NOW PLAYING: ON THE ROAD AGAIN
(Instrumental Version)

ON THE ROAD AGAIN MARCH 2018
Joy's last day with Melanie . . .
On 2 April, Shell & Melanie write: As Joy was being fostered in Iowa, she was quickly matched to one our past Michigan adopters, but as her liver enzymes were high, we had to delay her spay. After a round of antibiotics, Joy was moved closer to her forever home and we redid her labs in anticipation of her liver values being in normal range and getting her spayed. Shell talked with Joy's future mom, and Donna still very much wants to have Joy. Melanie says goodbye to Joy when they meet Shell in Dubuque
	But in fact, her values were higher. A bile-acid test (a more definitive indicator of liver function) followed and the numbers were extremely high. Dr. Ammon at Animal House feels almost certain we are dealing with a liver shunt, but the only way to know for certain will be with an ultrasound. Assuming there is a shunt, then surgery will follow. Joy in Shell's doggie car seat
From PETMD.com: WHAT IS A LIVER SHUNT? First, we need to review some canine anatomy and physiology. A network of veins (called the portal system) drains blood away from the digestive tract. This blood carries nutrients, hormones, and waste material and is supposed to enter the liver before it travels to the rest of the body. The liver takes what it needs to function properly and also detoxifies the blood before sending it onward. A shunt is defined as a passage "that allows the flow of materials between two structures that are not usually connected". A portosystemic shunt is, specifically, an abnormal blood vessel (or vessels) that connects the "portal" system draining the digestive tract to the "systemic" circulatory system feeding the rest of the body, thereby bypassing the liver. That is where are currently are. Joy will be moved to her "foster to adopt" home in Michigan and her surgical consultation, ultrasound and shunt surgery will take place at Michigan State University in Lansing Michigan. Unfortunately, rescue groups do not get a discount and the final costs associated with the surgery and all the "pre-surgical care" is estimated to be between $4500 and $5000. Joy has not yet moved to her FTA home in Michigan and it will be at least four weeks before we are able to get an appointment. After a few days with the Lewis family, she is currently being fostered in Indiana with Ron Crabtree, but should move to her FTA home within a week or two.
Jim Lewis holds Joy; Skippy & Nora at his feet Watch a video of Joy in the Lewis home (about two weeks ago) HERE
Dr. Ammon looks over Joy's medical records
The expectation is that she will be spayed at the same time they do the shunt. We have an appointment for the ultrasound on 18 April at MSU. If you can find a bit of $$ in your wallet for Joy, please help her towards leading a long and healthy life. She thanks you! DOREEN MUNDIE: Ah, poor little Joy . . . will be sending her loving thoughts. Thanks for letting us know. BJ ISAACS: She is sooooo pretty! PATRICIA YARNOT: Oh my, to come so far and then for this to happen! Hang on, Joy!

ON THE ROAD AGAIN WITH JOY HERE