Name: SASHA
Admitted: 27/03/2012
Microchip: 939000010405576
Approximate Date of Birth:
01/06/2010
Sex: Female
Fixed: Yes
21/04/2013
Weight: 22 kg
Breed: Mixed
Color: Brown
Markings: the edges of her two ears are hairless and
cut
Size: Medium
Housetrained? No
Good With Dogs? Yes
Good With Cats? Unknown
Good With Children? Yes
Lives with: Peter, Shila and Audrey
Comments
Leishmania positive
On 27 March 2012, I pick her from the streets in the neighbourhoods of Tirana. Rescued from Sauk, in a terrible
shape. Very thin, almost a skeleton.
In Albania, the vets put to sleep the dogs with leishmania: so no vet has experience in treating and
diagnosing. Also, veterinarians refuse(d) to spay Sasha because she was leishmania positive. Finally, one
has agreed.
Since the first moment, I feared it was leishmania but the vet said it was not. After several months of treating her
against mange without major improvements, I convinced the vet to do the test. The rapid test resulted negative! The
vet was exultant. Few months passed and Sasha was not putting weight, was apathetic... I finally asked for help to a
vet in Spain who confirmed my fears.
We have lost many months. We could have treated her in March, when I picked her up. However, she was only
treated in November, when the Spanish vet confirmed my suspicions. Sasha has been treated for 18 months and in
February 2014, her analysis were so good that the Spanish veterinarian said to stop the treatment as the disease was
under control.
Sasha has also an unresolved problem with her right eye: it is always in tears. Vets in Albania have prescribed
Tobradex. I gave Tobradex for many months but again, no improvements. A Dutch vet said that it was probably an
obstruction of her drainage holes. This is impossible to treat in Albania.
Vaccination History
Name: SASHA
Microchip: 939000010405576
DHPP:
Leptospirosis:
Rabies:
Rabies:
DHPP:
Leptospirosis:
17/06/2012
17/06/2012
22/09/2012
31/03/2013
09/06/2013
09/06/2013
Medical History
Started
Treatment
Dosage
27/03/2012
Ivermectine
1 ml / 20 kg
07/04/2012
Ivermectine
1 ml / 20 kg
07/04/2012
Cefalexine
30 mg / kg
03/06/2012
Tobradex
1
19/06/2012
Tobradex
1
07/07/2012
Ivermectine
1 ml / 20 kg
14/07/2012
Leishmania test
1
20/07/2012
Omega 3
1
18/09/2012
Tobradex
1
29/09/2012
Praziquantel
2 pills
29/09/2012
Antiparasite
1
27/10/2012
Antiparasite
1
28/10/2012
Drug to avoid heat
1
29/10/2012
Blood Analysis
1
01/11/2012
Glucantime
100 mg/ kg
01/11/2012
Alopurinol
1,5 tab/day
09/01/2013
Blood Analysis
1
09/02/2013
Blood Analysis
1
10/02/2013
Praziquantel
1 pill / 10 kg
14/03/2013
Blood Sample
1
21/04/2013
Spayed
1
28/04/2013
Antiparasite collar
1
07/05/2013
Blood Sample
1
18/05/2013
Blood Analysis
1
29/05/2013
Glucantime
6,7 ML
29/05/2013
Alopurinol
20 mg / kg
04/06/2013
Enalapril
0,5 mg / kg
04/06/2013
Enalapril
0,5 mg/kg
11/06/2013
Glucantime
6,7 ml
11/06/2013
Alopurinol
20 mg / kg
11/06/2013
Enalapril
0,5 mg / kg
15/06/2013
Tobradex
2drops/eye
Name: SASHA
Microchip: 939000010405576
30/06/2013
Tobradex
2 drops/eye
28/08/2013
Blood Analysis
1
Diet
Started
18/09/2012
Movements
Type
Canned food + Power Dog + Oleo Vivo or Salmon
Oil
No one has ever shown interest in Sasha.
