Chigo

CHIGO HAS BEEN ADOPTED! –

This adorable boy is 7 yr old Chigo. He was on our waitlist to be surrendered for cat aggression, when we received an urgent call that Chigo was in the ER. He was vomiting blood and hadn’t eaten for days. His family said he’d struggled with GI issues all his life and they couldn’t afford to properly diagnose or manage it. Dangerously close to his organs shutting down, the vet recommended euthanasia. We are grateful they declined and called us. He immediately became a rescue dog, so we could safe is life!

Chigo was released a few days later and went to a foster home. Unfortunately after just one night, the foster realized they wouldn’t be able to cope, so he needed to be moved again. Desperate, we reached out to Chris. He already having a full house with COSIR hospice dog, 17yr old Cece, his 2 year old Shiba, Mochi, and a blind senior cat. But Chris didn’t hesitate. He would be happy to foster Chigo too. 

We tried prescription diets recommended by the specialists, but he’d only last about a month before having another episode of not eating, diarrhea, and vomiting. We did ultrasounds, bloodwork, tried meds and more prescription diets, but to no avail. Finally an upper & lower GI scope ruled out cancer and diagnosed it as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).  A low dose of steroids to calm down his gut, combined with homemade food using vet-approved recipes worked! In time, he was weened off the steroids and remains stable. The daily combination of fresh food, probiotics, and Famotidine seems to do the trick.

Meanwhile, Chigo and Mochi were busy becoming BFFs. They are inseparable and cry for one another when Chigo has to go to the vet. Our old gal Cece accepted Chigo into the pack and he is ever so careful not to bump into her in his shenanigans with Mochi. Chigo even bonded with the cat, who in fact, he enjoys grooming. Not surprisingly, after all they had been through together, Chris informed us he couldn’t see letting this little dude go. He’s family and he’s home.

Congratulations and happy Shiba trails to Chris, Cece, Mochi and Chigo. And may you rest in peace sweet kitty. Thanks for showing Chigo that cats can be friends too.