"Peaches"

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On 3rd June 2023, the New Zealand Chihuahua Rescue Trust welcomed our most intensive rescue case yet - “Peaches,” a skinny, terrified, and blind little stray from the Pound. Estimated to be only 2-4 years old, Peaches was already in rough shape when she came to us. However, she has had quite the medical journey since, thanks to all of her vets and loving supporters. Despite her special needs, Peaches' enjoyment of life and quirky little personality remain undiminished. With specialist medical treatment, Peaches has regained much of her cognitive function and even her sight! After over a year in foster care, this once unwanted, skinny, and sickly little rescue dog has blossomed into a clever, snuggly companion who has fought hard for her life and now finds joy in the simplest pleasures. 

Peaches can only be described as a resilient, clever, quirky, sweet-natured and loving little dog by those who know her best. 

"Peachy" as she is sometimes affectionately referred to has a quirky, goofy little side to her personality as she enjoys zoomies, mouths gently when excited and chases bugs. Peaches is a very expressive little dog, despite not making much sound vocally. She will show her appreciation with kisses and an enthusiastic wiggle of her little tail! 

Peaches' favourite things are: dinners and treats, a cuddle or nap on the human bed, a walk on her lead and to sniff around the park, driving around in her car booster seat. Peaches also loves rolling in the grass, playing with her enrichment toys, snufflemat or Lickimat and sleeping in a fluffy bed in the sun. 

During the day, aside from a nap, Peaches loves a snuggle, but she’ll also happily hang out and amuse herself in her play pen, with one of her enrichment toys or mats. Peaches is happy to join you on errands - she has a booster seat and enjoys accompanying you on a ride. 

Familiarity for Peaches is comfort. Peaches is okay with general household noise, as she has adapted over time. But like many humans, she is most comfortable at her home environment. Peaches does enjoy the odd outing but care must be taken to avoid overwhelming her - Peaches isn't a behavioural case who would benefit from a lot of new environments or social interaction, she is a brain-damaged dog who needs special considerations.

Peaches usually does well when introduced to other pets in passing (provided they aren't boisterous or near "her human" when she is). But she can be possessive of her foster mum when on her lap and other dogs approach.  We also ensure that she is not fed around other dogs (or given treats), as she can be food possessive and start fights!

Peaches can be a bit of a "one-person" girlie, as many Chihuahuas are. She is loving and loyal to her person - but also extremely reliant on them for safety, food, routine and comfort, so this is understandable. 

Peaches will be visibly excited to see you when you come home, as she prefers the familiarity of the person she trusts. Peaches is slowly learning new people aren't scary (as long as they don't invade her space) she is capable of accepting newcomers as long as they're patient and don't overwhelm her. Peaches has the courage to approach and sniff new people but should be ignored so she can come around in her own time. Too much interaction with the outside world and strangers will tire her and risk her progress. We've found she is very content with being in the home and an occasional visit out in the car. Peaches is a home girlie!

Although she has brain damage, Peaches is very clever. She has learnt commands like "up!" to  indicate someone is going to be picking her up. Plus "dinner",  "outside" and "toilets". Peaches has been trained to drink from a rabbit  dropper, pen and crate-trained. Peaches loves her chew toys, her enrichment toys and licki-mats and they give her brain an opportunity to engage. Peaches will let you know when she wants to be taken outside, fed, or picked up.  

Most of the time, Peaches' is alert, bright, inquisitive loving and sweet. Occasionally, she may have an "off day" where she sleeps more and is less tolerant of new people or other dogs around her. This is to be expected, and we just roll with however the day is for her!

Although she is not your "standard" dog, Peaches now has a great quality of life and often shows her moments of joy in a truly heart-warming way, she has taught us a lot about rescue dogs and their resilience. 

Peaches' is a special needs dog, but that doesn't mean she has a poor quality of life. She is actually very clever in terms of her cognitive ability; which continues to improve due to her treatments. 

Peaches presented with neurological symptoms on her arrival in Christchurch - constant circling, unsteadiness, constant restlessness and sadly, almost full vision loss. Thanks to the help of our supporters, on 31st June 2023, Peaches underwent a neurological ultrasound and MRI which led to the start of this monumental journey.

Diagnosis: 

The MRI scan shows pockets of inflammation and swelling throughout the brain, which is consistent with an auto-immune cause. Peaches' likely diagnosis is: Meningoencephalitis of Unknown Etiology ("MUE") – this means essentially something has caused Peaches the immune system to attack her brain which has led to her symptoms. 

Peaches has had the care of a dedicated and supportive foster team while with our charity. We have also collected a very passionate, caring and experienced team of veterinarians, specialists and Neurologists (read more on this below) to ensure she has the best chance at life. We are seeing great results under their advice and hope this will continue with the benefit of time!

Since beginning medical treatments, the difference in her (to those who met and cared for her initially) is astounding. Peaches is much more bright, alert, calm and content than she was previously. Peaches’ two biggest symptoms were the almost total blindness and the tight circling to the left when you put her on the ground.

It’s heart-warming to see Peaches begin normal dog stuff - rolling on grass or grooming herself. Peaches is reclaiming more of her functions and personality each day. Plus focusing on helping her realize her independence and a “normal dog” routine.

