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Joey the Dalmatian's Medical Fund
Page Creator: Lisa Maturo
Page Closes: Sep 21st 2006
Fundraising Page Image
For Joey the Dalmatian
About my nonprofit:
Lucky Dog Rescue
Dalmatian Station Rescue came into existence after one individual started saving one dog at a time back in late March of 2004. It began as a specific breed Dalmatian rescue, but quickly evolved into...
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Fundraising target: $8,000
Total raised so far: $7,650.00
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My personal message:
**UPDATE, THURS, April 6th, 7am...I'm so sorry to have to report that Joey passed away last night in his sleep. The vet said he was lying comfortably on his side with no signs of struggle, so they think he passed peacefully while sleeping.
 
He tried so very hard to beat this. It was looking so encouraging for a while, but he was battling a lot and it had been going on for so long before we found him. I wish we found him sooner and had a better chance at reversing the damage...but at least he had a few weeks with people who cared and loved him and did everything possible to help him recover. I hope he knew that. He was a very special boy and I'll never forget the way he smiled and wagged his tail when he was excited to get fed and petted. He deserved to have this chance and I thank everyone again for their kind, generous support.
 
Lisa
**UPDATE, Weds 7pm, April 5th...At 6pm tonight I stopped by to see Joey and he looked much much better in terms of the edema lessening. His body looked a lot less swollen. Hopefully he will continue to improve tomorrow...
**UPDATE, Weds 9:30am, April 5th...Stopped in early this morning to see Joey and there is slight improvement on the edema. Because of the kidney failure, his albumin (protein) level is low and this is causing problems associated with the edema. So they are adjusting a few things to treat the edema crisis and get his albumin up. Joey's body and especially his head are very swollen and his tongue is black and necrotic from the kidney failure. This is making it impossible for him to eat, and so he is being force-fed again with a syringe. He can barely lift his head. Dr Pullen has offered to keep on treating Joey a few more days without going beyond our $8000 available funds limit. We've raised $7100, which is amazing, and I'm hoping we can still get up to the $8000 mark to help us to not have to drain any of our rescue operating funds. This greatly impacts our ability to help other dogs, so our goal is to raise enough to pay his entire bill.  Please help us get there if you can -we're almost there!  As soon as I hear any news on his condition I will post it here. Thank you again for your support and prayers...
**UPDATE, Tuesday 9am, April 4th...Spoke to Dr P this morning and the news is not so encouraging...Apparently Joey went downhill during the last 48 hours, and has lost his appetite and also developed external edema from the kidney failure. He has signs of sepsis (internal bacterial accumulation) developing. He also does not want to get up anymore. His anemia has temporarily improved after the blood transfusions, but clinically speaking, from the way he is acting, he is much weaker and lethargic now than ever before.  He is on two very powerful antbiotics for the sepsis. Also, as an aside, we did run two distemper tests to rule that out and both were negative, so we know we are not dealing with that awful disease. Please pray for Joey to turn around -this is a very critical situation for him now. The vet felt that a few more days may be all we can give him in terms of likelihood of recovery, and cost of continuing to hospitalize him on IV fluids/transfusions. (Our bill is at $8000) We need a miracle - he's come so far and showed improvements, let's hope he can pull through this rough spot... 
**UPDATE, Saturday 9am, April 1st... Joey's attitude and appetite has definitely improved over the past few days. He's eating really well on his own now and drinking well too. The bloodwork did not show improvement on his reticulocyte count (new red blood cells) and there is still concern about whether his body can kick in and make them on his own. He received another blood transfusion (2 units) during Thursday and Friday, which perked him up a lot. He smiled and wagged his tail a lot more on Thursday and Friday. The most current bloodwork did show continued improvement in his kidney values. They will run another panel on Monday or Tuesday and let's pray that his reticulocyte count will be UP! Thanks for your continued prayers and well wishes for Joey. He likes to have visitors, so if anyone is local to Phoenix, just email or call me about going to see him. Also, for more pictures of Joey, see our website: www.luckydogrescue.org under "special needs dogs" for a page on him with more pictures. We're also working on getting the newsclip from the channel 3 story (which ran Mon eve 8pm) up on our site to download and play with media player. Hopefully it will be up on there later today or Sunday.
**UPDATE, Thursday7:30am, March 30... Went to visit Joey yesterday afternoon and he is eating his favorite food, Cesars soft food, on his own. He also likes chicken stix baby food. Those two things are the only foods he will eat on his own. He's also being force-fed and will have the feeding tube this afternoon. His attitude is still pretty good and he urinates a lot on his own. He is getting another blood transfusion this morning. Hopefully we will have more news tomorrow once another blood panel is run and hopefully it will be good news on his kidney values and on the reticulocyte count (measures his bone marrow production of red blood cells).
**UPDATE, Tuesday 7:30am, March 28...Spoke at length with Dr Pullen about Joey. In many ways he has shown small improvements, but there is concern that his body is still not responding enough with producing red blood cells. There was a small improvement on one panel run, but now it's back down and he is getting anemic again. Another blood transfusion is now necessary (expensive!) and the TPN (feeding tube) is being implemented. These two items are very expensive, but very necessary in order to give him the best possible chance. They also need to keep fluids going longer in order to help bring the kidney function back. His blood values for kidney are improving slowly, but are still far from normal. It was a sobering conversation with Dr Pullen and I'm feeling a bit worried.  If his kidney function doesn't come back to a point where we can take him home and do subcutaneous fluids only, and if his body doesn't kick in and start producing more red blood cells, he may not make it ultimately. We need some serious prayers to get those things improving!!! We're doing everything we possibly can from a medical standpoint to make this happen...and we're able to do this, truly, because of all the help coming in financially. We certainly wouldn't have the funds otherwise, and I sooooooo appreciate that.  To get him through the weekend and into next week with continued hospitalization and more blood transfusions, etc, our total cost is around $8000 to just get to that time period....another sobering discovery.  He's come this far though and he's got to pull through!  We will not give up on him! Please pray that his kidney function returns and that his bone marrow will start kicking in to produce reticulocytes (new red blood cells).   
 
