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May 10th 2005
I am sad to inform everyone that Odie has recently been having some health problems. It all started in December with a case of what the vet called "kennel cough". We were all very sad at Christmas when we were told to not have Odie doing too many "I love you's" because he might have a sore throat.
Odie's cough went away after a couple weeks of being on antibiotics, only to return a month later. Since then, Odie has had two seizures and the cough returns again and again after the antibiotics wear off.
Odie is scheduled to have blood tests and x-rays done in the next month. It seems that pugs are prone to many diseases. The tests are pretty expensive and I would just like to ask anyone that if they are thinking of buying anything from Odie's store - now is the time.
I will keep the site updated on the results of his tests, everyone keep your fingers crossed that it is not anything serious. Thanks to everyone for their support. It makes us very happy that Odie can bring people so much happiness with his heart felt words!
May 12th 2005
Special Thanks To Andrea Wishnow for her purchase!!! THANK YOU!
(I don't get any contact info about the people that buy stuff from Odie's store, I only know a name)
Odie had his appointment at the vet today. They did the blood work, and x-rays. We should have the results by Saturday. They had to shave his little arm to do the blood work. We feel bad for him, but he is a trooper. Even after all of that he was barking and making strange noises at all the other dogs, including a pit bull, rottweiler, and lab/great dane mix! He has no idea that those dogs could eat him for breakfast! There was also a rottweiler puppy there who was pretty freaked out by the noises Odie was making!
I will keep you all updated!
May 14th 2005
We talked to the vet today about Odie's blood work and x-rays. The x-ray showed two things. 1) Odie has an enlarged heart, this is not good but I find it ironic being that he is a pug that says "I love you". The enlarged heart can cause congestive heart failure and could be contributing to his coughing. 2) Odie's trachea is slightly narrowed which is normal for pugs. The vet does not think surgery is necessary at this time. The blood work had two bizarre findings. 1) Odie's sugar level was 9, and normal is 100. This is not possible because Odie would be dead. So there is something wrong and they are going to have to do the blood work again. 2) Odie's kidney function level was 26 and normal is 6-25. So they are going to re-test that also. You can make your own judgment about how good/bad the news is. I will keep you updated.
May 24th 2005
My mom took Odie back to the vet a couple days ago to redo the blood tests. They both came back normal. So now the vet is thinking that it is all allergies. But I am not sure if I agree because Odie has had this since December. Who Knows. Odie is okay though so that is VERY good. Hopefully nothing new will develop and the cough will go away.
Thank you all so much for your support!!
July 2nd 2005
Odie has been off his medication for a couple weeks and the cough came back. Last Wednesday night he woke me up at 5am having a coughing fit. So he is going back to the vet this coming week. I am really thinking this is going to be congestive heart failure, but I will keep you all updated!
Special thanks to everyone who has bought things from Odie's shop. All the money is going straight to his vet bills. Thanks - Bette Lawton, Hollie Hallman, Heidi Thompson, Casey Sendek, Katheen D'Elia, Tiffany Britton, and Elizabeth Fuentes for your recent purchases!
July 18th 2005
On July 7th, Odie was put on Lasix to see if this was congestive heart failure (CHF). The vet felt that we would see a difference within one week if Odie did have CHF. Odie did not respond to the Lasix at all, in fact the cough became MUCH worse. For two nights straight Odie was coughing every two minutes, it actually sounded like a goose honk.
The next day my mom called the vet again to let him know that the Lasix was not helping. The vet suggested that it was time for Odie to see a specialist and gave Odie another prescription for Temerial-P until we have our appointment with the specialist on August 2nd. They have estimated the cost to be anywhere between $900-$1300. We are really not sure what course of action the specialist wants to take, but after reviewing Odie's files this is the estimate that he gave us.
I recently received an email asking if there was a way to donate money and help pay for Odie's vet bills. I am adding a button to the site so that anyone who wants to can donate money directly through paypal. It also helps to purchase the Odie merchandise at cafepress.com, but please remember that we only get $1.00-$3.00 from each item purchased.We really would like to thank everyone again for your emails, support, and prayers. Odie really is special, the response we get everyday from fans is amazing, and we want Odie to bring a smile to everyone's face! :)
August 5th 2005
Odie went to the specialist last Tuesday. The most likely diagnosis is either chronic bronchitis or tracheal collapse. He is taking two new medications right now, Terbutaline (to dilate his airways) and Hydrocodone (for the cough). If neither of these medications suppress the cough then we will be going back for them to do a "BAL - lung wash and a bronchoscope". Hopefully it will not come to that. I will up date you all soon. And Thank You all who have supported Odie with your GENERIOUS donations!
August 31st 2005
Odie responded well to the new medications that he was put on by the specialist, but they were not medications that Odie could be on for an extended period of time. So for the last 12 days Odie has been taking a VERY low dose of steroids, and they are working very well. He will probably continue to take them for the rest of his life. Again, thank you very much to everyone who donated! We are over-whelmed by the love and support that you have shown for Odie.
October 17th 2005
Odie is now on a very low dosage of steroids. It is working wonders for his cough, and he will stay on this medication for the rest of his life. We are very happy to have found the root of the problem after much time and energy with our vet. Thanks again to everyone who donated, we couldn't have helped Odie without you!!!!!!!!!!
PS- Odie won AOL's top TV moment of the year, thank so much for voting! If you are in the Pittsburgh area we will be on T.V. again this Thursday (Oct. 20th around 10-11am) on Pittsburgh Today Live, on KDKA!
August 21st, 2006
Hello everyone! Sorry that it has been so long since our last update. Odie has been doing pretty good. He is still taking the Prednisone (steroids). He developed allergies this spring and now also takes Children's Benadryl as needed for his puggy sneezes and coughs. He is still the love of our lives and his "I love you's" still melt our hearts!
May 17th, 2007
Odie has adjusted to his new home in Glenside, Pa but he still misses all his Pittsburgh relatives and friends. He loves having a big fenced-in yard and spends lots of time outdoors when the weather is nice. In January, Odie was taken off the Prednisone and has been using the Flovent Inhaler for his Chronic Bronchitis. It is really working well for him and having him off the steroids makes us feel better, too. Odie has decided to retire as he will be turning 10 years old this summer. He is happy just telling his personal humans that he loves them.
January 31st 2008
Odie passed away today. As most pugs do, Odie has faced many health challenges in his old age. He will be missed and remembered by many, and loved and cherished by his family and friends forever. Thank you all for your support. We love you Odie!
