The medical news on Teddy is, well, mixed. Our veterinary team in Helena continues to make progress in treating his diabetes -- his glucose levels have dropped from the mid-600s to the 300s and continue to edge downward (goal is to be 100-120). However, on his abdominal ultrasound our vets discovered both bladder stones and "thickened material" in his gallbladder, suggesting that the bile duct was plugged. Diabetes is one of those diseases that is made worse by any other disease or illness present in the body, and it's much more difficult to regulate unless those other disorders are cleared up.
So ... our vet Dr. Brenda Culver is going to operate on Teddy on Thursday to remove the bladder stones and do exploratory surgery to try and figure out what is going on with his gallbladder. There is definitely risk involved with this. But both Brenda and our other vet who is handling Teddy's diabetes treatment, Dr. Jennifer Rockwell, believe that the best shot we have for giving Teddy as much time as possible is to eliminate these other problems and thus increase our ability to regulate his diabetes. Otherwise, the diabetes will be a losing battle long term.
Jennifer reports this evening that Teddy is continuing to eat well (he's a little pig!). One of the sanctuary's wonderful friends in Helena saw Teddy yesterday at the clinic and told me he "looked real good, very alert."
Please continue to keep this little tyke in your thoughts!
Teddy you are wonderful! You are in my thoughts and prayers.I just want to hug that little guy!
Posted by: DT | July 30, 2009 at 07:20 PM
Feel better soon Teddy so you can go home to your wonderful new life at RDR! Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers sweet boy.
Posted by: Beverly | July 29, 2009 at 08:08 PM
It has been easy for me to take a minute every day since April to vote for your sanctuary... especially when animals like Teddy get all the chances they deserve to heal and thrive at your ranch. Congrats and know that many of us continue to check on Callie, Teddy and others every day.
XO and licks, Libby
Posted by: Libby | July 29, 2009 at 04:00 PM
What a cutie! I sure hope the surgery does the trick. Sending love and kisses to Teddy.
Posted by: Lynda | July 29, 2009 at 01:56 PM
Sending healthy pleas to the Cosmos for Teddy. Hoping everything goes well and that cutie pie has lots of time left to enjoy the love at RDR
Posted by: Miranda | July 29, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Congrats on the win!! I have been voting everyday for you. I love your blog and the work you do gives me hope for a brighter future for all animals.
Posted by: Stacy Griffith | July 29, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Teddy is looking better to me - as though he is filling out a bit. Glad he is eating like a little piggy! Go Teddy!!!
Posted by: Angela | July 29, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Gosh - I sure hope everything goes well. Please let us know. I will be thinking of him!
Posted by: Suzanne | July 29, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Poor Teddy! Bladder surgery is not fun. Been there, done that... with my dog, Jack. It was tough for about a week after (especially the first couple of days), but the stones are out and that's what counts.
We'll keep Teddy in our prayers and hope for good results!
Posted by: Linda | July 29, 2009 at 10:18 AM
Teddy's pictures shows a pup feeling a little better.
He's in out thoughts as he enters surgery; he's got the best doc's so we know he'll be in great hands!
Posted by: boundforglory | July 29, 2009 at 09:33 AM
Poor thing. He's so cute. I prya he pulls through abd has a few good years at the ranch. Well worth spending the money. Let us know if you need to start a Teddy Fund.
Posted by: gayle | July 29, 2009 at 08:50 AM
Congratulations on the Shelter win! I thanked all the people who I had asked to vote every day for their help and support for the Ranch. Look what we were able to accomplish! Teddy looks like he feels better already in the photo. Hopefully the surgery will produce more good news which will help get his diabetes under control. I'll be glad when he's back home with you guys. We're all sending good wishes his way.
Posted by: Barb Ribinski | July 29, 2009 at 08:50 AM
Teddy stole my hear the moment I saw him...I once rescued an old little yorkie with deformed hips who was only 3lbs...he had severe allergies, too. Teddy reminds me a lot of him...I managed to fatten Wart up to 5 pounds and his last few years were lived with me as his devoted slave....I hope Teddy has the same kind of future..regardless of how long that may be.
Posted by: Debbie | July 29, 2009 at 08:34 AM
What a little sweet little angel!! I will keep Teddy in my heart and will think good thoughts for him...
Posted by: Tia Rosetti-Mills | July 29, 2009 at 08:31 AM
Teddy, sweetheart, I have been praying for you baby boy & I will continue. I will also be praying for your doctors that God will continue to guide them in healing you & getting you on the road to recovery.
Hang in there Steve & Alayne.
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | July 29, 2009 at 03:34 AM
i am sending much love and strength to little Teddy. keep us posted on what i am sure will be the optimistic updates!
Posted by: Rachael | July 29, 2009 at 12:08 AM
Oh Teddy.. You just tug at my heart strings!! Lots of good thoughts coming your way from Downunder!!
Posted by: Maree in NZ | July 29, 2009 at 12:04 AM
I was hoping for news about Teddy. Hang in there, little guy. You have wonderful people helping you now, so hold on and let them give you a chance for a good quality of life in your "retirement". I just want to snuggle you up.
Posted by: Barb | July 28, 2009 at 11:17 PM
In the above picture you can tell he already looks so much better!! Teddy is in our thoughts and prayers. What a special little fella but aren't they all.
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | July 28, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Teddy looks much healthier in this photo.....I hope because he is getting some nourishment now. I know surgery is never something to look forward to but if it will help him get better and feel better, then that is awesome!
Like Callie before him, Teddy will have lots of love and prayers sent his way by RDR followers. How can you not root for this little cutie patootie who had such a hard time of it in life up to this point?
Posted by: Marla | July 28, 2009 at 09:30 PM
Send my love and positive thoughts that Teddy will soon be romping around in the fields with all the others very soon!!!! Cheers Teddy.......xoxo
Posted by: Joanne Cottle | July 28, 2009 at 09:05 PM
Teddy, of course you're in my thoughts. I hope you will be do well in your surgery. I'll be thinking of you. You deserve the best. I'll bet you're feeling better already.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | July 28, 2009 at 09:01 PM