**UPDATE, Monday 12pm, March 27...Good news on the kidney blood values! They have changed by a whole digit toward normal. Still have a ways to go to get to a normal value, but each time they run the test it drops down a bit more toward normal!!  This is encouraging...it was especially encouraging for me to see him today because he wagged his tail much more enthusiastically than ever before and smiled a huge smile when I opened the cage to see him. Dr Pullen and the staff all got to see his big smile! I took him out and he walked outside, urinated and stretched his limbs outside for a bit. Also....he ATE ON HIS OWN some of the soft food I bought for him!!!  Still, Dr Pullen feels he needs at least a few more days on 24 hour IV fluids and the feeding tube, so our estimate for funds needed for his continuing care/hospitalization has increased again, but I'm feeling confident we can raise the funds to see him through this!! Thank you everyone for your generosity and prayers....
 
**UPDATE, Sunday 9am, March 26th...Dr Pullen called to report that Joey had a bit more energy today....he got up on his own when they opened the cage, stretched and then laid back down, but showed the desire to get up on his own, which is good! Tomorrow they will check kidney function again with running bloodwork. Pray for good results!
**UPDATE, Saturday 8:30am, March 25th....Just got a call from the vet to report that his creatinine (kidney function marker) has come down even more today, so there is more improvement on his kidney values! His white count is also down and he's much better hydrated. I'll be going to see him later today and will try to get more pictures too. We should have another progress report on Monday when another blood panel will be run.
**UPDATE, Friday 7pm, March 24th.....WOW, I am so overwhelmed with happiness to see how many people have donated and shown support for Joey. We're almost to our goal!  I've been stopping in each day to sit with Joey and see how he's doing. When I approach him, all wrapped up in his blanket with IV's running, the tail will start wagging from underneath the blanket and a very small crinkle of his lips will tell me that he's happy to see me. Yesterday the report from the vet was that one of his kidney values on the blood work improved ever so slightly. It wasn't as much as the vet was hoping for, but it's better than staying the same or going the wrong direction. He still is not interested in eating on his own, so he gets force-fed a special high calorie food several times a day and also will be getting the feeding tube starting Saturday. Joey is also on something called "Rebound", a liquid food supplement. He had two blood transfusions and that went well. They are giving him both IV fluids 24 hours a day and subcutaneous fluids.  On Monday they will re-run blood work again and let's pray that kidney function will show improvement...
 
