On December 10 2014, tiny little Simba --  a 7 lb, 6 week old boy -- was confiscated by police during a series of drug raids in Kansas City.  Police took him to the Kansas City shelter, where we stepped up to foster him during his legal hold period.  Just two days later on December 12, his owners signed him over.  They reclaimed their 3 adult dogs but said "We don't want to bother with the puppy."  Little Simba was never loved, never cared for, never had a chance.

So he came to us, to a fantastic foster family, and immediately fell in love with the other dogs in the foster house.  He curled up and slept with a female GSD, who quickly stepped in to be his new mom.  He charmed everyone, both human and furry.

But the very next day he began to show odd symptoms.  First he slept a little more than usual.  Then he would wake up screaming.  Then he began to scream in pain when touched, and eventually when not even being touched.  He didn't want to move or walk.  When put on the grass to potty, he looked at his foster mom with pleading eyes as if to say, "don't make me walk".  Then he started leaning to one side.

We had done a body exam, very gently touching each area to determine where his pain was coming from.   He was fine when touched on his head, legs, ears, back, feet, or (most importantly) tummy.  The sensitive spot was his lower right jaw. 

We rushed him to the emergency vet, where they examined him and found a small lump in that area.  They aspirated the lump but found nothing abnormal under the microscope - and nothing to explain the screaming or pain.  They watched him walk and while he was clearly being careful, again there was nothing they were overly concerned about.

The vet gave him a cortisone shot, and sent him home with puppy pain killers and anti-biotics. 

But early the next morning his wonderful foster family found his mouth filled with blood, and his bed and pillow soaked with blood.  We rushed him back to the emergency vet, where he was lightly sedated for a complete exam of his mouth.  They discovered he was bleeding from multiple places in his mouth - but for no apparent reason. He also had a fever of 104 degrees.

His blood simply wasn't clotting, and the vet explained there could be several reasons: a clotting disorder, hemophilia, leukemia, rat poison, or an auto-immune disease.

Whatever the reason, Simba needed an immediate transfusion of both plasma and red blood.  We all felt it could well be rat poison, given his drug house origins, and decided to treat for that, which includes Vitamin K in addition to the tranfusions.  We were actually praying rat poison was the culprit, since that would mean it was a temporary condition and treatable problem.  But then we were told there are several types of rat poison, and we needed to pray it wasn't "Bromethalin".   So our prayers kept flying hard and fast.

Simba received several transfusions of plasma overnight, and his blood did begin to clot.  The pain largely abated, though he still has some pain. (The pain comes from blood seeping into his joints.)  As the vet says, we're (90% of the way there."   Fortunately the treatment seems to be working.  All in all, it does seem to be rat poison. 

The transfusions should last about 3 weeks, and he now needs to be closely watched during those three weeks for bruising or other signs that his clotting is failing again.  If his blood continues to clot normally after 3 weeks, he should be fine. 

However, we will still will need to do follow up blood work to be sure there is no damage to his liver or kidneys (which are easily damaged by both rat poison and the blood seepage).  

All in all, it does appear that this is in fact rat poisoning and not an ongoing condition such as hemophilia or leukemia.   We'll never know whether someone at the drug house fed it to him, he got into it himself, or a druggie thought it would be "funny" to force it down his throat.  We've taken drug house dogs before, and they're usually the victims of many terrible abuses.  We're just grateful Simba is safe with us and getting the care he needs!   

PLEASE KEEP SIMBA IN YOUR PRAYERS, AND CONSIDER DONATING TO HIS VET BILLS!
You can donate at mogsrescue.rescuegroups/info/Donate




DOGS:                           
CATS:    
KIDS:    
IDEAL FAMILY:  

If you're looking for a gorgeous puppy who's all German Shepherd
and needs your love and leadership,
Simba may be your guy!

SIMBA's ADOPTION FEE:   $350
This fee covers only part of what we spend to vet, board and rehab the dogs we save.  On average we spend over $450 on each dog.  We made a decision to keep our adoption fee at the 2005 level even though vet prices have doubled and tripled since then.  We are constantly fundraising to cover the deficit.  At minimum, your adoption fee includes the dog's spay/neuter, heartworm test, heartworm treatment if needed, rabies shot, distemper/parvo shot, bordatella shot, deworming, monthly heartworm and flea preventives, and microchip.  In many cases it also includes surgery and various types of vet treatment for standard issues such as hot spots, ear infections and so on.


INTERESTED IN ADOPTING SIMBA?
Complete an Adoption Application Now!

Good with Dogs, Good with Cats, Good with Kids

STOP!! READ THIS BEFORE YOU GO ANY FURTHER!

1. We're picky about our adopters. 
2. Are you sure you're up to having a GSD?  They're not for everyone.  They take a lot of time, effort, training.  They shed year round.  They're big.  They scare lots of people.  They "mouth" and herd.  They're usually strong-willed and stubborn.  You have to have references and a home visit.  If you're not willing or able to deal with any of this, please don't waste your time or ours applying.  
   
3. Will the dog be an inside family pet? We do not adopt to outdoor-only homes. All dogs must be indoor dogs.
4. Do you leave your dog outdoors when you're not home?   We do not adopt to homes that leave their animals outside when they're gone.  You must put your dogs indoors when you're gone.  A 3 yr old adopted MOGS dog died when the owners went to run errands, left her outdoors, the gate was somehow opened, and she was hit by a car.  Tragic and 100% preventable. Even privacy fences get broken into.  Gates are opened.  Thieves steal dogs. Never leave your dog outdoors when you're not home!!
   
5. What's your plan for unexpected events and major changes?  New baby? Divorce?  Moving?   How you will provide for your dog if your family breaks up? 
   
6. Will you make a lifetime commitment?  It's your responsibility to keep your dog safe, loved and cared for FOR LIFE.
7.  Do you understand we expect you to keep that lifetime commitment?  It's YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to stick by your family member -- no matter what.
8. Are you unable or unwilling to make a lifetime commitment? Do not apply.

 

Have Questions? Email us at mogsrescue@gmail.com

Thank you for considering a homeless dog or cat.