American Field Bred Pointers and English Setter adoptions in the Midwest
The dogs and puppies listed below are either in foster care or in shelters across the Midwest. MANY are in danger of being put to sleep because the shelters are over-crowded and the dogs have limited time. If you are interested in adopting one of these URGENT dogs or puppies- please contact the shelter directly with the contact information provided. While we have limited foster homes- we feel that it is our obligation to list as many dogs for help as we can.
Illinois Birddog Rescue's extra patient training techniques show over and over that kindness and praise can reverse the damage done by cruelty and painful training methods. We are so proud of these magnificent resilient dogs.
So far Momma and babies are doing well, however tick panel shows Fannie Mae has Rocky Mountain spotted fever and giardia. We are consulting with our vet to make sure she gets the best care to overcome these illnesses. We do welcome any donations to offset her care.
Our 9th year of operations posed more fundraising challenges as the sick, injured, neglected and abused dogs and puppies came in one after the other. As we scrambled to find funding to help our current population of dogs and puppies in foster care, we were blessed with new enthusiastic help. Our tick borne illness diagnosis, treatment and research also continued as more and more dogs and puppies came into our care infected with Lyme disease, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma and Rocky Mountain spotted fever or the combination of two or three. At this point, when we don't get a positive serology for a tick borne illness--we are still suspicious. We tested 78 dogs in 2009 and 61 were positive (that's 78% or 8 out of 10) and we suspected a few more with odd behaviors had a false negative and we treated anyways. As most of our heartworm positive dogs also had tick borne coinfections, that posed more challenges for us to help these dog recover and find new forever homes. Sadly the hardest issues were our sweet girls with mammary cancer. Our vets only give these dogs a 50/50 chance of surviving beyond 18 months post surgery, but we feel that is a worth the extra time and expense to let these girls learn about how it is to be loved and cared for. If only they had been spayed...
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Poor Sweet Duckie (sleeping setter) is now in hospice care. She came to us in February of 2009 after her back leg had been amputated. Upon arrival she was diagnosed with Heartworm disease, Lyme disease, Ehrlichia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. She also has mammary cancer. After 11 months in foster care and with ongoing treatment, she is heartworm and Lyme negative but she still has chronic Ehrlichia and RMSF. She was too anemic to do any surgery until recently and during her spay it was discovered she needed her spleen removed because of a tumor. This is so sad and the doctor has given her 10 months to live. We are hopeful she will outlive his prognosis.
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Ophelia had a partial mastectomy on Monday, November 23rd to remove some tumors in her mammary glands. In other words--breast cancer for dogs. Her chest X-rays are clear so we are hopeful that if this is cancer--we have caught it in time. As these tumors are hormone related, had she been spayed, Ophelia would not have had to go through this grueling procedure. She has recovered beautifully from part 1 of her surgery and will be having the rest of her mammaries (with suspicious tumors) removed in early February. Before we attempted this procedure, Ophelia needed to be treated for months for two tick borne illnesses--Ehrlichia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. If only someone had taken good care of her--she would not have suffered so. Ophelia is a very special girl and the fourth birddog who has come to IBR with special needs due to neglect. Please consider a donation to off set some of her vetting expenses.
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In early December we heard about two Pointers in Oklahoma that were nearing their euthanasia date. Sasparilla aka Sassy is our newest pretty petite Orange and White gal that sadly has mammary cancer. She just seems way to young to have this life threatening issue and it is a shame she wasn't spayed when she was younger. Sadly, blood work shows she is also fighting Lyme disease. We can't even consider any type of surgery until she overcomes that illness and currently her foster mom is trying to fatten her up as she is about 5 pounds underweight. As Lyme disease can affect the liver and kidneys among other things, it is often difficult for us to help these dogs gain weight as there is an enzyme deficiency related to the struggling liver. Typically a full mastectomy can run from $600 to $1,000, often much more if there are complications. We weren't prepared to take on another dog with serious surgical needs as we are already so deep in the hole from Duckie and Ophelia's procedures. Please consider a donation to IBR to help us get Sassy the care she needs.
Here is a video that shows the nasty tumor on Sassy's abdomen. Folks wonder why we insist on spaying and neutering. Besides helping control the pet over population--it is also to prevent hormone related cancer. Now with her Lyme disease diagnosis--we have to wonder if there is a link as most of the dogs we bring in with mammary cancer DO have an underlying tick borne illness.
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Ollie is a handsome 7-8 year old Black and White American Field Bred stray Setter who was running out of time in an over-crowded shelter in Russellville, KY. Sadly, blood work shows he has heartworm disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF). I do think that Ollie has an extremely bad heartworm infestation as he struggles to breathe and his gums are so very pale--most likely due to the lack of oxygen to his lungs from his heart. He could also be very anemic. As he is also struggling with Kennel Cough--the last thing he needs is an upper respiratory infection.
