RUBY

( After initial bath upon arrival at CODA)

Ruby was rescued from the Holmes County Dog Pound in Millersburgh Ohio
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Here are Ruby's Shelter photo's taken at the pound
We were contacted about Ruby because she was listed as blind at the shelter
After watching Ruby move around an unfamiliar environment we do believe that Ruby has some level of vision as
she did not bump into anything although walking cautiously and slowly

A wonderful Volunteer with the Holmes County Humane Society helped Ruby get from the shelter
safely to one of our CODA Foster Mom's closer to Cleveland Ohio
Ruby arrived at CODA on Wednesday February 22nd 2006
Ruby was in horrible condition upon arrival in Cleveland
Ruby smelled so strongly of urine she smelled like ammonia
Ruby had clumped matts like we've never seen before
Ruby's matted hair clumps trailed off each paw and measured at least two feet in length on all four of her paws
When Ruby walked her back paws would wind up stepping on the clumps hanging off her front paws making
walking very difficult at best for poor Ruby
We immediately got Ruby to one of our Cleveland foster homes and started trying to clean her up as much as possible

Once we started cutting the clumps of matted hair off of Ruby we had almost ten pounds of matted horrid smelling fur
Ruby's ears were filled with ear mites which we immediately started cleaning and treating- thus the q-tips in the photo above
along with all the matted hair we removed from Ruby

This is just ONE of the many clumps that were removed from Ruby's paws and body
Ruby felt a lot better after we trimmed off all the matted hair and gave her a good bath with Pearl Drops Shampoo

After cleaning off tons of black ear mite goo from both of Ruby's ears we discovered that Ruby has a
two digit number tabooed in one of her ears as if she's lived her life as just a number in a puppy mill her entire life
Ruby's back teeth on both sides of her mouth are in horrid condition
We found dried clumped hair stuck to Ruby's gumline on one side of her mouth and when we removed
it using a q-tip dipped in peroxide we discovered major decay underneath the removed clumped dried hair stuck to her teeth
Her breath is just horrid from all the dental decay in her mouth

After Ruby was trimmed, bathed, and blow dried we immediately headed for our Vet's office with Ruby
Ruby is spending a few days at our Vet's office for the following medical issues

Major Dental Decay
Mammary tumors on several of her mammaries
Severe Cataracts
General exam and bloodwork
Evaluation for additional medical care needed to determine more about her health status
We will add updated info as we learn more about Ruby's health status
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UPDATE 2/23/05
Dr. Bob just called me back and the biggest concern right now is the breast tumors. So he suggested we do a full blood panel
and a chest xray so he can determine better the risk of putting her under anesthesia to remove the tumors.
Dr. Bob said they may be benign or they may have already metastasized and I just gave him the go ahead to do the bloodwork and xrays and I'll know more in the morning as will Dr. Bob once the test results are back and analyzed.
He also said he thinks Ruby is a really sweet dog:)
She really does have a very sweet personality.
Estimated costs for tests $140

Denise Franks-Director
CODA-Cleveland Ohio Dog Advocates
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UPDATE 2/25/06
Test results show that Ruby's heart is very enlarged. The xrays revealed that the tumors appear to be
localized and appear to not have metastasized yet
Ruby's blood work came back good
Dr. Bob said putting Ruby under anethesia for tumor removal would be very risky due to her heart problems
Vaccinations would not be beneficial to her health because of her heart condition
Ruby is not spayed as we expected as it appears that she is a puppy mill survivor
who either broke out of her cage or was turned out to fend for herself by some unethical puppymill owner.
Vet Bill Total -$240 for tests and medical boarding for 5 days

UPDATE 3/4/06
Ruby presented with diareah yesterday so was examined by the Vet this morning.
Ruby has a fever and was deyhdrated so received an antibiotic injection and fluids
We will be monitoring her temperature throughout the weekend and hope she starts doing better soon
Ruby is coming along well in getting used to living in a home instead of a puppy mill cage
Ruby enjoys her little trots out in the fenced in yard at her foster home and is coming out of her crate on her own
when asked if she wants to go outside
Ruby is navigating well and not bumping into anything so appears to have a functional level of vision
Vet Bill Total-$97

Holmes County Ohio where Ruby was found wandering stray is home to many Amish Puppy Mills
Click on this link to learn more about this horrible problem in Holmes County Ohio
http://www.wsyx6.com/newsroom/features/newscenter_investigates.shtml

Behind the quiet Amish existence lurks horrible suffering for so many dogs because of the Amish Puppy Mills
who breed dogs like Ruby for profit by selling the puppies bred to pet stores nationwide
These same Puppy Mill owners keep dogs like Ruby on hormones in order to ensure several litters a year
The overuse of hormones cause problems such as we're seeing with Ruby of heart conditions and tumors
Ruby will be moving to a foster home here in Cleveland where she will get a lot of special care and love
to help her to learn to live outside the confines of a puppy mill cage
until a wonderful new home can be found for her to live out her life being treated like a pet
is supposed to be treated
http://www.ubistail.blogspot.com/
( Visit the link above for updates from Ruby's Foster Home)
We are also researching holistic alternative nutrients to help improve Ruby's heart condition
UPDATE
3/8/06
Ruby is feeling much better. Her fever is gone and her diareah has stopped
Ruby is settling in well at her Foster Home

Ruby's first step was having the safety of her crate with the door always open
Then Ruby progressed into taking over Annie's Dog Bed in the Dining Room

Annie doesn't mind she's enjoying helping Ruby to learn about life outside a puppy mill cage
Annie is such a good foster sibling:)
UPDATE 3/24/06
Ruby was treated with droncit for tapeworms today
Ruby is now 100% housebroken and will go outside to potty when asked if she wants to go outside
Ruby is learning to cuddle with her foster parents but is still very stand off-ish with humans but loves Annie
her foster dog sister.

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If you can help us to defray the costs of saving Ruby

or any of our other dogs in rescue
please click on the button below:
Thank you to the following donors who have made donations for Ruby
Sherry Hirter-Aurora Ohio
Amy Quinlan- In Memory of Sandy beloved Cocker Spaniel
UPDATE
Ruby has been adopted by George ( Adopted CODA Cocker Spaniel) and his new Mom!
Ruby will be living in Northfield Ohio with George and her new Mom

Ruby's Adoption Fee was reduced to $100 to enable her to live out her life in a safe, loving
Cocker Experienced home.

Or send check or money order to:

CODA
P.O. Box 44092
Brooklyn, Ohio 44144