Zara
Feeling much better now!
Please note: The dogs in ODH's Final Refuge care are not adoptable due to medical reasons and all are in permanent homes. Your sponsorship supports the veterinary expenses for these dogs - and we thank you!
Zara and her best friend Jenny came to Old Dog Haven after their owner passed away. A caring family member had been going to their home to care for them twice a day and she knew they both needed medical care and a stable home where they could stay together. Each dog has unaddressed medical issues that needed to be treated and a very experienced, long-time ODH foster home volunteered to make them part of the family.
Zara had not had much medical care and it definitely showed. Zara’s ears were in dreadful condition from chronic and untreated ear infections. Her ears smelled awful and her ear canals were completely closed. She has what we refer to as “cauliflower ears”. Zara was able to see a vet right away and she will need total ear canal ablation (TECA) surgery on both ears. This is called a Total Ear Canal Ablation and Bulla Osteotomy. This surgery involves the complete removal of the ear canal and tympanic bulla (middle ear), leaving only the pinna (ear flap) remaining. While we wait for her surgery, her forever foster mom will clean and treat her ears twice a day. There is still a very tiny opening into her ear canals and all of those growths and tissue harbor yeast and bacteria.
Zara will also need a dental. She will need weekly medicated baths and we will see if Cytopoint injections can help stop her from itching. She has a pretty mature cataract in her right eye; that will need to be monitored as cataracts in the eyes can lead to inflammation and painful eye conditions.
Zara has adapted well to her new home and is feeling much better because of the vet care she has received. She is now very frisky and full of energy. Her busy schedule includes wrestling with her favorite toys, chasing and playing with her best friend Jenny. She has also bonded with her foster dad and when she is not cuddling in his lap, she follows him everywhere.
Zara’s foster family is so happy watching her blossom into a happy senior who enjoys every day to the fullest.
Thank you to everyone who supports Old Dog Haven and helps bring renewed hope to neglected dogs like Zara.
Zara is sponsored by:
- Marilyn Dobbins of Oak Harbor, WA (01/31/2025)
- Elizabeth Longo of Auburn, WA (01/31/2025)
- Wanda & Dan Preston of Mineola, TX