Peaches is on 3-weekly infusions of Cyterbrine (she recently had her #21st infusion weekend on 17th August 2024) Peaches is also taking Prednisone, Atopica, Omeprezole , Gabapentin daily and a sleeping pill if needed. We are currently slowly reducing these under the guidance of her specialists. We need to balance the desire to save her organs any damage by remaining on such high doses with the need to ensure she's not reduced too suddenly and suffers a relapse of symptoms.

Peaches has been doing so well, we were able to have her spayed on 22nd April 2024. Peaches also has regular consults with her vets, and bloods every 3 weeks to check organ function.

Prognosis: 

Since beginning the infusions, Peaches has regained sight and control of things like her speed balance and co-ordination. Peaches' awareness and cognitive ability has increased ten-fold. Peaches now sleeps in a crate, knows commands, walks on a lead, will indicate when she needs the toilet, goes up stairs, and acknowledges her surroundings, people and other dogs in a manner she couldnt previously.

After meeting Peaches' and determining she had neurological issues, we put in a lot of time, consideration and research, into considering whether it was possible for a small charity like ours to provide funding for Peaches' treatment. Alongside evaluating Peaches' quality of life, possible prognosis. We are so thankful for the support we have received and the kind donations - as this is what has got Peaches this far! The treatment could completely resolve all the serious  symptoms and send the disease into remission. Peaches could live (somewhat) normally and so far, all signs have been all positive.

Peaches cannot be vaccinated, flea or wormed as this could ramp up her immune system once more to attack her brain (causing a relapse)

We continue to raise funds to cover Peaches' daily medication costs, her diagnostics, and any other essential medical or living costs. Peaches' neurologists and vets are happy with her progress over the past year. They would like to do a CT scan or repeat MRI and a spinal tap in order to see whether the images and spinal fluid shows she is in remission.

On 11th December 2024, Peaches went swiftly downhill. As a result, we had to cease all of her medications for a few days. The vets suspected Peaches had an infection in her liver and were gravely concerned she had developed sepsis. It was "touch and go" for a few days. Peaches was in/out of the vet clinic, either hospitalised on an IV or closely monitored at home with pain medications, strong antibiotics and lots of love and support.

Like the brave trooper she is, Peaches was able to make an astounding recovery, which shocked even the vets who were treating her! As a result of this recent medical scare, we have had to pause Peaches' Cyterabine infusions (which were to suppress her immune system or MUE response) o allow her body the time needed to recover.

Peaches has come so far and transformed so much. Her journey is nothing short of a miracle, but it’s not over yet. Peaches continues to require ongoing support for urgent care, specialist consultations, and vital treatments. Every dollar makes a difference — whether it’s $5 or $50, your support helps cover her medical expenses!

To donate directly to the Charity (Westpac) Trust Account:

The New Zealand Chihuahua Rescue: 

03-0823-0074502-000 Ref: “Peaches”

Swift code (for international bank deposits) is: WPACNZ2W
 

For debit or credit card options please see:

• NZ Chihuahua Rescue Paypal
• NZ Chihuahua Rescue Givealittle page

We are so grateful for your support, it has meant Peaches has been given a second chance at life! Peaches is not only surviving, but thriving, thanks to your support. Please don't forget to contact us via email for a tax receipt for 33.33% of any donation $5 or above  from the IRD as we are a registered New Zealand charity (CC5509).

Thanks to your generous support, Peaches has received the following consultations, diagnostics, and treatments (ongoing today). We deeply appreciate your assistance and are happy to provide a breakdown of the costs covered by the trust for peaches for the sake of transparency and appreciation towards her Donators.

Daily medications (as per her dosage at January 2024):

• Atopica = $158.56 per month
• Omeprezole = $63.26 per month
• Triazadone = $48.18 per month
• Prednisone = $11.79 per month
• Gabapentin - $15.40 per month

 = $297.19 per month daily medication fee (approx)

Infusions costs (ie. every 3 weeks):

• Cytarabine (drug/medication) (5 pack) = $842.66, imported from USA.
• Clinic IV infusion days = $715.30 (when her infusions are administered by IV over 8-hour in clinic she is admitted and this does incurr additional fees, cost is approx, per infusion day).
• Monthly bloods (ie. diagnostic and consult costs) = $99.75 (with discount - every 3 weeks following her Cytarabine treatment Peaches has a CBC blood test to check her blood cells.

Miscellaneous Peachy Health/Medical Expenses:

• Physio consult = $95.00 (per 30 mins consult)
• Vet consult = $45.00 (per consult)
• Neurologist consult = $748.00 (per 60 mins consult)
• Initial diagnostics: MRI, radiology costs and ultrasound (17 June 2023) = $3,910.60
• Nasal x-ray diagnostics and flush (August 2023) = $585.63

New Zealand Chihuahua Rescue would like to extend a HUGE thank you to:

• The generous and caring supporters who have donated to Peaches. 
• The team of kind and caring vets who have  cared for Peaches: the team at Christchurch After Hours Vet Clinic, Dr Karen Valu (Dr K Rehab Vet), the lovely team at McMaster & Heap, Dr Michelle McMaster, Dr Terryne Loney and Dr Steve Heap. Plus her current treating vets, Dr Tracey Tonkin (Shirley Vet Clinic) in conjunction with Neurologist specialist (USA) Dr Nicholas DePompa (of Southeast Veterinary Neurology see: wwwsevneurology.com)