Long Term Resident

Diesel

After his arrival into rescue, we took him to the vet right away for x-rays. Diesel was diagnosed with severe Spondylosis, which is spinal degeneration and deformity of the joints of two or more vertebrae that commonly occurs with aging. When the space between two adjacent vertebrae narrows, compression of a nerve root emerging from the spinal cord may result in sensory system and motor system disturbances, such as severe pain in the neck, shoulder, arm, back, and/or leg, accompanied by muscular weakness. Less commonly, direct pressure on the spinal cord (typically in the cervical spine) may result in global weakness, gait dysfunction, loss of balance, and loss of bowel and/or bladder control. The patient may experience a
phenomenon of shocks in hands and legs because of nerves contraction and lack of blood flow.

At this point in time, Diesel is shaking most of the time and definitely showing weakness and experiencing pain in his back and
legs. We are still playing with his medications and trying to make him as comfortable as possible. Many of you may recall that Rosco also suffers from this particular medical condition, however, Diesel is way worse in comparison! We are hopeful that he has at least a year left of quality of life with pain management, but also realistic and realize that it is not fair to put an adopting family through that kind of future. Consequently, we have decided to make him a permanent member of our foster program. We will call on individuals to sponsor his ongoing food and medical bills and he will have a place with RMGDRI for as long as he has left!

I want to take this opportunity to extend a special thank you to Diesel's foster home for being willing to make this special boy a part of their family for the duration!

6-27-08

Diesel is a very happy guy these days. His medications are doing the trick! He isn't the most athletic dog on the planet but he gets around just fine. His shaking has decreased signifacantly and he is more comfortable and able to sleep through the night now. He loves his short walks and running through the grass at the ball field. Every morning he will greet you with one of his babies in his mouth. Diesel is a wonderful sweet boy and welcome here for the rest of his days!

5-6-2010

It is with a heavy heart that I write to tell you all that Diesel lost his fight today. Diesel originally came into rescue from a shelter in Cheyenne, WY will a pretty severe case of Spondylosis. That never did change his attitude though. He was the most gentle soul I have ever met. There wasn't a person, kitten, other dog, guinea pig, or any other creature Diesel didn't just sniff, wag his tail, and say "Well Hello There!". He lived beyond his expected years by almost 18 months so he fought the good fight. He loved to run in the fields, chew on his Kong during movies just to make that squeeky sound, go for walks, and was the only dog in the house (other than The Rat herself) allowed to visit the guinea pigs. He was very quiet, calm, gentle boy that just did his thing and loved life as it was.

Diesel will be greatly missed by our family. He was our second permanent foster, and even though it is never easy to let them go, our family would do it again in a heartbeat!