Topsy’s is a difficult story, one that’s thankfully rare when it comes to DBARC’s schnauzers.
Eight years ago Topsy arrived at DBARC in serious need of help, having been rescued from a puppy farm. Over a period of months she was given all the necessary veterinary care needed to get her new life off to a good and healthy start. This included restoring her eyesight with cataract surgery. She was fostered by Janet and loved by the whole DBARC team during her stay at the centre, before being adopted.
Roll on 8 years and Topsy is now around 12-14 years old. And she is back at DBARC. Her health isn’t good, there are many unknowns about exactly what’s going on with this sad, surrendered elderly soul. Early diagnostics have shown spleen, liver and gallbladder issues, along with chest congestion which isn’t new.
Circumstances change, dogs across the country find themselves relinquished to rescues in their twilight years. This we know, this is hard for us to accept, those of us who cannot imagine it happening to one of our own. But it does happen and thank goodness for Topsy she will live out her days back in the loving embrace of Janet and her team. But it’s heartbreaking to see the confusion of an old dog who is not in good health, whose medical needs are not recent nor minor. But, Topsy has settled back in with Janet and she undoubtedly senses she is now safe, forever more, she is safe.
One of the biggest urgent concerns, and this will be addressed as soon as she is strong enough to undergo the anaesthetic is she has a very bad mouth and her teeth are giving her significant bother. Whatever the full range of issues she has are revealed to be, those that can be treated, those that are best watched at this stage of life and in her frail state, she is safe. This is what our charity ensures, that care for rescue dogs is exemplary, including palliative.
This is what every donation to our charity supports, this kind of exceptionally dedicated rescue work.
UPDATE - 5 December 2019
Topsy went in for urgent dental work a couple of days ago. Due to her frailty, age and various health-challenges the procedure was highly risky, but necessary as her infected mouth was causing her a great deal of bother. The kindest thing was to risk the procedure. It was an anxious few hours for all involved and waiting back at DBARC for news. It was a great relief during the afternoon to be told that Topsy was awake, eating and feeling a lot brighter. Most of her teeth had to be removed, but a gummy-Topsy is a much happier Topsy and there’s no doubt at all the right decision to go ahead a little sooner than planned with her dental was correct.
She is now recovering back in the loving care of Janet, DBARC manager and extraordinary foster mum and adopter to many an animal in need.
Topsy, sleeping off the effects of anaesthetic with a more comfortable mouth than she began her day with.
20 DECEMBER 2019
Topsy has had a rocky few weeks since being surrendered to DBARC. But, all seems to be coming around better for her, there’s cautious optimism she may be feeling the best that she has in a long while. Following her dental work, just as she was starting to recover, she was admitted as an emergency patient for an overnight stay in hospital - pancreatitis had her in its grip. It was a worrying 24 hours, but, after getting her stabilised, Topsy was released back into her foster mum Janet’s expert care. With Janet’s vigilance and experience, Topsy soon started to feel better, and the melancholy began to lift. Yesterday she was seen by the eye specialists at The Ralph Veterinary Referral Centre. Janet feared her damaged eye would need removing, but the ophthalmologist is certain it’s not causing her pain or bother and no surgery is needed. A big relief. Topsy is comfortable, safe, loved and will be enjoying Christmas with Janet.
JANUARY 2020 - UPDATE
Topsy had a good Christmas! Her health has stabilised under the expert care of Janet and the veterinary team monitoring this gorgeous senior dog.
She has recently been seen by the eye specialists at The Ralph Veterinary Referral Centre and the good news is that her dry eye symptoms have improved since being on treatment. This is excellent and should mean she is more comfortable. While pressure in her ‘good’ eye is raised, it is not causing undue concern but will be regularly monitored.
All her other main issues are controlled by medication and watched. At her grand age and with her overall health being less than robust, no further investigations are indicated but everything she needs to keep her comfortable is available. She will live with Janet for as long as she has, and the best news really from Janet’s update is that Topsy very obviously knows that she is loved, not only by Janet but by all the humans and dogs who are helping her in her twilight.