I haven't been this worried about treating an older dog in a long time. If we are not cautious--Ollie could die. At this time we are pre-treating him with doxycycline for the Wolbachia issue and also for the Kennel Cough and RMSF. He will need to be on doxy for up to 2 months ever after he is heartworm negative as our research shows that the RMSF infection is very difficult to fight in an older dog with a very compromised immune system.
From the shelter volunteer that contacted IBR about Ollie, "I am glad to hear he is doing well. He is such a sweet dog and had no options until you spoke up for him. It broke my heart to think he would just die here. You have a very kind heart and don`t just care about the young and beautiful.. he is beautiful though!" Think happy thoughts that Ollie makes a full recovery - he deserves to have a loving home. If all goes well--Ollie will be available for adoption in May if not sooner. We would appreciate any help for his vetting expenses as his treatment could run close to $600.
Here is some recent video of Ollie and a steam bath to try and help him with the terrible congestion in his lungs from the Heartworm disease complicated by Kennel Cough. I am trying very hard to help him get over this as I worry that it may advance to pnemonia.
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Mandilyn is a beautiful Black and White American Field Bred English Pointer that was in danger of being put to sleep in an overcrowded shelter in Southern Illinois. A wonderful rescuer pulled her to safety and gave her a safe place to stay while she had her puppies on November 21st. On December 12th, Mandi with girls in tow, were flown via Pilots and Paws to Ohio for permanent foster care. Sadly, Mandilyn has Heartworm disease and had a huge tapeworm that caused her to be dehydrated all the time while nursing her girls Harmonica, Tamborine and Clarinette. Now that the girls are weaned, Mandi finally was able to get the medication to get rid of her intestinal parasite and she is also starting her pre-heartworm regimine of Heartgard plus to start killing the Heartworm larve and also doxycycline to help with the Wolbachia bacterium. Mandi's prognosis is good but she has several long months of recovery ahead of her once the heartworm treatment begins. Please consider a donation to offset Mandi's medical expenses.
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Rory is a sweet Black and White Setter that came into the rescue 5 years ago. Back then we didn't know about most tick borne illnesses--especially Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF). Rory seemed healthy enough and was treated for mange and then adopted to a nice retired fireman in Wisconsin.
In the fall of 2009, Rory needed to be returned to IBR when his Daddy had a stroke. Sadly at that time we were told Rory had allergies and the vet had him on prednisone the whole time. Not good. Knowing what we know now--we immediately had Rory tested and sure enough he had a low antibody level for RMSF. So we started treating him with antibiotics for that while weaning him off the steroids. Rory had a complete meltdown and developed skin issues and scratched most of his hair off. Then his foster home had him on some dog food that made him much worse.
Finally I got my hands on him and took what I learned about Bogie--another Setter with Allergy/RMSF complications and after 2 weeks of better food, antibacterial/ antimicrobial Chlorhexidine washes to help with the skin infections, adding Digest Gold to help with his Leaky Gutt Syndrome and a treatment of Revolution in case he had his mange back--Rory is doing AMAZING!!
Rory is probably close to 10 years old and his chances for adoption are remote at best. He has some eye changes and has a cataract forming in his right eye--poor baby. We do adore him as he is so sweet and his foster mom is committed to keeping him if he can't find a new forever home. We do need donations to help off set his medical bills and to help with his Wellness Lamb and Sweet Potato moist dog food.
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Brandon is a gorgeous Orange and White American Field Bred stray Setter who was hit by a car in central Illinois and brought into foster care in November of 2009. His injuries consisted of a dislocated hip and some road rash. Further blood testing showed he has heartworm disease. As we pre-treat all heartworm dogs with doxycycline for the Wolbachia bacteria associated with adult heartworms, we figured if there was a tick borne illness coinfection-- we were covered. As it turns out, Brandon was diagnosed with Lyme disease on 1-12 from an IDEXX Serology test (4DX Snap was neg for Lyme) and he will need to be on antibiotics for up to two months after a negative heartworm test.
Brandon is a big boy weighing in at about 60lbs. He has some muscle atrophy and some soreness in his back end due to the injuries he received from the car accident. Once he recovers from his heartworm disease, he will need underwater treadmill or swimming therapy to help him get over his injuries. That and some good chiropractic care.
Brandon is interested in chasing and barking at tweetie birds and will need a lot of work before he shows any real hunting potential. Lyme disease alone will affect his scenting abilities but we know that once he starts to lock up on tweeties instead of chasing them--that his brain is healing.
We estimate the costs to help Brandon become fully adoptable will run over $1500. We would appreciate any help for his vetting and therapy costs.
Brandon recovering nicely from his recent heartworm treatment. The English slip leads can be found for sale in our Go Shopping section.
