It's a Pittie Rescue

Mark your calendars and vote for It’s A Pittie Rescue! BISSELL Pet Foundation is having a special ‘Hope for the Holidays’ Facebook Contest. From Dec. 9 through Dec. 20, they will be giving away over $4,000 in amazing BISSELL Products to their Facebook fans and $1,000 each day to a Partners for Pets member organization. That’s $12,000 up for grabs! Please tell your friends/family to vote for It’s A Pittie Rescue!

Deb has once again, graciously started a PartyLite fundraiser. Now’s the time to try a great fall scent and have the proceeds go to It’s a Pittie Rescue! Use the PayPal buttons below to make your purchases. 50% of your order will be donated to It’s A Pittie Rescue! This is an ongoing fundraiser with orders submitted bi-monthly. Scent descriptions are available here: www.partylite.biz/deboneill

3 Wick Jar Candle Scents Burns 35-55 hours

Holiday Spices (Ivory) $25.00 USD Mulberry (burgundy) $25.00 USD Cinnamon & Bayberry (red) $25.00 USD Mango Tangerine (yellow-orange) $25.00 USD Pomegranate & Cassis (rose) $25.00 USD Pumpkin Apple Cider (dark tan) $25.00 USD Cherry Blossom (coral pink) $25.00 USD Vanilla Citron (ivory) $25.00 USD White Tea & Fir (light sage green) $25.00 USD Strawberry Rhubarb (mauve) $25.00 USD

Escential Jar Candle Scents burns 40-60 hrs

Holiday Spices (Ivory) $15.00 USD Mulberry (burgundy) $15.00 USD Cinnamon & Bayberry (red) $15.00 USD Mango Tangerine (yellow-orange) $15.00 USD Pomegranate & Cassis (rose) $15.00 USD Pumpkin Apple Cider (dark tan) $15.00 USD Cherry Blossom (coral pink) $15.00 USD Vanilla Citron (ivory) $15.00 USD White Tea & Fir (light sage green) $15.00 USD Strawberry Rhubarb (mauve) $15.00 USD

We all do what we can to protect the dogs we love. While we try to avoid unnecessary risks by keeping dogs away from things we know aren’t good for them such as chocolate and toxic plants, there are always new things to learn. There is a dog illness that while relatively uncommon, is on the rise. This potentially fatal illness is called blastomycosis. It can steal your dog’s sight in days or in the worst cases, their life.

-What is Blastomycosis? Blastomycosis (also referred to as “Blasto”) is a systemic disease caused by the blastomyces dermatitidis fungus. Once its spores are inhaled, it causes a yeast to rapidly grow in the lungs. The fungus may then may then spread to other tissue causing additional severe symptoms.

-What are the symptoms? Some common Blasto symptoms are loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, decreased stamina, respiratory ailments, swollen lymph glands, and eye infections or lesions (particularly those that impact the iris). Bloody or pus filled skin lesions which do not heal may also develop as a result of fungal spores entering those areas externally.

-How does a dog get Blasto? Dogs may contract Blasto by inhaling the spores of the blastomyces dermatitidis fungus. The fungus is most often found in damp, dark, wooded areas. Very dry settings may also facilitate transmission as dusty soil that gets kicked up by digging and foraging may contain the spores. In the US, most cases occur in the South, Midwest, and Upper Plains States but is not limited to those areas. Blasto spores may also be picked up in open sores and wounds. It is important to note most infected dogs live within 400 meters of a body of water.

-Why is Chicago a haven for Blasto? The lake has something to do with it because soil by the water is the primary place to get that disease. A majority of cases are seen in the spring because the conditions are ideal for the fungus.

-I’m concerned my dog is showing symptoms of Blasto. What do I do? It is very important blastomycosis be diagnosed early so treatment can begin as soon as possible. An incorrect diagnosis that leads to initial treatment with antibiotics may actually worsen the disease. Blasto is often incorrectly diagnosed as cancer or Lyme Disease, so alert your veterinarian if your dog may have been exposed to fungal spores in a damp, dark, high risk area in the previous 6 weeks. Tests to reach a correct diagnosis may include lung x-rays, examination of lymph node cells, and urine analysis.

-Treatment: Blasto is currently treated long term with antifungal medication. Current treatment options may cause side-effects that require careful monitoring and tends to be quite costly. It can range anywhere from 5000.00 to 10,000 to treat one dog with Blasto. Dietary changes may also be necessary to promote the best possible nutrition to help the dog maintain and rebuild strength.

