deep in your heart to give to my cause? I will be so very grateful! All my best, Baby Blossom

UPDATE 5/29/09:
Blossom has had a rough week. She had to be taken to the doctor because she was not eating or drinking and was very lethargic.

From her foster mom: Overall, Blossom is very dehydrated & malnourished. Her head cold/sinus infection and severe ear infection have reeked havoc on her body these last few weeks/months. The vet feels like she will need to be heavily hydrated before any skin condition can get better. Her skin is extremely tough, and she's very underweight. Her skin issues have gotten much worse the past few days, which leads me to believe that this may be some sort of allergy situation. She has a list of meds. I wash her daily now. She gets bloody when her sores open up but I'm forced to keep her clean. After her baths, she sleeps, and I keep her extremely warm.

We apply A&D ointment on the belly, and Benadryl extra strength itch stopping cream to the rest of the body. She has daily injections of fluids for now. She will be going to a dermatologist next week. Until then, they have advised putting wash cloths soaked in hot water with Epson salt on her wounds.


UPDATE 6/2/09:
Blossom visited Dr Schick at Atlanta Animal Allergy & Dermatology on Monday. The diagnosis was severe generalized coccoid bacteria. An awful staph infection to put it simply. Dr Schick also found that Blossom's mammary glands have a chain of associated masses. These are Tumors that need to be surgically removed to determine if cancer is present. Our first course of action is to clear up the skin issues and get her in good health. It's important that she receive a daily IV for hydration, along with various antibiotics to heal inside and out. After 3 to 4 weeks, Blossom will be evaluated and x-rays done to determine how severe the heartworm treatment will be. It's important that she gain some weight and be in good health to receive these treatments. She won't feel good for 4 to 6 weeks while she's confined, but should be comfortable enough to sleep through the day and night. After the heartworms are under control, there's a possibility that laser surgery will have to be performed to take out the tumors, and hopefully find that cancer isn't the cause. Last but not least is the surgery to correct the bilateral medial patella luxation (repair the slipping knee joints). It seems as though Blossom has given birth at some point in her life, and both Doctors Schick and Adcock agree that she is between 5 and 6 years of age. We don't know what her past has been, and how difficult life was. She's a great pug. She never cries out in pain, and is highly submissive. SEPRA has been careful to plan for a timely recovery, and has put her in a foster home that can give around the clock care. Thank you so much for the many Virtual Fosters who have given to Blossom's cause. It means so very much!

UPDATE 6/25/09:
Blossom is still hanging in there. Her x-rays were done on Friday, and she started heartworm treatment on Monday. Dr Toole found that she is high risk for this treatment. The heart is enlarged, and she's high positive on all testing. We've taken the time to clear up her skin issues as best we can, before starting treatment. Just recently, her itching seemed to be out of control, and her medicine gave her insomnia. This after just a few weeks. All medicine's had stopped working. So we changed meds. She now takes Prednisone, and may need to stay on this for an extended period of time. The itching stopped immediately, and the skin seems to be clearing by the day. But, she can't stay on it forever. After heartworm treatments are over, we need to plan for Allergy testing. As most of you know, these tests are quite expensive. But for now, we need to take the time to rest and let the medication work. I've told you the bad news first. The good news is that Blossom is getting better. We realize that steroids are not the best thing to administer to a beloved pet, but in this case we don't have a choice. It's been almost 2 months, and we've just gotten her some peace. She's fragile and sleeps a lot now, but there's real life in her eyes again. She takes her baths, and wears her E-collar like a little lady. At this point, we need to protect these awful scabs, and give them time to heal. She still never cries or complains, and she's willing to take her pills without hesitation. And best of all, she's been patient enough "not to go" in the house. Blossom wanted to SHOUT OUT to the Georgia Google Group that does their best to share information. These folks truly "Love the Breed," and choose to help each other in times of need. Blossom wanted me to tell everyone that she's still hanging on. She won't give up, and neither should you!

UPDATE 7/10/09:

Well, I went to but another Doctor. This time it was the infamous Georgia Veterinary Specialists. First, the dermatologist gave me some new medicine that treats fungus on my skin. And then the Internal Medicine Doctor aspirated my mammary chain mass and found clear cystic fluid. She recommended that SEPRA wait to have my mass removed and biopsied at the time of my spay. The cytology will determine benign vs malignant mammary tumors. But for now, I'm going through my heartworm treatment, and it's scary for me. I've had some tough days and my foster mom has had to give me pepto bismol for my upset stomach. My next treatment is on August 4th and 5th, and I will get 2 shots to kill off the last of my heartworms. Whew, what a month. The good news is that I'm being weaned off those nasty steroids. My skin problem still persists, but without so much itching. NO MORE E-Collar! The sores come and go, and are mostly observed on my trunk and limbs now. The plan, to date, is to finish the heartworm treatment in August and then go into the hospital in September to be spayed and have my mass removed. This may also be a chance to operate on my knee joints while I'm under anesthesia. I'll be all fixed then, and have enough time to heal and see you guys at PugFest in October. I'll be the pug with all the battle scars. For now, no one has really yet determine what I have, but in time, SEPRA will surely take the right steps to figure it all out. I thank all my Doctors, and you kind and generous people who have been so interested in my recovery. It means a lot that you care!
 
