Ruby was rescued from the county shelter and taken in by our rescue group. She went to a foster home, but within a few days became sick with what initially looked like kennel cough. Her condition worsened and she now needs hospitalization for possible pneumonia and also needs a blood transfusion. We are very worried about poor Ruby and want to give her the best care possible. Of course, that's expensive!

Our main mission is to rescue dogs who are in danger of getting euthanized at county shelters. In order to accomplish this mission, we must raise funds to cover the greater than ordinary vet bills such as this one. Please help us help Ruby!!

Sincerely,

Lisa Maturo

**UPDATE**TUESDAY 6/23/07  Spoke to the Vet at 5:30pm today, Saturday, and she seems to be doing a little better. Her fever came down, the transfusion helped perk her up and she's pinker in the gums and she ate her dinner!!  We're very  hopeful she will be on the mend. They are running several tests....tick fever, valley fever, distemper, and a urine test to determine possible "shar pei fever" syndrome, an autoimmune disorder. She looks to be part Shar Pei.  She is in good hands with a great vet, so we're hopeful she will come around. I will post any news I get tomorrow (Sunday) on her condition.

**UPDATE**6/26/07   Spoke to the vet at 5pm Tuesday and Ruby is improving each day. Today finally all the bloodwork came back and she is positive for tick fever. That might explain part of her illness (anemia, needing blood transfusion) but not all. She also has some inflammation in her lungs and some erosions in her mouth that make it hard for her to eat comfortably, so they're still trying to determine the cause of that. But the very good news is that her body responded to the transfusion and she is no longer anemic, acts perky, and is winning over everyone who is working closely on her at the vets. Everyone loves Ruby!!  They want to keep her at least one more day to be sure her body is responding to the transfusion and to test further on the cause of her lung congestion, which seems to be improving. The distemper tests came back negative, so we at least know it's not that!! 

www.luckydogrescue.org