Greyhound Adoption League of Texas, Inc.

Polly, also known as Polly Pocket, is a precious, 8-week-old fawn female puppy. GALT was contacted by Polly’s owner asking for Polly to be accepted into the GALT family. Polly was half the size of the rest of her siblings, and she feared Polly’s condition would not allow her to survive on the brood farm. Upon arrival at VCA Preston Park Animal Hospital, Polly weighed only 4.7 pounds, was weak and anemic. She is under the care of Dr. Jeff Ellis and Dr. Christy Soileau and is currently undergoing tests; preliminary results show her with a very heavy burden of hookworms, which of course contributes to the anemia. Polly is in an experienced foster home that deals with GALT greys needing extra special medical care. As soon as results from the testing are known, it will be posted here.

Update 8/24/09

Polly’s weight is up to 5.1 from 4.7 when she arrived. On Saturday she was x-rayed to check for megaesophagus, and nothing showed up at all. A bile acid test was done also on Saturday, and the results came back today as normal. This is excellent, as this would have indicated if a liver shunt was present.

So, at this point, it is a wait and see – she is receiving worming meds for 6 days and will continue with the multiple daily feedings.

Dr. Ellis and Dr. Soileau will continue to monitor her closely and will see her later this week, unless needed before. She is definitely much, much more alert than she was when she arrived.

Update 8/28/09

Polly is getting stronger and putting on weight, as you can see by the pictures.

Update 9/02/09

Polly went to see Dr. Ellis and Dr. Soileau today and she weighs 7 lbs 6 oz!!!!! She is positive to Giardia cysts (not hooks this time), and she is being treated accordingly. Dr. Ellis says she has a little belly! Her gums are nice and pink and she is alert and playful. She will go back next week to recheck her bloodwork, and hopefully start her vaccinations.

Update 9/07/09

Polly is growing in leaps and bounds. While she is still very petite, Polly has doubled her weight. She has developed right into puppyhood, alert, energetic and playful.

She runs around so fast it is hard to catch her for a picture. I have an album of empty spaces of just walls and floors, where she was just a nano second prior. After running around and expending all her energy, Polly is ready for some cuddling and then goes to sleep. When she awakes, she is ready to start all over again.

Polly loves all toys, but her favorite are shoes, human ones, especially those of Italian origin.
Our golden retriever is Polly's offical "squeeky toy".
Polly loves walking on leash a couple times a day with the big guys. She takes the lead in her mouth to show you which way to go. We are working on correcting that.
Almost completely potty trained, except during the night, Polly shows subtle signs when she is ready to go out.
Our household is now puppy proof, but all furniture is fair game, so Polly is under supervision all the time. She thinks the grout between the tiles can be removed, but Polly is a fast learner.
Polly is a smart puppy. She has mastered "sit" on command. She's a genius!
Polly has interior designer tendencies. She rearranges our rugs, bathmats and dogbeds and towels according to her personal taste.

We are enjoying Polly, aka "The Pocket" very much. She is such a fun, little one.

Polly Pocket

Update 9/18/09

POLLY WEIGHS 13.6 POUNDS!!!! Polly was seen by Dr. Ellis and Dr. Soileau, and her blood was drawn for retesting. Her blood parameters are still showing a bit abnormal, and she is positive to round worms. Treatment for the parasites has been implemented again. She will continue to be monitored by the doctors at VCA Preston Park Animal Hospital!

Update 10/1/09

Polly continues to grow and is all legs it seems! She goes in for a check up with Dr. Soileau and Dr. Ellis in the next 7 days.