Update on Rocky

Hi everyone!

I just wanted to give you all an update on sweet Rocky. He went to the vet today. He was such a good boy. He's just perfect on a leash, in the car, and at the vet.

While I hope his wonderful personality is proof that he was well loved, he has had some hard living. Although he is hypothyroid, he is underweight by several pounds. It could be from poor nutrition or his teeth. His teeth are very very bad. My vet agreed with the shelter vet that he has several abscessed teeth. The rest of them are just filthy. His gums are inflamed. He will definitely need a dental cleaning and extractions if his blood work comes back ok and he can put on some weight. Hopefully he'll put on weight with good food and now that his diarrhea is completely gone.

He also seems mostly deaf and has a cataract in one eye. His other eye doesn't have a cataract but has a previous injury that has healed. Rocky also has bad arthritis in his front and back legs. Poor buddy. The doc gave me (free. Yay!) a supplement that might alleviate some of his arthritis discomfort.

So, the bloodwork will be back most likely by the end of the week. The doctor is checking that his thyroid levels are good on his current medication/dosage, along with all the other regular stuff.

The doctor is gauging him to be between 10 and 13 years old. She said that she will be able to tell more accurately when his blood work comes back and if she's able to do teeth. She mentioned being able to tell a lot from how stained the teeth are under all the gunk.

I also want to report that Rocky is great with new dogs and children. We kept him separated in the x pen for the first week. He has now acclimated to our main living areas. He mainly snoozes on this giant doggy bed. It must feel good for his arthritis. He will bark at the door to go out or come back in. He's just fantastic!

I hope this isn't too long winded. I just wanted to fill everyone in. Rocky is such a doll. I am so glad I was able to foster him. He is absolutely worth it!


Sandee Herrington