Faith #3 Black Labrador Retriever Female 3 Months Old ID#3132

Meet Faith, a three-month-old puppy who joined Brookline when her breeder surrendered her to Brookline.  She was returned to a breeder due to some weakness in her hindquarters which is causing problems with her gait. Please read her blog from the bottom up.

February 18, 2023

We received wonderful news yesterday that Faith’s test results (blood culture, Brucella and urine culture) were all negative. We were advised the plan is keep her on Clavamox. She will be seen by Dr. Wood on March 2 for a recheck to monitor her progress.

February 12, 2023

Hello everyone. Faith checking in here to let everyone know that I am starting to feel much better now that they found I had this thing called an infection in me. FM and FD give me my meds and I don’t mind them as I get some yummy pumpkin with my food to help me take my pills.I feel so much better that I am starting to be myself again(puppy energy). I enjoy playing with my foster brothers and sisters. I don’t like now that now that I feel better, FM and Dad have to put me on a leash to go outside as all I want to do is run but they say it is best for me not to. It is making me learn how to walk on one though for whoever wants to make me theirs forever.I also have enjoyed laying on my back which I didn’t do before they started me on the road to recovery. I also really enjoy my foster sister, Jenny. She was from Brookline and has whispered in my ear to be patient that a forever family will adopt me in the future just like her. I can’t wait to find out who that will be because I hope it’s somewhere like this – I feel right at home here.
Well it’s time for a mid-morning nap so I will check in soon.

February 10, 2023

Faith was seen by Dr. Wood at Bush Veterinary Neurology Service in Leesburg, Virginia yesterday, February 9. She was such a little trooper during the entire encounter which lasted almost 7 hours. Of course, everyone was fawning over her. She had a neurologic examination followed by an MRI. Dr. Wood discovered from the MRI that she has discospondylitis which is a bacterial infection in her intervertebral disks between L7 and S1 causing disc protrusion. She said the infection would have originated from somewhere else in her body.We do not yet have the results of the cultures taken. It was such a huge relief to know her condition is probably treatable; Dr. Wood believes Faith should be able to lead a normal life. She is now on Clavamox (which could change based on the results of the cultures), Gabapentin and Carprofen. She will be seen by Dr. Wood on March 2 for a recheck to monitor her progress.Dave said this morning that they now have a puppy. It is amazing the difference the medications have made so far.

February 3, 2023

Faith’s foster parents say she is the most precious little girl. She has such a laid-back personality. She is able to enjoy spending time walking and doing some trotting in their large, fenced yard. When she goes inside, she will take a nap.Faith loves the other dogs in her foster home particularly Jenny, their resident black Labrador Retriever. We wonder when Faith looks at Jenny that she may be thinking she looks just like me but just a lot bigger. Faith recently tested negative for neospora. This is good news that we were able to rule out this condition. She has an appointment on February 9 with a neurologist. We are hopeful that she will be able to give us some answers about Faith’s diagnosis and prognosis.