8/08 - Lilah has been adopted

5/9/07 - Well, clearly we are long past due in updating this girl. A lot has happened. Lila has been with us for almost nine months now, and has gone through a lot of medical tests. When she came to us, she was very skinny. She would not put any weight on her right hind leg, but was able to get around.  She also looked as if she recently had a litter of pups.
We took her to our vet for clearance for a spay and x-ray of her hind leg.  My vet felt that her leg was a result of an old injury or other problem that did not need immediate attention.  She did not want to put her under anesthesia twice, so the x-rays would wait until she could be spayed.  Blood tests were done to make sure that she could have the surgery.
Well that is where our problems started.  Her white blood count was very high, she was also anemic, and most disturbing and serious was her platelet count was very low. (she could have bled out if we had done surgery)  Surgery was definitely not an option.
She was put on several kinds of antibiotics with repeat blood tests being done every few weeks.  The counts still came back abnormal.  She had several other tests over the next few months, and nothing was found to be the problem. You could not tell that anything was wrong with this little girl, because she came out of her shell, her appetite was great, and she started showing quite an interest in several of the dogs.   My vet finally decided, after everything else was ruled out, that it must be autoimmune disease, and steroids were started.
After one week, repeat blood tests were almost normal.  The treatment for autoimmune disease is to be on steroids for 3 months (a low dose). After 3 weeks, Lila's blood test was within normal limits.  She also was putting weight on her right hind leg.  She still had a limp but was walking better.  After the 3 month treatment was completed, Lila's blood tests were all within normal limits, and a spay and x-ray of her hind leg was scheduled.  Three days before her appointment, she went into heat.:o(( Darn!!  My vet is pretty conservative, and does not do spays until a dog is 3 months post heat cycle.  So now little Lila had to wait another 3 months.
Over the next three months, little Lila got a little heavy, and also very playful with all the dogs (at times there were up to 15 other dogs with her).  She does not like a dog near her when she is chewing on a chew stick, bone, cow hoof, etc.  She gives a warning growl, and the dogs usually back off. If not, she will lung at them and give a nip as additional warning that she does not share well.
Lila was spayed on April 24th and had x-rays done of her spine, hips, and legs
The x-rays showed degenerative hip dysphasia.  Her right knee is not in place, and the meniscus (cartilage found in the knee -sort of like a cushion between bones) is not there.
The limping is probably due to the knee being out of place and the missing meniscus.
Putting the knee back in place, would not stop the limping.  Our vet feels the limping is caused by the missing meniscus, and there is no surgical procedure to correct that. 
She feels that Lila has a good chance of developing arthritis as she ages.  She feels, that Lila is not in any pain now, and I have to agree.  She gets around beautifully, she will even run with the other dogs, she just limps a bit
Lila will need a home with a yard, as taking her for long walks to do her business will not be an option. Because of her toy and treat aggression, she will have to be placed in a home with children over 10 years of age. Lila has a lot of love to give, and loves to have her belly rubbed for as long as you are willing to do it. If you pick her up and sit her up in your lap and rub her belly, she will stay there till you put her down. She is not much of a kisser, she has really rationed them out over her long stay her.
Lilah is a pleasure to have around. You can't help but smile when you look at that face....what a MUG...like they say, a face only a mother can love!! The only think that i can say negative about this girl is when her meal is being prepared (along with the other 10+ dogs), when bringing out all the bowls to the crates and food stands, she will bark and bark till she gets her meal. She then proceeds to inhale the meal, always the 1st one done, then waits for her crate to be opened so she can go outside to do her business.
She is also completely house trained.  Lila deserves a family that will treat her like a queen.  This little cutie had such a rough start to her life, that her perfect forever home should be one filled with people that will give her all the love and attention that she needs. Do you see that being you??