TRISHA SHANKS
Arrow Lakes News
Beaux, a three-week-old Maremma Sheepdog, was at death’s door when his distraught owners turned to the internet for assistance. Desperate with a very ill puppy and late at night, Reny Kitto posted a shot-in-the-dark plea for an oxygen tank on the popular Facebook group Nakusp Communicator. Consoling comments and offers of help started pouring in immediately.
Beaux needed oxygen for a serious lung infection from aspirating on his puppy formula. He was born into a litter of 9 but as the runt, the decision was made to raise him by hand instead of allowing him to possibly perish in the large group of healthy siblings. Earlier in the day, he had seen two veterinarians in Vernon and in Kelowna but his situation remained serious. Because of the tremendous cost quoted for veterinary care at the overnight clinic in the city with no guarantee of success, owner Reny Kitto made the tough decision to decline treatment. He and partner Carlie Wilkinson returned to Nakusp armed with helpful suggestions from the vet who had examined Beaux.
“I picked his brain as much as I could thinking how can we get this guy to survive the night and tomorrow we will worry about tomorrow,” said Kitto.
Things took a turn for the worse Monday night, April 16, and the new vet, Dr. Robinson was unable to be reached at such a late hour. Kitto and Wilkinson knew he needed oxygen and put out a plea.
Kitto explained, “That’s when I posted does anybody have any oxygen because of his limited lung capacity and inability to absorb enough oxygen [from the air.]”
Local welder and businessman Coleman Mackintosh came to the rescue with a six-foot tank.
Wilkinson said, “It was perfect. We ended up stringing the hose through the house and put it straight into his little kiddie pool that we had him in, and encapsulated him in it.”
It worked. Beaux rallied and was able to get into the local vet the following morning. Dr Robinson examined him early Tuesday and the couple continues to care for him at home with her guidance.
“I am amazed at the support and love that this town has. Coleman has already hooked us up with more oxygen,” Wilkinson said, “Can’t thank the new doctor at the vet clinic enough. She’s been amazing.”
For now, he is on two courses of antibiotics, one of which is very aggressive but has the potential of serious side effects. His oxygen levels aren’t staying in a healthy range. His vital signs are slowly improving, he has a little more energy and a strong appetite.
“We have a Bella at home. She is an Akbasch, which is the cousin to the Maremma. Bella means pretty and now we have Beaux which means handsome,” said Kitto, “It’s amazing how many people are on there [Facebook] rooting for him. He lost one sibling, the first runt didn’t survive. It was a last ditch effort. We are at a place in our life where we needed this win.”