This sweet little 9 month old, 12 lb. baby girl is Bernadette and SHE IS FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE.  We are worried sick and doing all that we can, but we need your help!  Bernadette is just one of the 350-400 pugs that Pug Rescue of Florida helps EVERY year.  Her condition is one of the more severe cases and Pug Rescue of Florida has already spent over $5000 so far trying to get her well.  Had we not provided her with the care she has received so far, she would not be alive today.  Bernadette is a loving little pug girl, and we think she's worth it........just like every other pug that comes into our rescue. 

Bernadette's illness became apparent the evening before Thanksgiving when she had her first seizure.  On Thanksgiving day, she had more seizures.  So, her wonderful foster mom did what wonderful foster moms do.  She put aside her own plans for Thanksgiving and rushed Bernadette to the Emergency Vet Clinic.  Like we always say in rescue, there are no holidays or weekends in Pug Rescue, but there are lots of pug love rewards.

Since Thanksgiving, Bernadette has made several trips to Gainesville to see the Specialists at the University of Florida's Vet Hospital.  The first of which was via their emergency clinic where she had her first blood transfusion because her red blood cell count was dangerously low.  Without that transfusion, Bernadette would have died.  In fact, our volunteer who transported her to the hospital said that she was so weak that day, that she thought Bernadette had actually died in her arms.  To say that is a horrible feeling, does not even desribe the emotions our volunteer felt.  So far, Bernadette has had 2 blood transfusions.  Transfusions do not provide a cure, but they do provide the vets time to try to figure out what is causing the low red blood cell count.  Many diagnoses have been considered:  Genetics, Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE), Auto-Immune Disorders, Cancer, Tick Borne Illness, issues/reactions to vaccines and/or flea preventatives, and ingestion of poisons and other metals.  MANY tests were done including x-rays, bone marrow biopsies, full tick panels, and numerous blood tests.  After ruling out the ingestion of a foreign object (afterall, she is a puppy), infection, and the completion of the bone marrow biopsy, we were able to start Bernadette on a high dose of steroids, which seems to be keeping her red blood cell county up (at least temporarily).  The tick panel results have not been received yet, but based on her current cell count, it appears that she has an auto-immune disorder.  Her own immune system is attacking and killing her own red blood cells as they are being formed in her bone marrow.  IF it is auto immune disease, the goal will be to get her on a level of steroids that she can tolerate, but at the same time, keep the disease in remission.  Bernadette's continued care will be a long process and will involve months of decreasing steroid therapy, ongoing blood tests, and if necessary, more blood transfusions, and anything else that is needed for her care.  Only time will tell what her long term prognosis will be. 

Just so you know, Bernadette has not been suffering.  We would not let that happen, regardless of the outcome.  She has not been in pain, she has just been extremely tired.  Now that her blood count is up, she is back to being the sweet little puppy she was before her troubles began.  She is not worried one little bit.............we are doing all the worrying for her.  At this point, we are hopeful that our efforts on her behalf will enable her to live and have a good life. 

If you have the heart, the financial means, and the veterinary resources to help Bernadette face whatever the future holds, please send your adoption application today to Pug Rescue of Florida.  Needless to say, Bernadette needs a VERY special home, but we would love for her to find her love match.  She is such a little doll.  If you can't adopt, please DONATE today and help us pay the mountain of vet bills we glady incurred saving her life.  Bernadette needs you and so do the other pugs!  HELP US HELP THE PUGS.......WE CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU!

The reality is that because of Bernadette's continued expensive medical bills, we need people to donate today, tomorrow, and every other day to continue to help Bernadette and the other pugs that need us.  From day to day, we do not know what emails or phone calls we will receive about a pug in an emergency situation and we need donations in order to continue to help the pugs in need.  At any given time, Pug Rescue of Florida has 90-120 pugs in foster care.  Some require basic updating of vaccinations, while others require extensive surgeries, specialists, medications, special diets.........not to mention the everyday costs including food, flea and heartworm medications, harnesses, leashes, crates, beds.......the list just goes on and on. 

Pug Rescue of Florida is a non-profit, 501(c)3 rescue group who is solely supported by volunteers and the gracious donations from the public.  We appreciate everyone who continues to support our efforts to help the many pugs in need across the state of Florida.