Definition of "Quarantine"

So today, I'm doing ringworm baths, moving recently infected cats out of the momma room and into the sick room, passing through the dog kennels between them. On my way through, I turn a corner just in time to see some blonde chick ducking under the rope with the huge white sign dangling from it that says "QUARANTINE: DO NOT APPROACH." Mind you, she's ducking under on her way BACK into the public dog kennels.

I stop dead. "You can't be back there!"
Her: oh really?
Me: Yeah, that's why it's blocked with a rope and sign.
Her. Oh, I didn't realize that meant I couldn't go look.
Me: Well, it sure doesn't mean "Duck the rope and come on in!" That German Shepherd back there could take your head off, but that's not the reason for the sign. Theres also a litter of sick puppies back there. We don't know what they have, or if it's contagious. So if you stepped in their germs, then walk all over the shelter, you are endangering every animal in here. Which is why that tray of bleach solution and irrigation boots are right there next to that rope.  So back right the heck up and step in that tray.  No, I don't care if it ruins your shoes.

Also today. Group of frat boys outside in our dog play area in their underwear and Santa hats taking pictures with the dogs. It was 20 degrees.

Woman on phone wanting to surrender her cat who hates other cats so bad that merely seeing another cat sends him into rages where he bites people. Didn't really think through the fact that he'd be in a cage surrounded by other cats, and being handled by the general public in that environment.

Idiotic people without the IQ required to operate doors. I think I walked past the kennel door ONCE where I didn't have to shut it. At one point, somebody let a dog out of his kennel, who then ran through the open door into the cat area, and started having a hay day. Other employee rounds up dog, goes back into kennels, yells "did somebody lose a DOG???" Person responsible didn't seem to recognize the fact that if you let a dog out of it's kennel, you should probably make an effort to chase it down. Or at least alert a staff member. Since that particular Lab/Akita mix isn't good with cats. Sorta wants to eat them, even.

Never have I been so happy to be stuck all afternoon in the sweltering laundry room doing lime-sulfur dips.

On the positive side, the American Eskimo who came in on deaths door is a whole different dog today. He grinned at me, walked outside on his own four legs, and ate treats and canned food off the fork. Amazing what 2 days worth of antibiotics and food will do for a sick dog. And shaving off all the feces matted fur around the back end too. Tuesday the vet was "cautiously optimistic" that he would survive.

Have I mentioned I hate people sometimes?

Edit: Sadly, the American Eskimo dog didn't survive after all. 

Tipper's Bladder

So we've got a dog at the shelter, been acting like she's had a UTI. Urine was... interesting colored... to say the least. Lots of blood and stuff, but no crystals. Put her on Baytril for two weeks with no improvement whatsoever. Time for x-rays.

And holy cow, it's no wonder the poor dog is peeing blood. And no antibiotic is gonna fix THIS:

So she goes in for surgery Wed to get that taken care of. For reference, this is a 113 pound dog. For those who don't know what you're looking at, those big white spots are stones in the bladder. That's one stone the size of an orange, one the size of a lemon, and a whole double fistfull of gravel sized stones.

Aston Continues

So last night at med-time, I discovered that ED's (Eyeball Dude) eye was protruding farther than ever before. Like seriously an inch out of his face. All scabbed over and nasty. So this morning I took him in, and it was decided that no, he really wasn't in great shape yet for surgery, but the way that thing was sticking outta there, he was going to swipe it right out himself. Vet says "ready for my diagnosis? That's yucky!"

So we knock him out, and the vet just grabs the thing between his fingers and pulls. We initially thought it was the whole thing, but turns out it was just the lens, cornea, iris, and misc. tissue. He had to dig around to clean the rest of the globe out. But it's all gone now, stitched up, and hopefully will heal nicely.

The other eye is actually doing a little recovery on it's own, and there's a chance he might keep that eye. Don't know how much vision he'll have though. Just have to wait and see.

Such a sweet little thing though. Purrs up a storm if you pet him, and comes to your voice if you talk to him. Which means, don't talk if his cage door is open, unless you are in a position to catch!

Edit: Eyeball Dude was eventually named Aston.  He grew up nice and healthy, but did eventually lose that second eye as well.  He and his "guide cat" sister were adopted together.

Aston in the Beginning

Note on front door at work upon arrival Tuesday morning: "I found this and don't know how to take care of it."

As for his overall well-being, he's not doing too bad. He's a super sweet little guy, loves to be talked to and pet. Wasn't real keen on having his ears cleaned today, but the herd of mites needed thinning. He doesn't seem to be in pain, or he's been in pain so long it no longer bothers him. So our hope is, after a week or so of antibiotics and good food, he'll be strong enough to undergo surgery to remove both his eyes. Yes, we've had an eyeless cat at the shelter before, yes she did fine in a community cat room, and yes she got adopted.

Also, this evening another little foundling came in, same age, same size, body type, condition, same HUGE ears full of mites, one small lesion on one eye, and a URI. We're assuming they are siblings, and put them in together. They love each other.

The Cathaus Becomes a Hundehütte

So we got in a dog right before Christmas, ready to pop pregnant. Guy was leaving town, and was just going to take the dog out in the woods and dump her if we didn't take her. This is her 4th or so litter, she's just an outside dog, always has pups about this time of year, out in the snow. Usually has 7-9 pups, about half die.

So a week later she has 9 pups (all black, doesn't it figure!) Yesterday, we have our vet look at her, as she seems awful bloated. Rads aren't clear, but all indications are pyometra. In for surgery she goes, and guess what... I'm the ONLY employee with a handy spare room with no carpet. So I pick her up after surgery, bring her and the 9 pups home. She's doing well enough considering, but today she's losing staples like mad. By late afternoon she has 3-4" opening in the skin. Sub-q stitches look great, but I'm not supposed to see them! Also, she's leaving trails of blood everywhere she walks.

As I'm trying to get a hold of the vet to arrange for new staples, work calls. Just got in a puppy. Owner/breeder was going to drown him because he was deaf, therefore not worth anything. So some random guy gives the breeder $20 just to get the puppy away from the guy so he can bring him to the shelter. Pup won't DIE if he's left in the shelter, of course, but would be much better off in a foster home! Especially with another small adult pit bull to play with! I sigh. "Fine, I've already got 11 dogs in my house, what's one more?"

Oh, and Shelby doesn't have pyometra, her bladder was just the size of a jug of milk. For whatever reason, she has no muscle tone. So she just kinda leaks all the time, though she did go potty and poop when we got back from the vet. Long term prognosis is totally up in the air for her.

(Edit: Shelby and all the pups did just fine, and were all adopted.)

Doggie Retirement Home

In other news, someone asked about surrendering a 15 year old dog to the shelter because they couldn't have it in their new house. What on earth makes people think someone's going to adopt a dog that old from the shelter? Or do they think we have a nice little doggie retirement home? No, a dog that old will live in a kennel for the rest of it's life, while we do our best to make it a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Then we have to put it to sleep. Do people truly not realize how this works, or do they simply not care?