If this is your fist time visiting Maggie’s page, jump to the original post here.
And these updates:
- Vet Update on Dec. 19th
- Urgent Update on Dec. 22nd
- Foster Mom Update Dec. 26th
- Urgent Update on Dec. 30th
- Jan 5th Update
- Jan 12th Update
- Jan 19th Update
Update: Feb. 10, 2025
Foster Mom update:
“I set up my Far infrared (FIR) laser light to see if it helped Maggie with her pain (from ligament tears in her knees) and she loves it! It seem to be helping
Foster Mom update:
“Maggie is very mobile now and follows me everywhere. We are going to start some short walks to the mailbox and up and down the street.
I did an experiment with her… I left her outside about 20-30 minutes, and she didn’t see me watching her, but she whines and barks a bit for help. After a while she gives up, stands up, and starts walking around and coming to the door.
She gets loves every time she comes in. I want her to know she can trust humans again, BUT I also want her to be independent. She really is getting stronger every day! I praise every accomplishment, and her confidence gets better daily.
The other day I was eating an orange, and she was begging for it, and I said, “You like oranges??” Not many dogs do, so I handed her a wedge and she bit it and spit it right out… She just knew I was eating something, and she wanted it, it had to be good! NOT…
Maggie is a GREAT dog. The playing with the cats is also more active- she and Peaches have some sort of game going on at the door…. LOL she is fine with cats! Now that she is mobile, she is not bothered by them.”
MAGGIE IS DOING GREAT! Her foster mom says she is gaining confidence and frequently asks for approval to drink water. As you can see in this video she is moving much easier and her coat is coming back in.
“She is walking more every day, she went for a ride in the car yesterday to get tacos and we are going for a grocery pick up today! She saw a feral cat in the backyard this morning and she was ready to get up instantly. She loves clean blankets that smell clean…. Lol. She also now knows, like my other dog Rascal, when I am getting ready to leave and they both hang out by the garage door to go for a ride!”
Keep up the good work, Maggie!
Thank you Jenny, for your continued love and support of Maggie.
Woohoo! Maggie’s making amazing progress! She’s lost about 10 pounds in just THREE weeks and is walking so much better—even going potty outside all by herself! While car rides are still a bit tricky (she needs a lift in and out), she strutted right into and out of the vet’s office for her weigh-in like a champ! And she wanted to keep on walking!
Dr. Pam says with continued weight loss, exercise, and healing of her ACL issues, Maggie’s got a long and healthy life ahead of her! ❤️
Maggie’s confidence, joy, and Brittany-ness is building every day. Kudos to her amazing foster mom for giving her this new chance at life.
And the best news? Her foster mom can keep loving on her for another month or two!
Good news =
Maggie’s blood work came back normal.
Really good news =
BRIT brought Maggie in from the shelter as an “emergency rescue.” Per the shelter’s rules & regs we would have been required to return her if the owner had reclaimed her by the deadline of 9:00 am Dec. 27th. The BRIT team waited anxiously to hear back from the shelter. On the 29th, we received the good news that Maggie was NOT reclaimed and is now officially a BRIT Brittany.
Really BAD news =
Maggie’s amazing foster mom’s holiday break has come to an end and she has to go back to her full-time job. Maggie needs a new temporary foster home by next Sunday, Jan. 5th.
(see fostering needs below.)
Not so good news =
Maggie’s radiology report came in. The x-rays showed bilateral cranial cruciate ligament tears* in both knees which is why, along with her obesity, she has difficulty walking.
* means that both of Maggie’s rear knees have experienced a rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), which is a key stabilizing ligament in the knee joint, essentially causing instability in both hind legs; it’s like having a torn ACL in both knees in humans, but in the back leg of a dog.
What does this mean for Maggie??
This is a painful condition which is why she limps, has difficulty walking, and is overweight from the lack of exercise.
Good news =
The good news is Maggie is now on Thyroid medication which will help the weight come off thereby decreasing her discomfort. We are happy to report her ability to walk improves daily.
More good news =
Maggie is having fewer anxiety attacks due to the loving attention of her foster mom and being in a safe environment.
Maggie’s Fostering Needs:
- A calm environment where she can continue to heal physically and emotionally.
- This is essential due to her PTSD caused by years of neglect.
- She occasionally needs assistance getting up.
- If she is tired or weak she will whine and bark until assisted. Both inside and outside.
- No cats.
- She desperately wants to chase and play with them and gets frustrated because she can’t.
- Easy access to outdoors with easy thresholds.
- She is currently unable to navigate steps or stairs.
- She can’t currently navigate a doggie door because of her size and lack of mobility.
- Because of this we need a foster where Maggie won’t be left alone for long periods of time.
- Periodic vet visits to check weight and mobility.
- All vet bills, medication, and food will be paid for by BRIT.
Basically Maggie needs another guardian angel. We know this is a LOT to ask for in a foster but we are confident in her ability to continue healing and overcome her challenges. Please help get the word out about Maggie and let’s find her next foster home!
BRIT must find a NEW Foster Home by Sunday, January 5th!
Donations: We are also asking for donations to help cover Maggie’s medical expenses.
We know not everyone can foster or donate, but there are other ways you can help. Please share Maggie’s story on social media and with your friends and family. We need to get the word out about Maggie so we can find her a foster home and raise the money she needs for her medical care.
Thank you for your support – BRIT couldn’t do this work without you!
Foster Mom Update: Dec. 26, 2024
Maggie is thriving in her foster home! She’s walking more, getting stronger, and showing off her classic Brittany charm. Every day brings a new win, from navigating the transition from grass to patio to confidently crossing door thresholds. She’s also staying in motion for longer periods.