Her story
https://www.facebook.com/130780233745510/photos/a.175249812631885.1073741828.130780233745510/364641623692702/?type=1&theater
https://www.facebook.com/130780233745510/photos/a.175249812631885.1073741828.130780233745510/363411900482341/?type=1&theater
Sasha was roaming in the streets, sick, beaten, neglected and abused. Her eyes were terribly sad and her
body language was clearly showing fear, distrust and depression: hunched body, lowered head, flattened ears,
tucked tail, slightly leaning and looking off to the side. She needed help… I could not leave her while she was
shouting for a helping hand. I had a hard time to pick her, because she was just terrified of people. It took more
than 1 hour to make her feel confident enough to allow me to approach her. Finally, I managed to put a collar
and a leash. People were staring at me, as if I was walking naked in the streets. It was obvious that they did not
understand me... as it was obvious that I could not understand them: who on earth remains untouched by the
suffering and shape of this poor soul? When I had put the leash, a woman shouted: "NOW, KILL IT! I have
children and this dog is a real danger for them". I slowly turned my head to this woman shouting such a
nonsense and told her: "Good to know that you do not agree with helping those in need. When you will be sick,
I won't bring you to the hospital and I will let you die in the street". I left not without staring at this woman in the
same way she stared at me: for me, she was completely naked. After several months of treating her, Sasha
improved a lot, both in her physical conditions and in her attitude…. But something was telling me that Sasha
was not 100%. I thought about leishmania, but the vet said that he did not think so. I asked, anyway, for the test
which resulted negative. Several months later, Sasha was still skinny, long nails and with permanent eye
problems. I went to another clinic to do the leishmania test. Indeed, Sasha turned out to be positive. As soon as
the new vet saw the results, he wanted to put Sasha to sleep. Although this is the normal practice in Albania, I
refused. I asked for help abroad and the Head of Veterinarians of a Spanish shelter has been so keen to help
me out through the whole process and treatment. Sasha been treated twice with Glucantime. Her attitude and
behaviour have also changed: she is now a confident dog and has regained trust in human beings.
More pictures
https://plus.google.com/photos/102048042068774696602/albums/5792935164425113825?authkey=CI6E69GlrNfWJQ
Character
It took many months for Sasha to play with other dogs but I think it was only because she was really sick and felt very
weak. She is now interacting with other dogs normally and plays with them.
Sasha is not a leader but she is one of the top. When a new dog arrives, she must tell him or her that she is the
second one. Despite this display of hierarchy, Sasha has never undertaken a fight with any dog.
Sasha has seen many dogs passing through The Embassy: they all went to families abroad… but Sasha remained.
Sasha has “lost” many good friends of her: Engi, Shanta, Cleo (with leishmania too). Every time a friend goes, she is
sad. You can see it in her eyes and behavior: she spends most of her day lying down. But Sasha is a survivor and
she knows how to make good friends. In fact, she has managed to have our old gentleman Max playing with her! So
beautiful to see!
Name: SASHA
Microchip: 939000010405576
In front of humans, Sasha is submissive and obedient. She is pretty intelligent and is not very much demanding.
However, she loves being pet.
She is a good guardian and barks when a stranger is around.
I have seen Sasha desperately barking at cats, but my guess is that she would soon understand that the cats at home
are not to be touched.
With kids, she avoids them. I guess that she has been beaten and thrown stoned by gangs of kids.
Sasha is an exceptional patient: she has been enduring all sorts of medical treatments without any complain!
I guess that there are little chances for her to be adopted. A pity, because she is a fantastic dog and would be an
excellent companion for people living alone or for mature people willing to have a quiet dog.
Name: SASHA
Microchip: 939000010405576
Log
Date
Type
Details
27/03/2012 History
Rescued from Sauk, with a terrible mange. Very thin, almost a skeleton. I
bring her to the vet clinic (Bledi). Prescription: Treatment against mange and
antibiotics. She remains hospitalised.
31/03/2012 History
Discharged. I bring her to the shelter and put her in isolation.
07/04/2012 History
First Treatment against mange + cefaloxin.
14/04/2012 History
Second treatment ivermectine against mange.
21/04/2012 History
third treatment against mange. Treatment with cefalexin finished today.
01/06/2012 Group
Group "special needs". In front of the house.
03/06/2012 History
She has a problem with her eye: I give her Tobradex. She is not putting
weight and most of her body still lacks of hair. I restart a treatment against
mange (ivermectin + cefaloxina). I give her also yeast to help her nutritional
status. I ask Bledi about a possible leishmania and he says it is not, that I
should trust him.
19/06/2012 History
She is on heat. I bring her to Bledi for spaying but he says that she has a
problem with her lungs: one of them only works at 30% and says that the
operation is a risk. He does not want to operate. The only way to keep her
safe from pregnancy is to keep her isolated for 3 weeks.
19/06/2012 History
She still has problems with her eyes but the vet says it is not important and to
give Tobradex. I fear it is leishmania but Bledi says it is not.
06/07/2012 History
Her fur is still lacking of hair and, although she has put some weight, it is not
enough. Bledi says to restart a treatment against mange and that this is not
leishmania.
07/07/2012 History
First treatment against mange (1 ml ivermectin)
14/07/2012 Analysis
I insist to Bledi: I think Sasha has leishmania. He finally brings me to the
hospital in Kombinat to do the rapid test. It results negative.
14/07/2012 History
As Bledi sees me so worried about Sasha, he says to give her omega 3.