Prognosis: Early detection and treatment are essential to a good outcome. Of dogs that begin treatment, 25% do not survive, most often due respiratory failure. As you start the treatment, and the fungus starts to die, it lets loose in the lungs and can cause them to go into respiratory failure at any time during the first few weeks of treatment. There is also a reported 25% relapse rate. It can take up to a year of treatment to completely rid the body of this fungus.

Prevention: Dogs most certainly will be dogs, so it makes it hard to avoid conditions where the blastomyces dermatitidis fungus lives. When possible, limit your dog’s exposure to damp, dark areas where there is a lot of decaying material. While the shores of swampy areas and ponds provide great smells, they are high risk areas for fungus. When it is time to be outdoors, try to choose drier, sunny areas for hikes and other adventures.

As your dog’s best friend, being well informed and able to communicate effectively with their healthcare provider is one of the most important things you can do to keep your pal healthy and happy. Hopefully, taking a few simple steps and being alert to your dog’s surroundings will let you share your life with your canine pal for many years to come.

****It’s A Pittie Rescue is currently caring for a loving pitbull named Lenny who has blastomycosis. Three of his systems are affected by this disease: his eyes, his lungs, and his skin. It has caused blindness in his eyes, he keeps developing lesions on his skin that burst open, and it causes major congestion in the lungs. If you would like to help with Lenny’s treatment costs please feel free to submit a donation by clicking the ‘Donation’ link (on the right-hand side of this page). Every little bit helps and is greatly appreciated.

During the month of August, It’s A Pittie Rescue will receive 6% of all Fromm sales from Two Bostons Naperville locations! So if you know anyone that uses Fromm or lives near Naperville, please direct them to Two Bostons either on 75th Street or Downtown Naperville. Thank you for your support!
For location information: http://www.twobostons.com

To All It’s A Pittie Rescue Supporters:
This is an online fundraiser from now until August 12th which will allow you to purchase customized floating lockets, custom designed floating lockets for you or that special person. ALL proceeds will be donated back to It’s A Pittie! Please let them know you are with the IPR Fundraiser.
Shopping URL: www.southhilldesigns.com/simplycharmed

Lockets range from $22-$38:: Charms are $5:: Droplets are $6-$7:: All lockets do come with a simple chain, however, other chains are available for upgrade. Checkout her Facebook page for locket ideas: www.facebook.com/simplycharmedbystephanie
If you have questions, please contact:
Stephanie Watson (Artist ID #34032) simply.charmed@yahoo.com
**This fundraiser is not combinable with any other offers**

Sue Simon with NYR Organic will be donating 20% of sales to It’s A Pittie Rescue from orders placed with ‘IPR’ after the customer name! They sell affordable, organic health and beauty products. You can visit www.ssimonorganic.com and click NYR to see their products. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Sue Simon – Independent Consultant – 708-285-5655.

Get $10 off any BarkBox subscription and support IT’S A PITTIE RESCUE! For every coupon used on www.BarkBox.com, our rescue will get a $10 donation from BarkBox. Be sure to use our special promo code: IAPRBBX1 Help us meet our goal of 100 subscriptions and raise $1,000

For a complete list of our current fundraisers please checkout the It’s A Pittie Rescue Facebook event page: It’s A Pittie CURRENT FUNDRAISERS

Please checkout the following It’s A Pittie Rescue fundraiser: The Artwork of Brittany Farina.
http://www.brittanyfarina.com/product/mama-petunia-tribute/

20% of each sale goes to It’s a Pittie Rescue (must spend $20 for the 20% donation to be applied). Mama Petunia Tribute Items: 3 x 3 Magnet $6, 8 x 8 Inch Print $16, and a Pendant Necklace $20.

Brittany Farina is a digital illustrator/painter located in South-Eastern Wisconsin. She uses a Wacom tablet to create most of her works.

Our amazing volunteers collaborated to put together a list of facts about our favorite breed, and then volunteer Traci Bale arranged it all into a beautiful brochure! If you would like to print this out and keep it around, or hand out, please download the file. Can be printed in full color or black and white (obviously full color looks better ). Must be printed double-sided, flip on long edge. Brochure is meant to be tri-fold. To view, click on this link. To save, right-click on the link and choose save as.

This stunning boy is about 3 years old and is in URGENT need of a foster (or forever) home! Gemini is about 55lbs and has tons of love to give. He loves to play fetch, knows basic commands and is currently working on loose leash walking. He loves walks & car rides. Gemini is very affectionate and sweet, loves kids…he’s a volunteer favorite!

If interested in Gemini, please fill out a foster or adoption application on our website to start the process!