We pulled Herbie from the E-list (for URI) at MCACC East Side on October 9 on a tip from some very caring people. Pricilla and Clint, thank you for your e-mails and phone calls letting us know about Herbie and his situation at the shelter. You are his guardian angels! Herbie is such a sweet boy, but unfortunately, he is very ill. After being held at the shelter for almost 3 weeks, he acquired kennel cough and was put on the E-List due to illness. Poor boy, when we did his evaluation at the shelter, the only time he perked up is when we asked him if he wanted to play ball. After pulling him and placing him in foster care, we were treating him for kennel cough but after spending two days at his foster home, he wasn’t getting any better and was still not eating so we took him to Animal Medical Surgical Center for full blood work, including tests for Tick and Valley Fever. We also had x-rays taken of his chest at the recommendation of Dr. Pullen. After evaluating the chest x-rays, Dr. Pullen diagnosed Herbie with having a severe case of bacterial pneumonia. Part of one of Herbie's lung lobes was filled with fluid and infection. He is now hospitalized in intensive care and is currently spending part of his day in a nebulization chamber to assist in clearing out his lungs and enabling him to breathe a little easier. He is also receiving life sustaining IV fluids and medication.
Update 10-14-10
When we followed up with the vet yesterday, they indicated that Herbie is making progress, but is still coughing and having difficulty in breathing. He will require treatment in the nebulization chamber for atleast a few more days in order to get his lungs cleared up. They also indicated that he is in good spirits and was able to eat and retain a little solid food today and yesterday. That was great news since he hadn’t eaten since we pulled him. Apparently, he even got a little feisty when the vet tech tried to take his temperature today, which was also a good sign...I think. Unfortunately, Herbie isn’t out of the woods yet. He is going to need stay at AMSC for care until he shows a significant improvement. His medical bill for the two days he's been there has already reached $800 and though AMSC is providing a significant discount to the rescue, his daily intensive care cost is $300 - $500 dependent on how long he will need to stay in the nebulization chamber. We greatly appreciate the AMSC rescue discount provided for Herbie but the bill for his care is still spiraling upwards rapidly!
Though it's difficult to justify putting so much money into one dog, Herbie became part of the New Hope Cattle Dog family when we pulled him from the shelter. He has such a sweet and gentle soul and is putting up a vigilant fight to survive. Herbie continues to make small improvements and we are all keeping him in our thoughts and prayers and sending positive thoughts his way. As long as Herbie continues to improve, we feel his life is worth saving. He has touched many hearts ...even hearts from people that haven’t met him and though Herbie’s recovery is slow, his prognosis is hopeful as long as we can continue to provide him with the care he so desperately needs but we need your help! Paws crossed and Bentley’s glowing for Herbie! PLEASE consider making a donation to assist with Herbie’s care AND continue sending positive thoughts his way....Thanks, in advance, for any help you can provide!!!
If you would prefer to send a donation by check please send to
New Hope Cattle Dogs Rescue
P.O. Box 947
Gilbert, Az. 85299
add "For Herbie" on memo line
Oct. 18 Status
I talked to Dr. Pullen this morning. He said the x-ray from Saturday showed slight clearing in the lung. He is going to take another x-ray today. He said he is still struggling with the coughing (though more mucus is coming up) and he still isn't eating well. They are treating for baterial pneumonia and that is what he feels it is, but can't be 100% sure. He said he couldn't rule out the valley fever and wants to treat with Fluconozole. He said with the titers being under 1:2 he doubts it, but can't rule it out. With all that being said he feels he can be released today for home treatment. Yeah!!!!
Dr. Pullen is still being cautious about his prognosis. Bacterial pneumonia is slow to treat. One positive thing is he hasn't gotten worse. Please continue to send positive thoughts his way.
I think being in an home environment will help his spirits. Thank you Julia for fostering him.
Thank all of you for your support and for caring for sweet Herbie.
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Oct. 19th Status, one day after being in his foster home.
Just wanted to let you all know that Herbie seems to be doing well. I noticed when we picked him up last night that he was more alert than when we'd dropped him off at AMSC. When I put him in the car, like a stinker, he jumped up front and I had to put him in the back, where he stayed for the rest of the ride, even poking his head between the seats to see what was going on. I heard him coughing some in the middle of the night, but overall, his breathing is much less labored and his coughing is lessened. He had no nasal discharge at all today. He's perked up enough to come when called and is showing some stubbornness and some fight, especially at pill time. He's getting at least two vaporizing treatments per day in a tented crate for an hour each time, with coupaging afterward. The coupaging seems to generate a bit of a cough, so that's good. I've been putting him in my master bathroom, where I have a bed set up for him and the vaporizer in there with him during the day as well. He ate some this morning, drank some of the water I gave him today and ate his entire dinner (1/4 to 1/2 cup of wet dog food/tripe/pumpkin mixture with water). I had to remind him the food was there a time or two, but he ate it all up! A good sign! He was also looking for a little love this evening and gave me a couple of kisses. I think our boy is improving. Keep those paws crossed!
Oct. 25th Update:
Dr. Pullen was very happy with Herbie's xrays today. He said even with the critical care treatment he wasn't sure if he was going to pull through, but with the xrays today, he felt much better about his prognosis. He said he has had a 50% improvement since his last xrays. The lungs sound good and has good air in lobe. He says if he continues on this same progress he feels he will have 100% recovery with no damage. He wants to continue with the steaming and all meds until his next check up in 2 weeks. He wants him to stay on fluconozole for 3 months. If his titers are the same or less Herbie can get off meds. Yeah for Herbie!!
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Nov. 10 Update:
Herbie is doing really well. Not 100% yet, but has improved tremendously. He's acting more like an energetic cattle dog now, playing fetch, playing with squeaky toys, and going for walks. His adopters (YES, HIS ADOPTER'S, YEA!!) have been by to visit a few times and he went to their house this weekend to spend the night and meet his "sister," a 2 yo aussie shepherd mix. They got along great! He goes to se Dr. Pullen this weekend for a checkup and x-rays. Thank all of you for your generous donations and caring for Herbie. He's going to have a pretty awesome life.