UPDATE 7/30/09:
Blossom had her second heartworm treatment on 7/21 and 7/22. She went earlier than scheduled, because she was ready for the next phase. But within 4 days, she stopped eating and drinking. Her skin was pale, and she began to wheeze and cough. She seemed to sleep well during the day, but would stay up all night with what sounded like congestion in her chest. She would sit up in bed with her eyes open, somewhat dazed. After a very difficult Monday night, we took her to the Vet on Tuesday morning. Dr Toole took another x-ray and did more blood work to better assess the problem. Because her heartworms were so severe, her little body is working overtime to break them down. This last treatment was very aggressive, and will positively break down this last group of female worms with a vengeance. We have a new antibiotic that should help with her breathing and fight off infection. She's also taking a pill to stimulate her appetite. The danger at this point is blood clots.

Today is 7/30, and Blossom slept pretty good last night. She's eating again and can walk outside without having to rest. Blossom's sores have subsided. We haven't had a flare up in 2 weeks. Her hair growth is great with just a few patches left to complete a full coat. The itching has stopped, and we take no more steroids! We have about 3 weeks now before we can presume that we're out of the woods. I've shown Blossom her web page and all the people who have become her Virtual Foster Parents. I just know she's smiling inside knowing that so many people truly care what happens to her. Blossom has been given the best care that a Pug could wish for. Keep her in your prayers. She's been a good girl through it all.

UPDATE 8/20/09:
Well, its mid month, and I'm still sitting here. Bummer. I've stayed still for 3 weeks, and we're almost done killing off those nasty worms on my heart. I've had a few close calls, but I've come through with flying colors. My skin is clear; no more sores. My coat has grown back beautifully, and my tail has curled. I'M PRETTY now. I've gained all of one pound, and yep, that puts me at 11 pounds now. People mistake me for a puppy, but I'm 5 (or 6) and fully-grown. Also, I'm positively housebroken. I'm a little stinker though. Now that I'm feeling better, my personality has come to the forefront. Although, it seems that I'm a wee bit stubborn. I want it MY WAY. My Foster Mom's working with me. She calls it an attitude adjustment. I'm learning commands as I go along; Sit, stay, come, yada, yada, yada. At night, I sleep in the bed curled up next to my foster mom's neck. When I was so sick, I would go to sleep in this position, and I guess it stuck. Enough of the mushy stuff. Let's talk about my future. I finished ALL my medications. And, I may be able to skip the hip surgery at this time. As my little body has gotten healthy, my knee joints seem to have stayed in position. I have 2 weeks to go before my next Vet visit. The Doctor will evaluate my condition, and look at my tumors. I'll be spayed as well. I hope to do this at the first of September. But until then, I'm gonna live it up and visit with some of the people who have kept up with me. Look for me at the SEPRA Yappy Hour on August 29th. It's at the Iron Horse Tavern in Old Town Norcross from 5 to 8. Also, on August 30th, I'll be at the Responsible Dog Ownership Day at Jim R Miller Park in Marietta from 12 to 5. And if I'm feeling ok, my foster mom will take me to the East Atlanta Strut Parade on September 19. Folks, I'm comin' out...

UPDATE: 9/23/09:
I was doing pretty good for a while, and then came time for me to be spayed. After my operation, I developed sores on my face, ears, and folds. I was swollen for over 2 weeks. My mammary glands filled up, and I itched everywhere. I can't seem to shake this. I'm scooting across the floor to get relief. I'm back on my preds every other day, and I have a new topical antibiotic. My foster mom keeps me comfortable, but something's gotta give. I look fine one day and then the next everything changes. Very confusing! We have plans to go back to GVS soon, and I guess they'll prod and probe, and see what else they find. I'm a big 'ole question mark right now. Thank you to my SEPRA family out there. I've come a long, long way. It won't be long. They'll figure out the right medicine for me, and this will all be behind me. My foster mom says that I look gorgeous in my new picture the sheet hides all my bad stuff! Love, Blossom

Thank you to our Virtual Fosters: Judy P., Susan W., Brianna S., Pamela G., Ashley Q., Jennifer A., Tracy F., Yolanda W., Dee Dee D., Lara W., Glenda W., Kelly L., Christine D., Jennifer H., Susan T., Alison L., David S., A. Jones, Joe C., Aaron E., Milwaukee PugFest, Steven K., Beverly S., Christie F., Jamie W., Kari B., GPHA, Emory Chapter, Steven K., Michelle O'H., Scott E., Evan W., Jillian D., Steven K., Kimberly P., Heather T., Sarah S., Alan M., Rochelle G., Molly B., Jessica L., Carl L. and Tegwin T., Dave W.