Update: Please help Charlie

Update 9-23-23: Charlie continues to amaze us all and improves daily. The extreme heat during August prevented him from the recommended 3 short walks daily so it was decided to have him go through physical therapy. His therapist is so pleased with his progress. Everyone at the North Texas Animal Rehab center loves Charlie and calls him their “sweetheart”. He is so eager to please and as a result, he is much steadier on his feet. His stamina continues to increase and if he weren’t on a leash, he might take off running. Just a few more weeks of rehab and Charlie will be good as new, if not better. Thanks to everyone who participated in helping this pup regain a pain free and wonderful future.

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Update 8-16-23: “Howdy everyone. Charlie here! I just came back from my checkup with my orthopedic surgeon. She was able to perform my surgery on both hips at the same time which went very well. The surgery was a big success and I am ready to start riding the range soon. My foster mom will be helping me exercise and perform some physical therapy to strengthen all my muscles. They hope in a month or two I’ll be back in the saddle again. I’ve also trimmed a few pounds off and weigh 28 lbs now, down 10 lbs from my initial weight. I’m looking really good these days and able to support myself better with a new knee and hips. Thanks to all of you who were supportive in getting my legs back under me. Because of ya’ll, I have a healthier, happier and pain-free life. Much gratitude!”

They hope in a month or two I’ll be back in the saddle again. I’ve also trimmed a few pounds off and weigh 28 lbs now, down 10 lbs from my initial weight. I’m looking really good these days and able to support myself better with a new knee and hips. Thanks to all of you who were supportive in getting my legs back under me. Because of ya’ll, I have a healthier, happier and pain-free life. Much gratitude!”

Update 6-25-23:  Charlie is one resilient guy! He has recovered well from his 1^st surgery. He no longer has any exercise restrictions and loves his daily walks! He is a such a sweet and happy boy. He loves his foster mom and fur siblings! Such a happy go lucky boy. 

He had a follow up with the surgeon this week that went very well. He is cleared for his hip surgery and it is scheduled for mid July. They feel it is a good option to have both hips done at the same time versus the 2 separate surgeries. They will monitor him overnight after the surgery and ensure his pain levels are managed and then he will come home to start his rehab journey. It will be about a 5 month road to recovery give or take.  

Thank you to all who donated so far to help with this sweet boy’s high veterinary expenses!

The veterinary costs associated with the surgeries, follow up visits, and rehab will be about $11-12K. Please donate to help this loving Cavalier get the help he needs.

 

March 5th: Our dear Charlie. He wears the weight of the broken world on his mangled frame, and still he rises.

His foster mom’s eyes brighten and slightly glisten when she starts to tell his story. Even amongst the beloved Cavaliers, Charlie is special. He is an exceptionally sweet and affectionate  9 year old Blenheim boy who sadly found his way to rescue after several years of neglect due to health issues in his family. His intake medical evaluation revealed that his treatment plan will require extensive surgical interventions and a long road to recovery to give him a pain-free life. But today despite his pain, he somehow manages to roll onto his back and wiggle with youthful joy, just to please a stranger and invite them for a happy belly rub. Charlie definitely prefers to be the apple of your eye but does get along with other friendly dogs. He will also happily interact with respectful children. 

While in rescue, his foster family and support team have all recognized the same thing: Charlie has an incredibly deep desire to love others and an inexplicably strong will to experience a new life as a happy dog. When he has any improvement in condition, no matter how minor or incremental, cheerful Charlie seizes the opportunity to walk a little faster, wiggle a little more, and reach a little higher. His resilience and grace has been deeply moving to all involved, and after much consideration, the rescue strongly believes that Charlie and the life he could lead are worthy of the substantial investments required to provide him with a healthy future. 

Charlie was diagnosed with Spondylosis, Osteoarthritis, severe Hip Dysplasia, Luxating Patella’s and a torn Cruciate Ligament. For Charlie to experience life without significant pain, his treatment plan will require two-three separate orthopedic surgeries to be performed over the course of a year. While he awaits surgical intervention, Charlie takes daily pain medication and a joint supplement to help manage the severe discomfort he currently experiences. After each surgery, he will need some rehab and mobility assistance as he recovers, so it will be important that his primary caregiver is at home most of the day and physically able to lift him in and out of a car.

One other issue we are dealing with is his weight. Unfortunately Charlie was severely overfed, gaining almost 13 pounds in a 7-month period topping the scale at 43 pounds. This too has caused him additional pain. True to form though, Charlie has already made a handsome amount of progress while on a weight-loss diet under veterinary supervision and is now down to 38 pounds. This loss, and by controlling his pain with medication, has made Charlie a much happier boy and he is now enjoying 3 short walks a day! He will need to continue this protocol for the foreseeable future until he reaches a healthy weight. 

While cognizant of the resource implications, Cavalier Rescue USA is passionate about pursuing the necessary medical care and surgeries for Charlie due to the incredible promise that he’s shown combined with his otherwise good health. Therefore, any donation amount would be welcomed and appreciated. Rest assured that Charlie is a very special Cavalier and wholly deserving of this opportunity. 

We thank you on Charlie’s behalf for your consideration and look forward to updating you with encouraging information about his future in the coming months. 

The veterinary costs associated with the surgeries, follow up visits, and rehab will be about $11,000-12,000. A lot, we know. Please donate to help this loving Cavalier get the help he needs.