Weds 12th May: The good, the bad, and the devastating

Lucky Esme and Edgar are healthy and adopted

 I can't deny that we're all struggling at the moment, meaning myself, staff and volunteers at the Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre, as the "T" litter were sent back to ALCVC today for further testing and treatment as needed.   In fact as a precaution we sent ALL of the Ap Lei Chau puppies to be tested, whether or not they seemed to be affected. 

Kennel cough and distemper start off with the same kind of symptoms but the outcome is very different, even though some puppies do survive distemper and never have any later problems.  However this a sneaky virus that usually pretends it's gone but is actually just waiting to hit again at a later stage, the second time with far more devastating effect.   I don't know if we can say we've been lucky in that only one puppy who tested positive is now running free in the Big Kennel in the Sky, a decision made in the evening when it was clear Tammy wasn't going to make it.  So far, other than Tickle who has pneumonia on top of parvovirus, the other puppies are OK with almost all having negative test results, but we are putting all meetings and contact on hold, with only a few experienced volunteers who understand the need for very strict hygiene being allowed to go near the quarantine area upstairs. These outbreaks start as suddenly as they go, and I have heard there are parvovirus cases in other clinics and areas too. 

Our slightly older puppies, meaning they will have had at least two vaccinations against infectious diseases, have kennel cough if anything, so we're not worried about them even though they too will be carefully monitored and given treatment as needed. 

We have experience of such times, and as such know exactly how to deal with it and how to prevent the spread of the viruses, and although the Sunday puppy afternoon at Whiskers N Paws will take place as usual, we'll only be sending the puppies from the Tai Po Homing Centre and those in foster homes who haven't been anywhere near Ap Lei Chau for some time. 

Meanwhile, just to add to the current difficulties, my Lamma dog Haggis is also not doing well with the biggest challenge being just to get him to eat something, anything, because he can't have any medication on an empty stomach.  I've been speaking to the vets at Concordia and have decided that I won't send him back to hospital as he was really stressed and unhappy being away from home, so it's really up to him now to fight or not. 

I can't even begin to imagine what our vet bills are going to look like at the end of the month, and I suspect I'll just have to close my eyes while I sign the cheques, but if you can donate towards the massive costs it will be hugely appreciated.   https://hongkongdogrescue.com/donate/one-off-donations/

Unloading and storing the big donation

There is some good news despite the over-riding sense of gloom at Ap Lei Chau, and that includes potential adoptions coming up for the weekend as well as a big donation of food at Tai Po from Buddy Bites so our dogs can taste test before we start promoting and  partnering with Buddy Bites.  Apache and Malcom were the first tasters and they approved with gusto. 

Big Malcolm said yes to the Buddy Bites food