Dexter, The Smiling Pit

There will be more of an update late today when I go pick Dexter up but this is where we are right now. .. His chest xray came back clear, no masses and no signs of an enlarged heart etc. His hip & leg xrays came back ok--he is showing some signs of hip dysplasia but no signs of torn acl's.. His spine xray shows from the middle of his spine down to his tail which is where most of the major nerve endingS are he has a very severe case of arthritis, ALL INFLAMMED around his spine and those nerves ( definitely caused from past trauma--perhaps being beat ---we will never know considering he has had such a hard life--and now he is paying for it with all the pain he is in, the scarring all over his body and how poorly he had been cared for when I rescued him from the shelter, very thin, softball sized salivary retention cyst etc )....I will get after pictures of the surgery procedure as well as a photo of where the arthritis is. I will also try to get a copy of the xray

This would explain the intense/unexplainable pain & cries when he tries to climb into my lap or certain movements. Sadly he cant do what he likes to do the most---get into the car by himself--I have to pick him up and even when I do that he cries ear piercing cries. He can no longer stand on his back legs and strecth up on me and greet me like he used too. ( He is the onyl one in the pack that got away with doing this ) The arthritis could be crippling down the road, how far down the road, can not be determined--much like a rheumatoid arthritis. He will need to remain on pain management & will also need rehabilitation therapy which would consist of massage, walking on an underwater treadmill & ultra sound equipment starting with a 6 wk program & we will try accupuncture. He will need an orthopedic bed which is about 4-5 inches thick & memory foam, not egg crate. If it come down to the point it is crippling I will work with handicapped pets etc and work on getting him his own set of wheels. IF the pain becomes too much for our Dexter Boy & he has no quality of life than I would need to do the best thing for him.....but he is a fighter & so am I... I will do ALL I can to help alleviate the pain and make sure he is taken care of & comfortable.

He will be on very limited activity which him & Smokey wont like since they love playing with each other.
Speaking of Smokey, Dexter remained in the hospital last night & Smokey is still looking all over for him, pacing and keeps going outside for him....Amazing how two such abused dogs can bond so quickly....
When I spoke to Dr Van Maele she was about to do the biopsies , she will be removing each and every growth in the process, all the ones on/in his ears, neck and the top of his head--which there are between 20-30 being removed but she will only send one in for biopsy--the worst discolored and largest one. I dont expect to have the results back from that for a few days as well as his blood work.

If anyone has an orthopedic bed they can donate for Dexter that would be great. The cost on them is about $180-$200.00 & will all the up coming vet care he will need, daily medications I just cant swing that amount right now. I have raised the chip in amount to assist with bedding and rehabilitation therapy.


So for now this is where we are with Dexter.....
Thank you all for your support. I only want the best for my boy and I know all his friends/fans do too...

Dexter on good days, no matter what--he always smiles!!

I took Dexter to the hospital due to growths forming on his ears, head & neck.. that were spreading quickly & growing over night ( literally ).

To rule out Canine Pappiloma Virus she suggested we start a heavy dose of antibiotics. The antibiotics have not worked so now we need to move forward with the next step; biopsies, blood panel etc.



These pictures below are of the growths on his left ear, neck area but he also has them on the top of his head & starting on his right ear.

Below is also the estimate to determine what the growths are.. This estimate does not include the xrays, possible spinal tap etc he will also need due to either 1) past trauma and abuse that arthritis has set into his spine or 2) it is something else that can not yet be determined. He is currently on pain management & supplements for this. He is having pain in his back, hips and rear legs ( to the point he will no longer jump up to greet me, climb on the couch with me or if it is barely touched he will cry )...He cries, I cry--it literally breaks my heart. I ONLY want the best for him.

I pulled Dexter out of East Valley in February 2010. He was extremely thin ( He is now a healthy 85 lbs, stocky and full of muscle!! ), sick, scars all over his body, a salivary retention cyst the size of a soft ball & his canine teeth cracked/broken all the way to the roots & I suspect he was used as a bait dog and also severely abused. Since that time I have had Dexter with me, not only has he bonded with my other three, but he reached into my heart & world and we bonded quickly. He was afraid of EVERYTHING & would cower. He had no idea what a toy was. Now he walks with his head held high, his tail up and full confidence. He now plays with toys ( even though he is older ) & even goes into the toy box now to grab the one he wants--before he would just look at it and be scared. Work, love and lots of TLC has made him into a spectacular dog. He truly is wonderful.

DEXTERS SHELTER PICTURE:



DEXTER AT ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER:



DEXTERS FIRST DAY AT MY HOME AFTER RELEASE FROM HOSPITAL:

Dexter is a sweet, gentle pit, beloved by many in the California rescue community. Plucked from utter despair on death row at an LA shelter, Dexter was nursed back to mental, emotional and physical health by Tyler, an amazing pit advocate, who then decided to adopt him. For almost a year, we have enjoyed updates on this dog, who has become a poster pup for defeated dogs everywhere, as he transformed from sadness and fear to complete love and joy! Dexter has been living a great life with Tyler and Tyler's 3 other rescued pitties who quickly bonded with this boy, giving him not only a new lease on life but also a great family.

Sadly, Dexter has some small but very fast growing lesions on his head and neck that need immediate attention. He is also suffering from limb damage and unexplained pain that need to be thoroughly investigated. Tyler is also dealing with the serious illness of an immediate family member and taking time off from work to care for her, so the universe right now is feeling a bit cruel.

Enter the DEXTER FAN CLUB!! We need to get Dexter to the vet quickly so his situation can be evaluated and treatment can begin. The longer he waits, the worse the prognosis. Although Dexter has been crying out in pain lately and cannot jump on the couch, he continues to smile his big pittie smile and give unconditional love to all who meet him.

This chip-in page is not made by Tyler (who has spent thousands on rescue dogs but did not want to ask for money). Instead, this page has been made by members of the animal rescue community who love Dexter, support Tyler's rescue work, and want this dog well again!

Vet bill for biopsies, exam, spinal tap, blood work, and tests is estimated between $850 and 1100. If everyone donates $10, $15 or any amount at all, we will raise this amount!

CAN YOU JOIN THE DEXTER FAN CLUB? Please click on the chip-in to the right to donate via paypal OR you may call in your donation via credit card to :
Animal Medical Center at 619-444-1166
For account of: Nasise/Dexter

OR MAIL TO:
Animal Medical Center
600 Broadway Ave
El Cajon, CA 92021
For account of: Nasise/Dexter