It’s amazing to see how far she’s come in just 10 days – from death’s door to thriving, all thanks to the love and care of her foster mom!
She’s even starting to show some classic Brittany behaviors and is quickly training her foster mom! Who could say no to this sweet face when she wants to snuggle in the cat bed? Also, Maggie didn’t experience any anxiety episodes last night. We’re so happy to see Maggie happy and comfortable.
Like many Brittanys, Maggie loves to be close to her people. She was a bit anxious when her foster mom was cooking and couldn’t see her, but a well-placed grip rug in the kitchen solved the problem! She’s also quite fond of the cat’s bed, even though it’s much too small for her. Her foster mom wisely relocated the coveted bed (and its Yoda blanket!) into Maggie’s own bed, sending her right back to slumber land.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, at 2:30 am, Maggie woke up in distress. She was crying, panting, barking, whimpering, shaking, and appeared to be in tremendous pain. Her foster mom, Jenny, rushed her to a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital. The on-call vet, believing Maggie’s suffering to be severe and her chances of recovery slim, recommended euthanasia.
Unable to reach BRIT’s president, Pattie, Jenny took Maggie back home and comforted her through the night. Later that morning, Pattie arranged a three-way call between the emergency vet and BRIT’s primary veterinarian, Dr. Pam. After a thorough discussion, they concluded that Maggie may have been experiencing a panic attack, likely stemming from years of neglect.
Dr. Pam prescribed anti-anxiety medication, and we are delighted to report that as of Monday morning, Maggie is showing significant improvement! She is up, walking, and able to go to the bathroom on her own. She requires less assistance and is becoming more comfortable in her foster home. The loving care she is receiving from Jenny is clearly helping her to calm down. BRIT extends a huge thank you to Jenny for being such an incredible, calm, and caring foster mom!
Donate to Maggie’s Medical Fund
Maggie had her extensive dental cleaning yesterday. She is now on thyroid medication and is taking antibiotics which must be making her fell better. She is making great progress, albeit slowly. The vet techs were thrilled when, with encouragement, Maggie was able to take a few steps. She doesn’t have the strength to squat and pee just yet but she has made amazing progress in just three days.
Check out her pearly whites! (see before photos below).
ORIGINAL POST – 12/16/24
Warning - graphic photos at the end of this post.BRIT received a call from a local shelter regarding an emergency special needs Brittany named Maggie. She is a 10-year-old female who is in desperate need of medical attention.
Frankly, this is one of the worst cases we have ever seen. Our volunteer was shocked when Maggie was brought to her car in on a stretcher. It was obvious Maggie was in a lot of pain and very scared and nervous – she still pants and whimpers constantly.
We are asking for your help to give Maggie the care she needs. She is currently at our vet but we have no place to put her. BRIT must find a Foster Home no later than FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20TH! Therefore we are in urgent need of a foster home for Maggie.
We are also asking for donations to help cover her medical expenses. We’ve only had her two days and we have already spent $2400 on triage including: a dental with extractions, fine needle aspirate with cytology, x-rays radiologist review, exam, bloodwork, injections, antibiotics, thyroid medication. Next summer Maggie is looking at a probable double knee surgery.
The good news is Dr. Pam believes this girl can fully rehabilitate with proper care! Also good is the fact that she is heartworm negative and her bloodwork looks good considering her overall condition.
Maggie’s Medical Issues
- She has medial buttressing in both knees – she probably tore both ligaments which may have caused her not being able to walk – she has no muscle strength in back legs to hold her up.
- Because she is unable to walk, she is urine stained on her bottom, belly, and feet.
- Her toe nails are painfully long.
- She has raw skin around her vulva which is red and inflamed.
- She is covered in huge hair mats – from her head to her tail.
- She has significant loss of hair with scabbing and flea dirt.
- She has multiple fatty tumors all over her body.
- Her teeth are black with severe dental tartar and her gums are infected and swollen.
- She has swollen lymph nodes at the base of her jaw.
- She has low thyroid and will need daily medication for this condition.
- She is 15 to 20 pounds overweight.
Maggie’s Story
Maggie was brought to a shelter after her owner was hospitalized. The shelter contacted BRIT and asked if we could take her in. We immediately agreed, and Maggie is now safe in our care.
Note From shelter: ” Maggie was brought into the shelter for a keep safe hold as the owner was hospitalized. We will keep you posted if the owner is released from the hospital and wants to reclaim Maggie.”
Maggie is a sweet girl who has been through a lot. She is very nervous and scared, but she is also very loving. We are committed to giving her the best possible care.
How You Can Help
We are asking for your help in two ways:
Foster Home: We are in urgent need of a foster home for Maggie. Can you open your heart and home to Maggie?
BRIT must find a Foster Home by FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20TH!
Donations: We are also asking for donations to help cover Maggie’s medical expenses. We estimate that her care will cost thousands of dollars. Any amount you can donate will be greatly appreciated.
Please donate today to help Maggie walk again!
We know not everyone can foster or donate, but there are other ways you can help. Please share Maggie’s story on social media and with your friends and family. We need to get the word out about Maggie so that we can find her a foster home and raise the money she needs for her medical care.
Thank you for your support – BRIT couldn’t do this work without you!
ps – We never know what condition our rescues will be in. It is our long-standing policy to take all of them in, no matter how desperate their situations are.
BRIT will be posting updates here on our website and also on Facebook and Instagram.
Warning – graphic photos:
