Champ

[Blunderdog]

We adopted Champ in March 2007 and we absolutley adore him, its the best thing we ever did! Champ settled in with us quickly though I do beleive it takes 6 months onwards for them to truly settle.
Champ became very ill just three days after we brought him home, this was due to a huge allergic reaction he had to some medication from the vet:
He was given an anti inflammatory injection for a small dog bite and then two days later an anti inflammatory injection for a swolllen paw.I wont give the full details now I will post again with the exact names of the drugs.In the United States there is an awareness that Labradors can have a serious reaction to these drugs, not here though!
His liver showed 7 times the normal enzyme count and we had to nurse him constantly for three weeks.The vet wasnt sure if it was a previous condition or it was a result of the reaction to the drugs. (We beleived after many many hours of research via the internet and several vet forums that it was a drug induced reaction) We had to monitor his liver and pancreas daily then weekly over a period of 3 months. It took 3 months of prescription food and further medication and lots of TLC before we were given the all clear and his enzyme levels had reduced to near normal.
Because of this we are very wary of any medications unless they are vital.
We have since changed our vet, though the senior vet at the original practice did everything he could to help.
Champ is now fully fit and healthy again, though he also suffered campilo bacter twice (a severe bacteria in the gut) which we beleive he caught form drinking dirty puddle water.
It was a very long and hard struggle for the first 6 months and we were terrified we would loose him, thankfully we didnt!
Champ is the most wonderful dog everybody loves him from admirers on his walks to family and friends.He brings joy to us constantly and he is a very happy boy.
He has been on several holidays the best of which are camping where he is completley chilled out.He loves nothing more than being with his pack (us) and enjoying playtime before he settles down for cuddles then bed!

I cannot express how rewarding adopting an older dog is, we cant imagine life before Champ now.

[angelat]

This is fantastic that champ is over the worst, i know what you mean about medications from vets I aways query and research everything before i start my dogs on them , there has been a few times locum vets at my vets surgery have tried to get me to start my dog on medications and when i research it , it says makes them sick puts them off their food etc etc, which my dog cant have as she is diabetic.

Even the regular vet im sure is sick of me as i question everything and come back with loads questions before penny gets anything.

They are just to special to take any risks with sometmes i think im OTT but she means to much to me as does your champ

Champ is a lucky boy to have such dedicated owners, but they are worth it every time and more.

Love to see a pic of champ

[Gemma T]

Wow gosh poor Champ certainly went through the wars...thankfully you were there to get him through it!
Gemma x

[kathryn]

Glad to hear Champ is much better Camptylobactor can also be caught from chicken, or bird droppings, is he a sniffer and licker, I went down this road with my old boy,so know what you went through..I remember him maybe a pic next time...

Thanks for the update...

[Glenys]

Thank you for the update on Champ and also for giving him such a wonderful home.

Glenys x

[Blunderdog]

I will post a picture of Champ as soon as I am able, have had continual problems with my computer! Will try and post soon.
Thanks for kind replies.
I think my vet thinks I am a bit protective and I am!