THE CAPTAIN'S VET REPORT 15 JULY 2021
Sue writes: [The vet's] main concern is his heart. She doesn't know if he has heart disease, or if the enlarged heart is caused by the heartworms. She suggested going ahead with heartworm treatments for him and she uses the same protocol that the other vet uses. It will be hard on him, she said; no guarantees but she said that is her best suggestion for him and a dog doing well with the heartworm treatments is not a guarantee for ANY dog.	CLICK ON REX'S PIC TO SEE HIS VIDEO [I see he's wearing a bellyband; sure hope that encourages him to drink water!]
She is going to have me count his respirations while [he is] at rest and get back to her Monday. She's concerned he might need a heart med. This morning I noticed that the cyst the other vet noted, on the right side of his jaw just below his eye, had started draining yellowish/green pus mixed with blood. She feels this is an abscess caused from a bad tooth. She gave him Clavacillin for it, but said that tooth will continue to be a problem-causing abscess till it's removed; removing it right now is not an option. So he most likely will be getting new rounds of antibiotics to keep it at bay. His teeth are beautifully clean! However, he has severe gingivitis; his lower jawbone has deteriorated from it and it's really puzzling how his teeth can be so clean, yet his gums so badly infected. Both eyes are still oozing lots of green pus from being infected, but she feels it's just from having severe dry eyes left untreated; with the antibiotics and the drops she feels the infection will clear up, but may need a stronger eye medicine for the dry eye disease later. She sent me home with a medicated shampoo for his skin infection; she doesn't want to give him anything else for it with all the other medicine he is taking and with his heart condition. I told her the goal was for Rex to be given the best quality of life possible without heroics, and that our number one objective was to do whatever was in his best interest; with that in mind, did she feel he would be better off to be euthanized or should we consider not doing heartworm treatments perhaps at his age and all his health issues . . . is it too much? She didn't hesitate to say she would not like to see him euthanized as he has a very good appetite, shows interest in my Westies and follows me. If that changes then we would talk about and reevaluate what would be the best humane options for him. Can you spot which one is not the same? . . . Rex sez: ME AND MY NEW BFFs! AREN'T WE BEAUTIFUL? So with that in mind she feels moving forward with heartworm treatments is best. He will start those around 8 August. DOREEN MUNDIE: That poor little dog! I hope he finds some health and joy . . . what he must have had to endure . . . pee rather than water . . . so sad. Bless those gals who are helping these poor dogs . . . will remember him and send love. JACKIE IKE: Praying for Captain Rex to make a strong recovery and live pain-free for many more!

THE CAPTAIN IMPROVES! 16 JULY 2021
Sue writes: I'll try and get a video this afternoon of him with the Westie girls. He is such a different puppy dog this morning! He is walking so well without any trouble so his meds are really helping him. He finishes the prednisone in a couple weeks; I'll see how he feels without it. SEE HOW REX IS WALKING TODAY HERE Shell writes: Sue reports that her granddaughter Jada is quite the dog whisperer and does an amazing job with the old and infirm [dogs]. Captain Rex is just loving all the attention she has been giving him . . .
MARILYN ROYLE: Oh my goodness. Makes my heart so happy that he has found this joy in his life. SUZY BARCELOS WINCHESTER: My heart just simply breaks for him, while at the same time I adore and am so grateful to CRUSA, volunteers, and foster family for giving him a safe, happy home. JACKIE IKE: Rex is just so sweet. I love that he is improving so much!

THE CAPTAIN PLAYS! HERE