Help for Hoss

I just wanted to update everyone who has been so generous with how Hoss is doing.

Hoss got his stitches out last week, and no longer has to wear the "cone of shame." The doctors are amazed at how well he has recovered from this, and despite going through what he has, what a sweet dog he is. He still has more hair to grow back on the right side of his face, but it's getting there. He just looks like a lion with a big mane if you look at him on that side.

Hoss is already back to his crazy self, and the doctors feel they've removed the shrapnel that was in any way threatening. Unfortuantly he still has some throughout his face, but nothing that should cause a problem now, or in the future.

Thank you all so much for your generosity and kind words.

Rescued from a life on a chain and years of neglect and abuse, Hoss now has a family that loves him. Can you help them to save his life?

Ed and Heather adopted 3 year old Hoss a year ago from a rescue organization in PA who had had pulled him from a high kill shelter in Bowling Green, KY. Heather and Ed fell in love with Hoss immediately and Hoss, who had previously been timid of men, formed an immediate bond with Ed.

Hoss had been noticeably mistreated and abused. His teeth showed signs of extreme wear, and the veterinarian thought he had been left chained up to chew himself free; and his coat was as coarse as a horse mane, severely sun bleached like he had not had any protection from the elements. He had noticeable confidence issues, constantly keeping his head hung low with his ears back. Beneath all this, you could tell he was a lover just looking to win you over. By the end of the first week, he had offered his total trust and loyalty and in return he had gained Ed and Heather's unconditional love.

About 4 months after they adopted Hoss, he began to have excessive tearing from his right eye. Wiping it clean, they scheduled a visit to their local Veterinary office to have him checked out. Hoss was given topical treatments. A month later, while Heather and Ed were at work, he started to bleed from the same eye and as the blood traveled from his eye, and down his tear duct, it started to come out his nostril. This scared Hoss into a panic, and what Heather and Ed came home to was nothing short of a scene from a horror movie. Blood was everywhere, and something was seriously wrong with Hoss and off to the emergency vet they went.

Ed and Heather then scheduled an appointment with a specialist in Delaware. An animal ophthalmologist, the doctor cleared a blockage in Hoss' tear duct, putting a stint in place until it healed. It seemed that everything was going to be good from here on out, and with a clean bill of health Ed and Heather were thrilled Hoss was going to be ok.

And everything was ok until last Thursday when they noticed Hoss ' right eye had swelled up to the size of a ripe grape in a matter of minutes. Heather and Ed immediately scheduled another appointment with the animal ophthalmologist to see what he might suggest.

Their appointment was Tuesday, February 2nd, and upon examination the Doctor noticed what appeared to be buck-shot in his muzzle and ear, on his right side. Could it be that not only was poor Hoss tied to a tree and neglected but was also shot? Ed and Heather were horrified and left Hoss in the Vets care and were to pick him up at the end of the day, after x-rays and a minor surgery to remove possible foreign matter from the aggravated area. When Ed got the call from the Vet, he got startling news: at some point in Hoss' past, he was fired on by at least two guns. He had buck-shot shrapnel all over his body, and what appeared to be a fragmented bullet below his right eye.

Hoss was immediately scheduled for CT scan the following day and a team of specialists operated on him to remove the fragmented bullet and buckshot. The bigger bullet had actually started to oxidize while it was inside of him, so had they not gone through with the operation it could have caused major problems for Hoss.

Hoss spent the night at the vet to be monitored and was able to come home Friday, February 5th. Hoss was stitched back in about 4 different places on the right side of his face and was sent home with antibiotics and pain meds.

Ed and Heather are taking time off from work to ensure that Hoss has round the clock care while he recuperates. Heather and Ed had to act quickly and were unprepared for the large bill they have now obtained. They paid the $2,500 for the surgery and $600 for the consult and initial tests- but with money that was allocated for other things. Poor Hoss has been through a lot and Heather and Ed are completely committed to ensuring that Hoss spends many more years with the people that love him. However, they could use some help with this expense especially since there is evidence of shrapnel in other parts of Hoss' body. The vet does not feel that the shrapnel will cause a problem for Hoss in the future but they cannot be sure. There was another piece of buckshot they tried getting to that was near his salivary glands, but unfortunately they weren't able to extract it. The vet said it was too embedded in an area that was a bundle of nerves. The vet does not believe it will cause Hoss any problems in the future.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

This dog went from a neglected and abused life on a chain where he was apparently used for target practice, to a kill shelter, to a loving foster home, and is finally with a family who adores him. Heather and Ed know times are tough for everyone but every little bit helps. Might you be able to spare $10 to help?

Please share Hoss' story with your animal loving friends and family. Perhaps they may be willing to send a small donation to help with the vet expenses.