Cricket – on the road to health!

Cricket was surrendered because her family was no longer able to care for her. She is an extremely overweight, 30-pound, mini poodle who has diabetes. Her weight issues have caused tremendous stress on her body. Between the diabetes and frequent urinary infections, coupled with neck and back pain, she was constantly being taken to the vet for antibiotics and pain medication. As a result, she’s now immune to most antibiotics.

When Cricket first came to her foster home, almost two weeks ago, she was lethargic and cautious, preferring to sit under a chair and watch the comings and goings of the house. She was whisked to the groomer for a bath and trim – her hair smelled of cigarette smoke and she required two baths to rid herself of the odor. Once fluffed and clean, she went to the vet. She was not using her front leg and it was determined that she must have previously injured some disks in her neck. Since her kidney levels were slightly elevated, she was not given any pain medication so we had to limit her activity – which wasn’t hard given her lack of energy and weight.

However, Cricket’s path has taken a turn for the better since joining the Poodle Rescue of New England Health Care Plan. Cricket now enjoys healthy meals, following the healthy guidelines for distinguished poodles. Her insulin is regulated now and since coming into foster care, her required, twice-daily doses are lower, as a result of good food and limited exercise. Cricket came with a list of things she was given to eat since she was a picky eater – maple syrup, alfredo sauce, spaghetti and hot dogs. While all these things are tasty treats for humans, they are not beneficial to Cricket – or any other poodle, especially one who’s a diabetic. Within a day, Cricket was, and continues, enjoying good, healthy dog food and crunchy treats after her shots. She and Fifi (see our Rescue Me page for Fifi's story) are in the same foster home so they get their shots at the same time. Both are excellent patients!

We know Cricket was loved – she has the sweetest disposition and just adores people. However, her situation wasn’t good for her and she finds herself in foster care now. Cricket has a very long way to go before we begin to search for a perfect home for her. She has a follow-up vet appointment on Monday, June 29th where she’ll be tested for Thyroid and possibly Cushing’s Disease. Due to her fragile state when she first came in, they weren’t able to test her at that time.

Please consider making an ANGEL DONATION so that we can continue to help Cricket on her journey (please indicate that you'd like to be an Angel to Cricket). We know she’s worth it, just look into her eyes!

To be continued…...........

Thank you for being an ANGEL to Cricket:

Alice O'Connor