01/12/2023
Do you live in California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington or Nevada? Do you have it in your heart to open your home to a "medical special needs" Wirehaired Pointing Griffon PUPPY?
I am posting this to our Supreme Point Page in an effort to help another Griff owner. This is not our breeding, nor is this pup's issue a result of poor breeding or husbandry.
We are seeking to help place a very special boy. He was born in April of 2022. He is not neutered and at full growth, will be about 65 #. At about 6 months of age, he started to exhibit signs of pain. He has had a CT scan, CSF tab, bloodwork, and evaluations by an orthopedist and a neurologist. There is no firm diagnosis at this time, but possibilities are atypical Steroid Responsive Meningitis, autoimmune disorder or other type of inflammatory condition. He has responded fairly well to Prednisone.
Currently, he is not very painful and has a good quality of life. He walks, trots and sometimes will jump up on the furniture. He is also quite playful as he should be for a puppy. He has had several relapses, about every 6 weeks since October. When he relapses, he is more painful, will cry out when getting up from lying flat, is reluctant to turn his head to the left, and is more reluctant to play, trot, run or jump. Currently, the relapses are much less painful than previously and he seems to do very well with slow walks and short hikes. We are hoping that this is something he will grow out of. The prognosis is not predictable due to an unclear diagnosis. The current plan is to wean him off of prednisone to see if there are any changes.
This puppy LOVES people and is extremely affectionate. He will follow at the owner's heels and typical of a nice Griff, will want to be loved on and petted whenever you are working down at his level. He is fully housebroken, rides well in a car/truck and never chews/destroys anything that isn't meant for him to chew on. He will stick close when off leash walking and checks in appropriately.
Barks at bumps in the night like a good, protective dog. Good with other dogs after initial introduction. When he meets new dogs in public, he pretends he’s aloof but waits for them to ignore him then he goes in for the butt sniff. After a good sniff, his tail comes up and he wags and is great from thereafter. But because he hurts, he scolds hard when another dog jumps on and hurts him. He likes to get on the bed for a cuddle but prefers to sleep on a bed on the ground. Comes up for another snuggle in the morning. Loves splashing in kiddie pool in the summer and romping in the snow in winter. I imagine cats wouldn’t be an issue as his prey drive is less due to his low energy. He absolutely loves his people and would make a fine only dog or be fine in a home with other dogs. He is up to date on vaccines including rabies.
This pup will need a calm household where other pets, if present will not jump on him. He would do best where he can be loved on, walked regularly, swim/play and generally be a great companion.
His prospective owners need to be able to pick this pup up in person (within driving distance to northern CA/Nevada), follow up on his medical care and should live in an area where there is a veterinary neurologist available. Doing something like Canine Nosework would be awesome for him for mental stimulation. In addition, an owner who would be willing to see a veterinary acupuncturist or rehab/PT would be a bonus. Most of the major diagnostics for him have already been done, but routine followup for medication adjustments and rehab/acupuncture is required.
I have posted his photos below. If you have interest in helping to give this guy a chance at a decent life, please PM me. He is in a safe place with his owners right now, but their household is not the best environment for him lifelong given the number of highly active dogs present and the special attention he needs.