15/07/2012 History
Second treatment against mange
20/07/2012 History
Treatment with omega 3 (1 pill a day)
22/07/2012 History
Third treatment against mange
17/09/2012 History
While I have been away, Berti has not given her the omega3, despite he says
he did: all the pills are still there.
18/09/2012 History
Omega 3 in the morning. In the afternoon: Power dog vitamins + salmon oil.
She still has problems with her eye: start again Tobradex.
29/09/2012 History
Tapeworm (2) + antifleas.
02/10/2012 History
Sasha is not recovering. She is still too thin. I keep on thinking that she has
leishmania.
19/10/2012 History
Nina attacks her. Sasha is petrified. No damages, though.
27/10/2012 History
Antiflea. I brought her to Halit to give her the shot to avoid to be on heat, as
Bledi said her lungs were only working at 30%. I have contacted Marcelo
concerning Sasha and Sweet and my feelings that they both have
Name: SASHA
Microchip: 939000010405576
Leishmania. He has requested some analyses for the liver and the kidneys. I
have no clue how to do them....
28/10/2012 History
Halit Injection to avoid the period.
The vet hospital in Sauk can do the analyses. The vets at the hospital say that
they are all ok. I do not ask for the rapid test for leishmania: I am convinced
29/10/2012 Analysis she has it. CREA:0,726 mg/l. GOT (AST): 48.7 U/l. GTP (ALT): 11.4 U/l. URE
37.3 m/l Marcelo indicates to start the treatment with Glucantime + alopurinol.
31/10/2012 History
Halit: He says that Sasha must be eutanasied because she is leishmania
positive. I said: "No way!"
01/11/2012 History
Starting the treatment against leishmania: 1 Alopurinol (6 months) + 5ml
Glucantime (1 month). Blerina, the vet assistant of Halit, finds Glucantime at
3000 EUR 5 vials + Alopurinol (7 pills at 1000 LEK).
02/11/2012 History
She is ok. Alopurinol at 1,5 pastilles per day. I find Alopurinol in a human
pharmacy: 50 pills 500 LEK! Blerina is a thief!
01/12/2012 History
Finished the treatment with Glucantime
Blood Results 2 months after having finished the treatment with glucantime:
09/02/2013 Analysis CREA: 0.698 mg/dl. GOT(AST): 24,1 U/l. GTP (ALT): 10.8 u/L Marcelo says
that he needs Total Proteins albumine. Who does that in Albania????
13/02/2013 History
Halit: He does not want to spay Sasha because she has leishmania.
14/03/2013 History
Blood sample for rabies test (Arben and Qirill)
21/04/2013 History
Neutered at Adi. Treatment: penstrep + 2 injections of K for hemorragies.
22/04/2013 History
Sasha's gums are very pale. Is she anemic? I ask Marcelo and he says to do
an hemogram... Again, where can I find someone doing such analyses?
Results requested by Marcelo: Proteina total = 4.88 Albumina = 1.90
Globulina = 2.98 (these are low values. I am worried) results hemogram
(suggested by Marcelo): WBC = 6.8 LYM = 5.3 MON = 0.8 GRA = 0.7 LYM%
18/05/2013 Analysis
= 78.1 MON% = 11.7 GRA% = 10.2 RBC = 4.62 HGB = 11.6 HCT = 32.9
MCV = 71.2 MCH = 25.1 MCHC = 35.3 RDW 13.2 PLT = 184 MPV = 10.9
PCT = 0.201 PDW = 11.9
19/05/2013 History
The Albumine is low, which means that the leishmania is affecting the kidney.
As the dose of Glucantime given by Halit was not correct (only 1,5 mg of
glucantime instead of the 2,5 mg corresponding to her weight), the leishmania
has reappeared again and Sasha must be again treated with glucantime!
28/05/2013 Weight
20 kg
29/05/2013 History
Starts treatment with Glucantime (100 mg/kg = 6.7 ml) and keeps taking
alopurinol.
04/06/2013 History
Marcelo: Start treatment with Enalapril (0,5 mg/kg)
08/06/2013 Weight
22 Kg
Adi Follow up leishmania GOT (AST): 30.1 GTP (ALT): 47.0 Bilirrubina total:
06/09/2013 Analysis 0.75 Bilirrubina directa: 0.20 Urea: 42 Crea: 1.0 Proteina total: 6.83 Albumina:
2.05 Globulina: 4.78
23/09/2013 History
Marcelo's treatment as per the analysis of 6 September: Keep her under
alopurinol and enalapril. She is not bad, but she has not improved. The
Albumine continues to be low.
23/01/2014 Analysis Blood sample for Follow up leishmania
Name: SASHA
Microchip: 939000010405576