NWESSR

Titch came to NWESSR at the beginning of May 2007. He was just skin and bone, but he was the happiest little dog that we had ever seen. He couldn’t keep anything down not even water; anything that went in came back in bulk. He had no energy to walk or play, but somehow he still managed to find the strength to interact with the other dogs but only for a very short time. He wanted to be like the big dogs!

Titch weighed just under 4kg and he was nearly six months old! The vets were speechless. They suspected that Titch had a Porto systemic shunt and would need major surgery. The tests started here it was heartbreaking watching needles being put into Titch’s skin as there was no fat there, but he just kept wagging his tail. All the tests did point to the shunt and he was referred to a specialist vets. With the help of medication to try and stop him being sick we were told to try and get some weight on him so that the surgery could be performed.

Titch endured weeks of tests and procedures. More than once we were told he may not survive. But Titch did! He was started on steroids and within weeks the sickness had stopped and he was gaining weight. Titch will have to remain on the steroids for the rest of his life.

Titch has shown guts and determination and the strongest will to live, taking all the treatments in his stride and remaining happy, to everyone's amazement.

Without NWESSR and his wonderful foster carers, Titch would not be here now.