**UPDATE, Thursday 9am, March 23rd. The vets office called with the results of the ultrasound on his kidneys and the vet said it "looks pretty good, surprisingly".  This is GREAT NEWS!!!!  I'm so excited...I was dreading the results because the vet said if his kidneys were shriveled up into nothing there would be little hope.  They are now ordering a total parenteral nutrition (TPN) feeding tube for him so we can get ahead of the wasting and starvation.
  
**UPDATE, Weds eve, March 22nd. Joey got a blood transfusion yesterday (Weds) and one piece of very encouraging news was that his blood values improved BEFORE the transfusion was given....the anemia blood values improved, and his bone marrow is producing new red blood cells (reticulocytes) now! (this is huge) The biggest problem still is the kidneys...we're praying they can bring at least some function back. He is hospitalized and on 24 hour IV fluids and this should help. He may need some dialysis, the vet said, if wastes keep building up and aren't getting excreted.
 
He has a long road ahead of him. In addition to being tick fever positive, he's also valley fever positive, and his body condition is beyond emaciated. He is a fighter though, I am so amazed by his spirit and the look of determination in his eyes. He wags his tail still and crinkles up a side of his lip to smile when you talk baby talk to him. He's a very very special dog and Dr. Pullen at Pet Medical in Phoenix is doing everything possible to save him. They are wonderful and he's a very experienced, knowledgeable, kind person.
 
Thank you again to all who wrote with suggestions and kind words of encouragement...I really appreciate that!! Keep him in your prayers... he truly is a very special dog and everyone at the vet hospital can see that he's a fighter!! And I really think he knows how much he is loved....

JOEY'S STORY****Thank you for visiting my fundraising page for sweet Joey, a Dalmatian who was found starved and sickly, wandering homeless in Mexico. A kind family who was vacationing saw him and could not leave him there to die. They took him home to Arizona and called Phoenix Dalmatian Station Rescue to help, and the rescue offered to take him in and bring him to a vet for treatment.

Joey has a severe case of tick fever that has led to kidney damage. He is anemic and needs a blood transfusion and continued treatment.  Please help him receive the care he so desperately needs!  Joey is in great spirits...he even does that cute dalmatian smiling, where he crinkles his lips when he's happy to see you!  He wags his long, skinny tail and looks you in the eye with a determination that is palpable!  Joey will need a long term care and is currently hospitalized.

Please help by donating to his medical fund...Dalmatian Station Rescue is a 501(c)(3) and has rescued and rehomed close to 300 homeless dogs since starting two years ago. Vet bills can be very high and the group functions soley on volunteer help and donations.

Please visit our main website for more information about our rescue group....we are in the process of changing our name to Lucky Dog Rescue, to reflect an all-breed commitment...

www.luckydogrescue.org

**Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure.  Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

Thanks so much...

