pamela cortese, Author at Dogue De Bordeaux

Callista

In Late July Callista was found as a stray she had a ulcerated skin mass on her back. She had the mass removed and the pathology report stated she had a benign neoplasms (abnormal growth of tissue). At her shelter intake she weighed 73 pounds and was thought to be six years old.

In mid- August Callista began living with a DDB Rescue volunteer. Callista is loving and fun. She likes to snuggle, get belly rubs, sniff everything in sight, and stand under the hose on a hot day.

The last week of September Callista was showing symptoms of a UTI but it was found she had an inflamed colon and was diagnosed with allergy colitis and is now on a very limited diet and taking a probiotic. She also has an ear infection and inflammation on her feet. A short time later things were not going well and she went back to the vet. An ultrasound found she has thickening of her bladder wall and two growths.

Callista was treated with Mitoxantrone Chemotherapy for Transitional Cell Carcinoma. Her UTI symptoms have gone away and an ultrasound in late October shows the growths are shrinking. The Oncologist treating Callie believes she can have another year of a good quality of life.

Callista is a very happy girl. She loves car rides and interacting with people.

Sadly just days after our last update Callie began having seizures and passed away. Callie was very much loved by her foster family and she will be greatly missed.

Ozzy

Two year old Ozzie came into rescue when his owner could no longer care for him. He had several health issues and the kindest thing to do was put him to sleep. We

Jake & Jeannie

Jake, Jeannie and one of their female pups were surrendered in April of 2019. The group was living in the back yard and sleeping on an old sofa. They were used for breeding and produced several litters of puppies. Neither adult had seen a vet in several years, at intake Jake had a cherry eye. The owner stated he had it for four years. The female pup was adopted.

They are both “fun size”, Jake weighs 87 pounds and Jeannie weighs 80 pounds. Jake and Jeannie are very affectionate, sweet dogs. Jake loves to be outdoors. Jeanne is always by her foster mom’s side.

In late July of 2023 Jeannie was diagnosed with a heart condition. She passed away three weeks later. Jake passed away in mid September of 2023.

Cupcake

On April 14, 2023 Cupcake, a long term Fospice/Special Needs girl passed away. Here is the note from her family.

Today was a hard day I have been dreading for weeks. We had to let Cupcake “Mama” go. She has been declining a lot over these weeks and her pain was becoming very noticeable despite all the pain meds. We got her in April of 2020 as a nine year old that had been bred for what seemed like her whole life. Never would I have ever expected to have had her three years later two months away from 13. Incredible for a mastiff. She touched our hearts so quickly when she came it was like she belonged here all along. She lived these three years in retirement as she should have doing whatever she wanted getting special treats and sleeping the days away beside her beloved hooch. I’m so grateful to have been able to give her those years and to be the receiver of her love and sassiness. RIP Mama.

Dogue de Bordeaux Rescue is so thankful to Cupcakes family for giving her such a wonderful, loving home.

Rest in peace Cupcake.

Pearl

With great sadness we share Pearl has passed away. Our condolences to her foster family who opened their home and hearts to her. Pearl followed her foster mom everywhere in the house.

Recently Pearl was diagnosed with kidney disease and then liver cancer. Pearl also had Masticatory muscle myositis an inflammatory disease in dogs affecting the muscles of mastication (chewing). At intake she had very limited mobility, approximately one inch, in her jaw making it very difficult to eat and drink. Pearl’s jaw did improve with treatment, she was able to open her jaw about two inches. You may notice the odd shape of her head, that is part of the disease.

A terrible infection developed on Pearl’s front legs. Her immune system had been weakened from the medication she took to treat her masticatory muscle myositis.

Her legs required laser treatment and wound flushing, then a surgery to reattach some muscles, skin, and to close some internal pockets that have been created. As time went on Pearls was losing mobility in her jaw. We feared an ongoing cycle of medication and improvement to be followed by other issues due to the medication.

Mac

Mac was my best friend, and we did everything together. It was rare that he was not by my side. I am thankful Mac spent the last six years of his life knowing what true love was. Mac was a one-in-a-million Dogue and I will never forget him.

A Macmorial was made to Dogue de Bordeaux Rescue in Mac’s name to help Dogue de Bordeaux in need find love and a forever home.

Robin

With the utmost sorrow we share Robin passed away. Robin had several seizures and didn’t recover. He most likely had a brain tumor or a neurological issue.

Robin was only with us a few weeks, he was very shut down but we hope he knew he was loved.

His foster mom has our sympathy.

Dogue de Bordeaux Rescue did everything we can do to make his life better.

Robin came to us from a southern shelter. Estimated age is seven years. He was very shut down. No tail wags or any sign of being happy. He kind of drifted around his fosters house and tried to avoid everyone. It took weeks for him to allow his foster family to pet him. It was heartbreaking, we can’t imagine what he has been through

He tested extremely high heart worm positive.

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Sonny

Sonny’s Story

March 24,2022

Sonny, a nine-month-old has a diagnosis of meningeal fibrosis. In non-medical speak, it means the subarachnoid space (where the spinal fluid is) near the C2 vertebrae is being pinched off and causing his neurological issues. He has a somewhat guarded prognosis, with it being rare and the success rate of surgery being risky and unknown. there is also a possibility of reoccurrence later in life.

For now, we have him on steroids for 10 days and then a recheck to assess if he will be a candidate for surgery. His neurologist also did a scan of his brain and found that his lobes were enlarged but not abnormal – she said this likely is what makes him so sweet and a little slower than most, bless his heart.

For the time being we are going to continue smothering him with love and good days, and we’ll see what happens later on. One day at a time.

April 12,2022

Sonny’s Treatment Plan

After meeting with the neurologist and reviewing his MRI results, he was diagnosed with meningeal fibrosis. Essentially fibrous tissue is growing around the spinal chord in the C2 vertebrae. Ultimately, this will result in full paralysis. He has two options that we had been debating heavily over the past few weeks.

Option 1: We continue with steroids to reduce inflammation while his muscles atrophy, and he may have 6-12 months before he is fully paralyzed.

Option 2: Spinal surgery to remove the fibrous tissue. It may or may not increase his mobility, but could buy him a few years before the tissue regrows and causes paralysis.

This was a tough call as we never want to put any animal through unnecessary stress or pain, and we juggled quality of life, his young age, etc, and ultimately decided that given his age and drive, and that he would likely be in less pain post-surgery than he is currently, surgery is the best option for him at this time. We hope this will give him many years to live life to the fullest!

And so, this begins a new chapter of Sonny’s care where he transitions from foster to hospice care. He will live out his life with his foster family.

Surgery is scheduled for the April 25th and we’ll be sure to keep you updated with Sonny’s progress pre and post surgery. We are anxious, nervous, and excited that we can give him this opportunity. Thank you all for continuing to love on him and sending him healing vibes!