Diesel

My story

Meet Diesel! Diesel is an amazing boy who is good with kids, other dogs, and can be cat tested! He is around 5 years old and weighs 71 lbs. He has always lived outside but we believe he could be trained to live indoors with some patience and a routine. Two of our fellow non-profit contacts found him hobbling along without any use of his back legs while they were out driving in Sweetwater, TN. They pulled over and upon speaking with his owners, found out that he was hit by a car over 2 weeks prior. Unfortunately, his family could not afford to take him to the vet to examine his injuries or figure out how to best support his mobility needs and they agreed to surrender him to our rescue! He saw the vet on May 14th 2024 and we learned that his back was broken in two places. We were originally told that he was likely paralyzed and will likely not regain function of his two back legs. The vet also discovered that Diesel was Heartworm positive. Since then, he underwent the fast-kill method to kill the Heartworms and has completed his treatment after 30 days of rest! One of our amazing followers also donated the funds to get Diesel a custom wheelchair! This wheelchair will follow him to his forever home! Diesel is nothing short of a miracle and we are so excited to finally find a loving home for him. Diesel had is reevaluation on Jan 15th, 2025 at 10am. Diesel will still need his wheelchair at times, however, he can go short distances without it. He will need his wheelchair when he is getting fatigued. If he is going on long walks, he will need it and when he is outside playing for a while. At this time, we are working with him gradually to get him to use his wheelchair less and less. there may be days or a month, where he may not need to use it at all. but, we are not there yet. Diesel has gotten part of his tail amputated due to him chewing on it. UT thinks there may have been some tingling sensations going on in his tail that was bothering him from the back injury. However, it's truly unknown because a perfectly healthy dog will do the same thing. He is scheduled to go in on Wednesday , Jan, 22, 2025 to get part of it amputated. We are only going to schedule a very small amount taken off first and then see how he does after. Since dogs use their tails to balance, it's important to not take too much at once. While we have him marked as good with kids, please keep in mind that he is a pit mix, he likes to use his mouth allot to give kisses. He also does "love bites". He will use his tongue and open and close his mouth so fast that his teeth will come in contact, just a tad. What we like to do is sit on the floor with him to love on him. When we do this, he will lick our face or hand or wherever ( adults at this time have been allowed to sit down with him). He has licked the founders chin and had his teeth touch her as well. its never been out of nothing but love. He just has a smile on his face 24/7 when he gives "love kisses". He has never left a mark, but you can feel them. It may scare a child, if they are not use to it. Additionally, We do have his x-rays and all information from UT in our email and would be happy to show you for further explanation. If he is put on transport (not ideal) , he would need time to relax /recoup from the long drive. If you are able to come pick him up, that would be best so he can get out and stretch more frequently during the travel. He absolutely loves car rides and just to be with you! it is discouraged that he is paws up on anything like coming up to your waist to get closer for loves for example. This is so he doesn't slip and reinjure himself. He is healed to the point of it being ok, but there is always that possibility of him slipping. We can teach you how to put him in and out of his wheelchair. at this time he is in his wheelchair now is about 10 minutes if he is out playing for an hour or so. We are working towards a longer and longer time for him to just be on his own. He does not need his wheelchair inside or when he is just walking short distances, Its strictly just for fatigue at this point. If he is out playing, and is able to relax and rest, he wont need it. If you are out on a walk, and he is getting tired, he will need it if you plan on continuing the walk. ********************************************************************************************************* UT notes: -------------------- MEDICAL RECORD UT VTH CLIENT DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS ----- NOTE DATED: 01/15/2025 11:41 DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS (34-49-56) DIESEL DR. MICHELLE ESPY WOOFWOOF FOSTERS MONROE COUNTY ANIMAL HOSPITAL 3790 CLAY HOLLOW ROAD 116 SANDS ROAD SWEETWATER, TN 37874 CANINE STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER SWEETWATER, TN 37874 M 2020 BLK 423 337 7432/423 337 2494 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- DATE OF ADMISSION: JAN 15, 2025@10:00 DATE OF DISCHARGE: JAN 15, 2025@12:00 CLINICIAN(S): MARTI DRUM DVM, PhD, DACVSMR STUDENT: Bobbie Jo Bennett ================================================================= ============ DIAGNOSIS: 1. L5-L6 fracture/luxation (healed) 2. Tail trauma with end/tip necrosis Weight: 32.3 kgs (71 lbs.) ================================================================= ============ CASE SUMMARY: Diesel presented to the UTCVM Rehabilitation Service today for rear wheel cart evaluation. On presentation, he was bright and alert, and all vitals were within normal limits. He was taken in by the rescue around June/July 2024 and noted to have issues dragging his back legs about 2 weeks prior. His physical exam findings today included some dry skin and areas of hair loss along his ankles. He also had severe trauma to his distal tail where the tip has necrosed (dead tissue) and is cold to the touch. There was absent to delayed proprioception in his left hind limb, but normal in his right hind. Bilateral hind limb atrophy was improved but still present. He did have radiographs from his primary veterinarian showing evidence of an old lumbar L5-L6 fracture/luxation that has since healed. Otherwise orthopedically, we did not find any abnormalities. Some minor adjustments were made to his Eddie's wheel chair, but he is still able to pull his hind legs out of the cart at times. He is currently on gabapentin 300mg twice a day, and receives Dasuquin joint supplements daily. ================================================================= ============ RECOMMENDATIONS 1) Continue to use his rear support wheel chair during periods of fatigue after activity. 2) Incorporate daily sit-to-stand exercises, 10 reps per session with proper 'rock-back sit' posture and avoid 'walking out' of the sit as demonstrated. The posture during his sit and subsequent standing is important to allow targeted quad and hamstring strengthening rather compensatory movement from the shoulder ** THIS NOTE CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE ** -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DIESEL ~ WOOFWOOF FOSTERS UT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MED Printed:01/15/2025 13:30 34-49-56 DOB:00/00/2020 Pt Loc: OUTPATIENT VTH 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MEDICAL RECORD UT VTH CLIENT DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 01/15/2025 11:41 ** CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE ** and core. 3) Diesel will need a tail amputation as the tip of his tail is now dead. Because Diesel does use his tail for balance, it is reasonable at this time to consider a partial amputation. However, partial tail amputations may fail and result in revision to full tail amputation. Please follow up with your regular DVM for tail amputation. 4) Another option for a wheel chair would be "Walkin' Wheels" (brand of cart with a fabric saddle). These style carts can sometimes be easier for dogs to run in. Diesel's Eddie's Wheels cart is still useful, especially in the future as we anticipate as he ages the spine will degenerate further. This is likely several years in the future. Eddie's Wheels carts are the best option for dogs that have minimal to zero ability to move their legs and are very debilitated. Moderately active dogs also do well in Eddie's carts, but may be limited from high activity like fast running. 5) Continue using the Eddie's as needed, but attempt to gradually decrease use to determine if Diesel has gained enough strength to discontinue use for now. Additionally, the Walkin Wheels carts do offer a partial reimbursement if returned within the first 30 days, so it may be an option to trial the different cart style. Regardless, you should see continued improvement not regression. If you note regression, this could indicate new onset orthopedic disease (most likely elbow or knee problems given Diesel's breed), or new/worsening spinal cord compression. A DVM should evaluate Diesel if these changes are noted. ======= Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns regarding Diesel's care. We are happy to recheck or readjust his carts as needed. RECEIPT OF ABOVE ANIMAL IS ACKNOWLEDGED: ___________________________________ CLIENT SIGNATURE DATE Signed by: /es/ MARTI DRUM DVM, PhD, DACVSMR SACS Rehabilitation 01/15/2025 12:44 for BENNETT,BOBBIE MSc, Clinical Student - Class of 2025 Cosigned by: /es/ MARTI DRUM DVM, PhD, DACVSMR SACS Rehabilitation 01/15/2025 12:44 01/15/2025 13:21 ADDENDUM STATUS: COMPLETED Correction, Diesel was rescued in May 2024. ** THIS NOTE CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE ** Signed by: /e This animal is being fostered in the South but transport to a location near you is included in your adoption fee. We use Rescue Riders Pet Transport, (www.rescueridersllc.net), the most animal-friendly transport on the road.

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Diesel, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.