Lisa Maturo

Online Donors to date: Page 1 of 2     Latest  << | < | > | >>  Earliest  
Display Name Date Amount  Comment
Kathy and Judi 4/19/2006 $50.00 Hope he's happy now 
lacey.nelson 4/13/2006 $35.00 In honor of Holly and David and all they do! 
John Evans 4/6/2006 $50.00 In memory of Joey, never got to hug you,but will Never forget YOU 
Ruthie Morgan 4/6/2006 $150.00 You gave it the good fight. We'll miss you, Joey. Love, ruthie, louie, teddy and especially rosie 
Charles Pehl, Buddy, Zoe & Chevy 4/6/2006 $100.00 Your at the Bridge free of pain, run Joey run, we will see you soon. 
Cathy O. 4/5/2006 $40.00 Joey...don't give up! 
Sharlene ONeil 4/5/2006 $20.00 I wish I could donate more but just cannot right now. I am praying for that sweet spottie 
Oscardog 4/5/2006 $100.00 I pray for Joey's health - we have a healthy dog from Dalmatian Station. 
anonymous 4/5/2006 $25.00 You have such a strong spirit, Joey. We are deeply touched. 
Shirley Ann Fulton 4/1/2006 $25.00 Better days ahead, sending prayers and love, hang in there! 
Matt, Lynne & Gracie 4/1/2006 $50.00 from another Dalmation Station pup-Gracie (Matt & Lynne) 
Cathy O 4/1/2006 $40.00 Wishing Joey....The Best!! 
Barbara 4/1/2006 $50.00 Be Strong, Joey...Get Well soon. 
Michelle & Pongo 4/1/2006 $20.00 Whover did this to you should be punished by going hungry!! 
Caron 3/31/2006 $25.00  
Joanna Mattaino 3/31/2006 $100.00 from my spotted fools to you go joey go! 
suzanne c. 3/31/2006 $10.00  
Karen davis 3/31/2006 $25.00  
Sharon 3/30/2006 $50.00  
Sandy 3/30/2006 $10.00 best wishes for a speedy recovery 
Dan Hughes 3/30/2006 $15.00  
Irene Murphy 3/29/2006 $50.00 From, Irene, Darrin, Lady, Meesha, Jazz and the herd 
Hope's pet kids 3/29/2006 $500.00 Love from all my darlings including Worm, Inky, Baby, Max & Ozzy 
Krissy 3/29/2006 $10.00  
Jill Lesinski 3/29/2006 $25.00 God bless animals 
Sue Callahan 3/28/2006 $25.00  
Renee and Critters 3/28/2006 $30.00 Joey- you're loved and tho you are weak, you're helping others be better humans! 
Ellen Cavanagh 3/28/2006 $50.00  
Bogey 3/28/2006 $10.00 Get well, Joey. 
mallory 3/28/2006 $25.00 good luck joey!!! 
Bill Weaver 3/28/2006 $10.00  
The Mason Family 3/28/2006 $100.00 Wishing you a speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Joey!! 
NAB 3/28/2006 $100.00 Hang in there Joey, you will enjoy life now! 
Laura Weissman 3/28/2006 $50.00 Can't wait to meet you tomorrow! 
Karen cares 3/28/2006 $10.00 Praying for you Joey. 
mcecelia2 3/28/2006 $25.00 God bless you Joey Love Casey 
stacy novatt 3/28/2006 $10.00  
Shirl Dorfman 3/28/2006 $100.00 I will pray for Joey's complete recovery! 
Andrea Kahan 3/28/2006 $50.00 Lots of love and hope for your full recovery  
Anonymous 3/28/2006 $25.00  
ally 3/27/2006 $100.00 Joey, please get better,you are in our hearts for ever. don,ally,paige,sadona,Hazel,and,Bear 
Eva Murray 3/26/2006 $25.00 The Sun is shining on you now Joey. Know that you are Loved 
Jennifer 3/25/2006 $50.00 Hang in there Joey! I hope you get well soon! 
Kacie 3/25/2006 $35.00  
omw 3/25/2006 $25.00 Dear Joey, we hope that you will feel better soon 
Julie 3/25/2006 $25.00 To Joey from the giant schnauzers, get well Joey! 
Susan A. Clasen 3/25/2006 $25.00  
Shelly and Tom 3/24/2006 $50.00 We can't wait for Joey to be well enough to go to his new home! 
Sadie 3/24/2006 $25.00  
Nicki Warren 3/24/2006 $50.00 Love and hugs for Joey 
Sylvia 3/24/2006 $100.00 In memory of our beloved Jakie 
Michele G 3/23/2006 $25.00 Never give up!! 
Anonymous 3/23/2006 $50.00  
April and Jesse / SteinHaus Construction 3/23/2006 $25.00 Doin good, bud. Keep it up!  
