Help Us Pay for 9 Sick Puppies

For the last almost two weeks we (the extended admin team of Animal Rescue Qld Inc - "ARQ") have been on a roller coaster of being inundated with emergencies of every sort coming at us from every angle.

First there was 12hrs to save 22dogs from Rockhampton pound. Then the struggle to get them here and find carers, then disaster hit soon after.

Within days of arrival, all 9 of the pups we took in ended up in critical care at vets around brisbane. My phone was ringing all day and all through the night as the puppy carers of these 9 rallied together for support and information and even a shoulder to cry on at times.

The first three pups presented with a chronic hookworm burden and negative parvo tests. Within hours they were all having various degrees of continual committing and diahhrea, lethargy and loss of appetite. All of these symptoms are classic of hookworm - which can actually be very fatal in young pups. Within two days, all pups were admitted to vets on IV fluids and supportive medication (anti nausea, antibiotics, pain relief etc). They were also treated for a wide array of parasites (worms etc).

As the days passed, it was expected that these pups would get better. After all - it's just worms right.....?! But instead our little team of carers all endured a roller coaster of good news followed by terrible news. 2 steps forward and sometimes 4 steps back on the road to getting better.

When these guys were deteriorating rather than improving, it was considered that perhaps there was something else going on as well. It's thought that potentially these guys have had to fight parvo at the same time as hookworm. Both conditions are highly contagious and can be fatal. To possibly have both at once is horrendous.

There is no test that will tell us for sure if it is parvo or not. All pups were vaccinated on the day they left the pound (22nd) and as the vaccine contains a live culture of parvo - any test could not be considered 100%. That said, all the carers have been informed of the cleaning and follow up process (including the risk of infection to other unvaccinated dogs) from here.

On Tuesday we endured the very worst day in this journey. One of our little boys, Petey, has lost the fight that afternoon at the vet. His temperature was fluctuating and basically he couldn't fight anymore. I rushed to the vet to potentially have to make a decision on him, but sadly he made that decision for us as slipped away before we arrived.

On Tuesday night the carer took little Charlie and Ellie home. Both Ellie and Charlie were clinically better (no vomits or diahhrea for 24hrs) but were severely depressed and needed hourly syringe feeding to help them gain strength and awaken an appetite. Without eating they wouldn't get any stronger and they would slip away. Without perking up and fighting to live, we would lose the battle too.

We took a leap of faith that we had seen work just days before with another of the pups. The carers took both girls home, they wrapped them up in soft warm blankets, hugged them tight and gave them many kisses and prepared for the long night of hourly feeds ahead. With this love and care, Ellie's demeanour changed for the better - she was wagging her tail but still very tired and had no energy from not eating for almost a week.

Sadly, Charlie died only three short hours after being discharged. Her carers held her in their arms while she passed, and they loved her with all their heart. It was probably the hardest call I've ever had - on one hand we gave Charlie the very kindest, selfless, loving end to her tragically short life. Instead of dying alone in an isolation room in a crate, she was with the people who loved her the most. This selfless act has been so hard on her carers. Being helpless and going through that is beyond words.

Looking forward, we now have 3 happy bright puppies at their foster homes. Little Henry, Carlos and Paulie are all doing very well. Casha and Ellie are at the vets but will be coming home today! Ellie and Jasper are very much on the mend at this stage, but not yet ready for home.

With this, our bill for these 9 puppies intensive care is now well over $12,000. Yes you read that right. So while in between calls and visits and updates and all the other daily tasks of ARQ - we are now in CRITICAL FUNDRAISING MODE. If we don't raise this money, we can't pay our bills. If we can't pay our bills then simply there will be no more ARQ. We have never been in this situation before. It's that desperate.

I do not for a second regret saving these dogs. They are special and their lives matter. They will go on to live long healthy lives being loved and cherished. They were healthy when they left the pound and we had no idea what was to eventuate. We heartbreakingly lost two, but let's face it - all 9 puppies were on the kill list at 10am on Tuesday 22nd and none of them would be alive today if it wasn't for everyone involved.

Please give generously. We really need the help.