Featured Boxer






09/29/10
Mason
Mason
Mason
Mason
10/10/10
Mason
Mason
Mason
 Mason's Miracle (Updated 10/24/2010)

Thank you Freddy, Stephanie, Diego and Cruz for caring for and loving Mason!


Boxer Rescue received an urgent message letting us know that a young male puppy was left at a local vet clinic because of a disease called hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD).

Puppies have a growth plate at the end of their bones and the bone adjacent to the plate is soft and developmentally active.  This disease causes the blood vessels near the plate to bleed into the bone; it then dies, gets resorbed and develops microfracturing due to the weakening of the bone structure.  The new bone then lays on the surface of the original.

HOD is a self-limiting disease that can last for a few weeks per episode (fever, anorexia, depression, lameness, diarrhea, tonsillitis and pneumonia are a few possible problems).

Large breeds such as Great Danes, Boxers, German Shepherds and Weimaraners are most commonly affected.

Mason was released to the rescue and immediately found a foster-to-adopt home.  He is currently on pain medications to help him while he grows and develops and must be on a strict adult-maintenance diet.  His activity level must also be limited since it is important to minimize major growth spurts as this can cause him to have very uncomfortable pain.

Mason came to the rescue in early September and will continue to be monitored for at least the next 10 months. 

So what does this mean now for Mason? It means that Mason and his potential adopting family must make sure that he grows as a puppy should but not at a rate to make him overly uncomfortable.  And although the overall diagnosis is positive, there is always a possibility that the disease can affect Mason's organs.  This could potentially force us to make a decision on Mason's current and future quality of life,  We believe that we will not have to make this decision since we are hopeful we caught the disease in time and have great caregivers for Mason.

Of course, this lengthy process will be costly to the rescue and we could use your support to help Mason fully recover and any amount contributed will help pay for his care. Click here to donate with Google Checkout. Please indicate that you want your contribution to go to helping Mason and know that every penny that is donated to the rescue goes directly to the dogs in need - everyone in the rescue volunteers 100% of their time.

While your financial support is crucial to helping Mason, so are your thoughts and prayers for him to recover.  Please keep an eye on this page as we will update it with current information and new pictures periodically over the next 10 months.

(9/21) This morning, Mason's new dad called to let me know that his appetite has greatly improved; but more importantly, Mason decided to walk from the house to the garage on his own.  And later, follow his new family around the house - until he got tired of course.  Think we may have gotten through episode 1 - helping me be optimistic!

(9/29) This week was up and down for Mason.  He continued to improve by leaps and bounds after the last posting: even going as far as using the dog door!  He was playing with the other dogs and following the boys out to the field and hanging out with them while they played.  But, of course, when I go visit, he decided to have a "rest" day.  But not slowing down on the eating.  New pictures are here and a video will be made by next week.

(10/11) Mason is still having his ups and downs; he is weighing 28.4 pounds and growing.  When he is feeling good, he runs around (a little awkwardly) and when he is feeling bad, he likes to rest.  But, he is extremely alert, his liver test says it is healthy and he will hopefully get through this.  One month down now!  But I don't think he likes that dinosaur too much.

(10/24) It has been almost two weeks since his last update, but Mason is now weighing 31 pounds and has had only one episode!  He is also recovering quicker each time.  Another visit will be made to get more pictures of him and next week videos will be available on our youtube site.



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