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Exotic Rescue And Rehoming Service
We at Pellet and Popcorn believe that every animal should have a safe and suitable home where their comfort and happiness are a priority. We understand that sometimes circumstances change and this is no longer possible, and this leads to the heartbreaking decision for owners.
Our aim is to provide a caring environment for your pets in our care until we are able to find a new loving forever home.
PUGGLE'S STORY
Meet puggle the prairie dog
Puggle came to us at Pellet and Popcorn after her owner was concerned due to her behaviour that she was stressed by being stuck in her cage for long periods of time alone. She spent most of her days pacing up and down along the front of her cage, and had even caused an injury to the top of her head by biting the bars. We set about making her a suitable enclosure with no bars where she had more space to display her natural behaviours.
Once settled into our care and exploring her new environment, it became apparent she had trouble walking and often shuffled, limped and occasionally dragged her leg. She would also fall over when trying to sit up to eat as if unable to balance herself. It seemed as though there was more to Puggle's story than we first thought. We decided a vet visit was needed.
The first vet visit was devastating. We learnt that the issues were most likely caused by an old injury too late to be fixed or a deformity that she was born with, progressively worsening as she grew. We were told there was no easy fix and would probably be best to consider putting to sleep, however if it didn't seem to interfere with her day-to-day life we could see how it goes and were prescribed a therapeutic dose of meloxicam to aid in her wellbeing.
We had to bring Puggle to the vet a second time a few weeks later as we awoke to a distressing situation. Puggle was covered in blood. After cleaning her up and giving a a quick examination, it looked as though she had been biting her own foot and had done a lot of damage.
Our hearts were shattered as the act of self mutilation now meant that her issue had progressed. In the short time we had cared for Puggle she had already proved to be the most loving, sweet natured and yes, just a little bit naughty (it's okay we didn't like the sofa anyway...) animal we had ever had the pleasure of caring for. Puggle was prescribed now a much larger dose of painkillers, gabapentin and antibiotics in case of infection. She was now on her final chance. We knew that if she continued to be in significant pain, it was time to say goodbye.
The next morning we were so relieved that there had been no further damage. It looked as the painkillers were working. Our sweet little cuddly Puggle was full of energy, running around being more naughty than ever, fully enjoying her life.
Following a great few weeks of Puggle's company, we went back for a follow-up visit to the vets. They were very optimistic that whilst she would likely never walk normally as long as we could maintain her pain relief and self mutilation was not occurring she could continue to grow and live her life.
We did have a slight regression in her condition when trying to reduce her pain medication, which means it is likely she will have to continue on long term medication of her full dose twice a day for the rest of her life. Unfortunately, as a result, this means that it would be extremely difficult to find her a new loving forever home willing to take on the ongoing responsibility to her welfare and so Puggle will remain as part of the Pellet and Popcorn family as a loving and cherished member.
Puggle is still doing amazingly and is enjoying her life to the fullest.
Help Us Help them
We are always in need of towels and blankets, as well as small dog/cat beds suitable for smaller animals, heat lamps and thermostats and other general animal necessities. If you have any in the Torquay area, please give us a call.
For those of you who have asked, our wish-list for the animals has been linked below.
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