Help us, Help Otis

This is Otis’ story. Otis is, from what we have been told, a one-year-old Pug who has known three different owners in his very short life. “…a purebred Pug?!” “How could anyone…” Believe me, I asked the same questions when I read through the surrender application submitted on his behalf. It was noted that he, “walks in circles plus sideways. He falls a lot. He has been going through what we think are seizures.” As I continued to read, my own two pugs snore away, curled up on my King sized bed. “Not altered. Not vaccinated. 1-2 years old.” “We don't know much about him. We got him from a friend that won't take him back.” My heart sank. My rescue team, only a Facebook message away, immediately took action. One of us called to make him an appointment at our veterinarian’s office while I frantically tried to get ahold of Otis’ surrendering owner. I called and left a message. I emailed. I texted. Surely, they saw this behavior as emergent, right? I hoped. Hours passed. I didn’t hear anything. My heart sank further when I had to cancel the appointment we had made earlier in the day. Later that afternoon, I finally heard back from the woman who had Otis. “Are you home? Do you still have him? Can I call you back?” With fingers crossed, I called the veterinarian’s office back and explained the situation. They had a 3:00 appointment available. “I will be there.” Glancing at the clock, I realized I had exactly 64 minutes to make a 53 mile round trip - give or take. I threw my coat on, grabbed my keys, and headed out the door.

Surely this isn’t…it is. Deep breath. As I entered the home, Otis was placed on the floor in front of me. His head sunk, he wobbled and fell. I scooped him up, thanked the woman for seeking help and I was out of there. I wrapped Otis in a towel and held him close. “Don’t worry buddy, we are going to help you.” While he happily licked the inside of my driver’s side window, my heart sank even deeper. Could this be a liver shunt? PDE? Surely it’s neurological. My nurse mind was racing as fast as I noticed I was driving. I had 22 minutes to get Otis the help that he so desperately needed. 

“His liver function is normal. His kidney function is normal.” Thank God. It’s NOT a liver shunt. His white count is elevated and the eosinophil level is the highest I’ve ever seen.” “His sodium and chloride levels are elevated.” “The serial X-ray is normal.” “His cranial nerves are intact. He responds appropriately.” “We do not have a definitive answer.” With that, Otis was started on Prednisone and Clavamox. We were instructed to de-worm him, assess behaviors, watch for any seizure activity, and report back to the doctor the following day. 

Otis is currently being cared for by one of Tanner’s PAWS’ board members. She is closely monitoring him while we all hope for reports of improvement. If he does not make any improvement over the next few days, the plan will be to see a neurologist at Cornell Companion Animal Hospital.

Up until yesterday, Otis has been failed by the humans that knew him. No one ever cared enough about him to schedule a well visit with a veterinarian even as a puppy. No one ever cared enough to see to it that he was vaccinated for preventable diseases and parasites. And when he needed his humans the most, he was given away not once, but twice. We are thankful that the woman who knew him for a mere week cared enough about him to seek rescue. Otis is now safe with Tanner’s PAWS. We are determined to raise the funds necessary to have him evaluated at a higher level facility that will undoubtedly give us a definitive diagnoses. We will not fail him like others before us.

Please, help us help Otis. With your support, we hope to rewrite the beginning of Otis’ story.

Otis was NOT harmed in the filming of these videos.