barb and ginny 3/23/2006 $100.00 lots of love from your friends at superstition mt rescue 
ruthie morgan 3/23/2006 $200.00 We're pulling for you, Joey. ruthie, louie, teddy and especially Rosie 
Henry Lee Northen 3/23/2006 $25.00 Keep wagging your tail, Joey! We're praying for you. 
Tina S 3/23/2006 $50.00 Best wishes for a speedy recovery! Scarlett, Lady and Jack 
Hillary/Rick Brose for the luv of dogz 3/23/2006 $25.00 Joey, you are loved 
Marty Miracle 3/23/2006 $25.00 All the dogs and cats from Az Animal Rescue send their love and are pushing for you Joey. You can d 
greg hales 3/23/2006 $25.00 Your spirit is strong, Joey. My prayers are with you! 
Terry Maillet 3/23/2006 $50.00 Hang in there Joey!Alot of poeple love you! 
The Steinbergs 3/23/2006 $25.00 You are in our thoughts and prayers 
Connie 3/23/2006 $25.00 Your soft eyes touch my heart...keep fighting. 
Jim & Roseann 3/23/2006 $25.00 Our thoughts, hearts and prayers are with you, Joey 
Monzi 3/23/2006 $100.00 Pray for Joey 
Monique Merola, Lisa's Rescue friend : ) 3/23/2006 $25.00 I am praying every day for you Joey......you get better and know that you are sooooo, very loved!!!  
Katherine & Joe 3/23/2006 $100.00 So many care and we want you to get well. -The Gosigers 
Animal Loving Friends 3/23/2006 $20.00  
Valerie C 3/23/2006 $25.00 What a trooper! Hang in there Joey! 
Jen C. 3/23/2006 $25.00 Just hang in there -- you've come so far. 
Charlie Pehl 3/22/2006 $25.00  
jenny alberty 3/22/2006 $50.00 hugs and kisses to Joey - From AMOS 
Jim and Kelly (Fox) Shethar 3/22/2006 $25.00 In memory of Czar. Hang in there Joey! We'd love to meet you someday. 
Shannon (New Hope Cattle Dogs) 3/22/2006 $25.00 My thoughts and prayers are with you and Joey! Keep us posted. 
Robyn 3/22/2006 $25.00  
Renee Moffitt 3/22/2006 $25.00 We're praying for you, Renee, Tommy, Hogan, Brisco, Payne, Wiley, Keno and Casey 
AnthonyB 3/22/2006 $150.00  
Pamela 3/22/2006 $25.00 God Bless you for helping Joey. We will hold Joey in the light. 
Cindy Bender 3/22/2006 $25.00 We Love You Joey! Mantei and Sweetpea. 
Penny & Lucy Sill 3/22/2006 $25.00 Praying you well 
Vikki Whipple 3/22/2006 $25.00 Arf! Arf! (That means "get better" in dog language) 
Steve 3/22/2006 $10.00 For Joey from Spencer Cat 
Terri C. 3/22/2006 $35.00 Good luck, sweetie pie - we're all rooting for you! 
Stacey 3/22/2006 $25.00 Joey will be in my prayers..... :) 
SSStowe 3/22/2006 $100.00 for Joey from Smith 
Gretchen Rebold 3/22/2006 $25.00  
Emmeline Manzur 3/22/2006 $25.00 I also have a dalmatian, just like you Joey, I hope you get better soon. We are all expecting that. 
Holly Thomas 3/22/2006 $25.00 Keep the fight up Joey!  
Stephanie Green 3/22/2006 $25.00 Little Libby & I are rootin for ya! 
Tina 3/22/2006 $100.00 You can do it Joey - our prayers are with you here in Montana. 
The Jednat Family 3/22/2006 $50.00 Joey, Stay Strong!, Thank Lisa B., Love, The Jednat Family 
Nancy T 3/22/2006 $200.00 BLESS YOU JOEY- WE LOVE YOU- KEEP FIGHTING 
Doug & Mykle Flatley 3/22/2006 $50.00  
Sandy Day 3/22/2006 $50.00 I'm rooting for Joey!!! 
Courtney Davis 3/22/2006 $25.00 Sending lots of prayers and dally hugs to Joey!!! 
steve malnack 3/22/2006 $25.00  
cyndi 3/22/2006 $25.00 my thoughts are with you Joey-stay strong!!! 
Kim, John and Annie Spencer 3/22/2006 $100.00 For dear Joey -- we're thinking of you! 
Pler 3/22/2006 $50.00  
  Page 1 of 2     Latest  << | < | > | >>  Earliest  
* Total raised online: $7,150.00
Amount raised offline: $500.00
Grand Total: $7,650.00
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