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Thanks to IBR volunteer Carola Clark and some very photogenic adopted English Setters, Pointers, puppies and Mutts and their friends we will have a record 7 new 2010 Calendar designs to choose from. Shop for other fun birddog items such as greeting cards, mugs, mousepads, clothing and more at Cafe Press. All of these unique items feature Illinois Birddog Rescue alumni and friends. Proceeds from the sales will go towards treating sick and injured birddogs. What a great way to get cool stuff and help the dogs! Check out our new Team Work Poster featuring adopted Pointers Rusty and Oliver. New inspirational posters will be coming soon!! |
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Where: 29 E Main St, Roselle, IL 60172-2076 When: February 7th, 12 to 5pm. Call Kathy for available appointments at(630) 529-9663
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In home foster care takes a lot of time, dedication and sacrifice. Most of the volunteers who have helped the past 9 years have had to deal with dogs and puppies with diarrhea due to intestinal parasites like coccidia and giardia, many have helped very sick dogs with Heartworm disease, kennel cough, pneumonia, and other issues like demodectic or contagious sarcoptic mange, besides ear mites, fleas, ticks, tick borne illnesses, allergy issues, fungus due to ringworm, broken legs (Spartykiss), and post surgery care from major mastectomies--Lucy, (some graphic photos) and GiGi and tumor removals. Many who dove into foster care with almost no experience, got a crash course in the horrors of how cruel and unkind human beings can be to helpless animals as we have seen the worst of the worst. With their help- however- so many dogs have overcome many extreme health and behavior issues. To date, IBR has only had to euthanize 13 dogs due to health or biting aggression. Due to our research into Rage aggression from underlying tick borne illnesses like Lyme disease, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever- many more that came close to being put to sleep are now happy healthy and in their forever homes. Please read our Ticked Off! section to learn about this very important health crisis affecting our pets.
To those caring individuals who helped hospice Rommie, Mitch, Doreen, Mr. Darcy, Wally, Maggie Mae, Skippy, Dorothy, and Sir Elton-- those who championed their care until it was time for their suffering to end and let them go with kindness, compassion and dignity to the Rainbow Bridge- we/I will be forever greatful. Always. I share your grief and cried with you when the decision was made to let them go.
Special thanks go out to our foster home nurseries. In 9 years we have brought in or whelped 9 puppy litters starting with Princess Nala, and the Disney litter which involved an emergency Cesarian section and round the clock bottle feeding of the puppies. Thank goodness we had no complications with The Brady Bunch litter, Ashley and her Greek god and goddess Pointer/GSP mix pup litter. Additional litters that followed were Adeline (who broke with Parvo a few weeks in foster care) and her Setter mix pups, Josie and the Pussycat litter, Shirley and the Partridge kids, the Von Trapp litter, Suzee and the Pooh puppy litter, Dixie surrogate momma for the Ratatouille litter, and this year, Penne and the Pastas from Oklahoma. Puppies are A LOT of work but worth every poopie paw!!
 Adeline and her babies. |
 Shirley and the Partridge kids. |
Some days I don't know how we are going to pay one bill much less the thousands we owe because we try our best to give these dogs and puppies the best quality of care possible. My four year old Saturn has over 100,000 miles on it now due to all the driving I do to and from the vet, driving all over the Midwest to save dogs about to be euthanized in over crowded shelters and lastly to and from safe fenced in dog parks and off leash areas so that my foster dogs can get out and stretch their legs and train on upland birds if we have the opportunity. It's been a long journey--but I do think the sacrifice has been worth it. I know we have placed many of our dogs in wonderful homes with great families. The best way to learn compassion is by growing up and caring for a pet. I sure hope the work we have done through this rescue will help some kids become better caring responsible adults who will carry on with the dog rescue torch when I retire someday.
Lisa Spakowski, IBR Founder and President and Social Director of Camp Lucky Pets
Take a look at our recent newsletter. Highlights include news about Abe's first Hunt Test qualifier!! WOO HOO!
We also have more information on our very important Tick Panel research including the frightening data on the frequency of incoming infected dogs and puppies and also our latest colaboration with North Carolina State University's Vector Borne research lab.
View the new Powerpoint slideshow showcasing our rescue
legacy from the past nine years.
**You must have Powerpoint to view the slideshow. Each slide will advance
on its own. This is a large file and may take time to download.**
There are lots of birddogs in need of a warm couch to snuggle on! Please consider opening your home to help out a homeless birddog!
Paul, very devoted foster dad, snuggles with his doggie crew, including his former foster pointer Lucia, sandwiched in the middle!
Illinois Birddog Rescue is looking to recruit a few more foster homes! Fostering a homeless birddog is a very rewarding experience. If anyone is interested in opening up their home to dog in need, please fill out our online foster home application. Email Lisa for more information.
Check out our Foster Home Informational Document and our Foster Home Blog.
Illinois Birddog Rescue wants to make sure all of our adoptable dogs stay healthy throughout flea and tick season. We welcome donations of Frontline, Heartguard, or any similar product. Email Lisa if you would like to help.
If you are interested in adopting a pet from our rescue, please fill out an online adoption application.
We do require homes with fenced in yards and non-smoking homes. Our priority is finding loving pet homes first, but if we are able to test our birdier dogs for their hunting abilities, we will place our dogs in pet/hunting homes. ALL DOGS MUST LIVE INDOORS.
Illinois Birddog Rescue
Phone: 630-694-1359
Email:
Lisa@luckypets.net