NJ Schnauzer Rescue Network

Hazel is a very ill puppy that needs a $6,500 surgery to survive. She was born with a congenital portosystemic shunt, commonly known as a liver shunt. Normally, blood enters the liver to be cleansed of toxins. But with a liver shunt, the blood vessels bypass the liver and the toxins remain in the bloodstream. The side effects are stunted growth, poor muscle development, disorientation, staring into space, circling, head pressing and seizures.

Despite the pain, Hazel is a friendly puppy and loves everyone she meets. She gently plays with her stuffed animals, especially her favorite reindeer, and wants to snuggle. 

If her liver shunt is not repaired, Hazel will die. But NJSRN is committed to helping Hazel have the best chance of a happy and healthy life. We are proceeding with her medical care; her pre-surgical tests are being completed the week of March 7th and surgery will be as soon as possible.

NJSRN has helped other Mini Schnauzer puppies born with liver shunts. They have lived happy lives and even celebrated their 12th birthdays. This is our goal for Hazel!

More information about NJ Schnauzer Rescue Network: New Jersey Schnauzer Rescue Network (NJSRN) is a rescue and rehoming service for Miniature Schnauzers and Schnauzers mixes throughout the northeastern US. www.njsrn.org

What a year it’s been for New Jersey Schnauzer Rescue – just like the rest of the world! We haven’t had many dogs come in and some of the ones that we’ve gotten are requiring extensive medical treatments.

……. And so, meet 3-year-old Tyson.


We received a frantic call from Tyson’s owner saying that if we didn’t get him within 24 hours, he would die. He needed immediately care and she just didn’t have the money. Poor Tyson had stones that were causing such a blockage that he couldn’t urinate. Of course, one of our members jumped in her car, met the owner, and took Tyson straight to the emergency vet. Tyson spent several days, near death, in the ICU unit. When he was cleared for surgery, the stones in his urethra were removed, plus the ones embedded in the walls of his bladder, and he finally started to bounce back. It turns out Tyson has a rare type of recurring stone that’s genetic.

Today, Tyson is back to his playful, adorable self. But he will require constant monitoring his entire life for his condition.

NJSRN spent $8,000 on Tyson to get him healthy again. We are thrilled that we can help dogs like Tyson, but this depletes our treasury. We want to help as many Schnauzers as we can and get them into loving homes. Will you support us with a donation? Thank you.

 
More information about NJ Schnauzer Rescue Network: New Jersey Schnauzer Rescue Network (NJSRN) is a rescue and rehoming service for Miniature Schnauzers and Schnauzers mixes throughout the northeastern US.

*** Update - 4/27/20 ***
Jake had a rough couple of weeks. The doctor said it was all normal but he was in a lot of pain. Once he started on a new med to block the nerve impulses, he really improved! He is now walking more and barking "hello's" to people and other dogs. His foster home calls him "The Mayor" because he wants to greet everyone on the block. He's back to his happy, sweet self. NJSRN and his foster home (soon to be Jake's forever home) couldn't be more thrilled!  Thank you to everyone who played a part in this journey. It does take a village..... or in this case, "a pack"!




*** Update - 4/7/2020 ***
Jake came home yesterday and is so happy to be with his family. He's still on heavy pain meds but he's eating, walking around and getting lots of love from his foster Mom (the two of them slept on the floor together last night). His balance is really great - probably because he wasn't using that leg much before the surgery. Keep sending those healing thoughts!


*** Update - 4/5/2020 ***
Jake's surgery went well and he is resting comfortably. Thanks for all your positive thoughts and prayers.

*** Update - 4/5/2020 ***
Jake's amputation surgery is scheduled for Sunday, 4/5/2020. We have such mixed emotions about this - we know this is a necessary surgery to save his life but we are so upset that he will be losing his leg. Please send good thoughts his way and we will keep you posted on the surgery and his recovery.

*** Update ***
In these trying times, it is so heartwarming to hear from all of our wonderful supporters!  Right now, Jake is in a loving foster home and we are in contact with the Veterinarian Hospital who will be  performing his surgery. Since the foster home is homebound - like the rest of us - we are thinking this might be the perfect time for Jake's recovery. We will keep you updated.

Again, a mere thanks is not enough for all of you! You have no idea how much NJSRN appreciates our supporters, our adopters and our foster homes. You are family to us. 



In December 2019, NJSRN was alerted about a Schnauzer in NYC living for a year in pitiful conditions. Jake’s hair was overgrown with mats and knots, and filthy from his own urine and feces. Worse than all that, he had a lame leg that flopped around as he tried to walk. Obviously suffering, his owner remained oblivious to Jake’s cries of pain that the whole neighborhood heard and contended he was faking to get attention.
After pleading with Jake’s family for over six weeks, a Good Samaritan was finally able to convince them to surrender Jake to NJSRN. As he hobbled away from his imprisonment, his tail wagging, Jake seemed to sense his life was about to change. Although in obvious pain, his foot covered in hair caked with saliva, Jake eagerly accepted treats and loving caresses but screamed in pain if anyone got close to his leg.

NJSRN was able to get Jake into Red Bank Veterinary Hospital for an emergency exam. Not until he was completely sedated were they able to shave off his stinky hair and assess his foot. Jake had a raging infection which had eaten away at his flesh and toe bones combined with a, suspected, cancerous mass.
NJSRN was presented with two surgical options – remove the affected areas and hope for a negative biopsy report or amputate his entire leg. NJSRN opted to save his leg and hoped, once the painful areas were removed, Jake could regain the use of his foot and leg. A chest x-ray and lymph node biopsy were negative, so NJSRN remained optimistic that the mass on his foot was also negative. However, the pathology confirmed the worst, the suspicious mass was squamous cell carcinoma and the margins were not clear of cancer cells.

Again, NJSRN faced a dilemma - try to remove more tissue and a second toe, hope for clear margins, or amputate his leg. NJSRN remained hopeful and opted for a second foot surgery. Shortly in, the surgeon knew it was useless to continue – the diseased area reached far beyond what could be removed and leave Jake with a usable foot and leg. There was no other choice… Jake’s entire leg would need to be removed in order to save his life. But dogs recover so well and not only will he still be able to enjoy life; it will be a pain free life.

Jake’s medical bills are staggering. His first two surgeries and care totaled around $5400. His third surgery, scheduled for April, is estimated at $3300.

NJSRN prides itself for being able to help many severely injured Schnauzers that other groups may turn away. Because of that, having available funds to do so is critical. It is very rewarding to be able to help dogs like Jake, but we need your help.
Jake is a fabulous dog that, despite his painful past, is snuggly and friendly, and has a wonderful personality. He is in a loving foster home awaiting his leg amputation. Although not the outcome NJSRN hoped for, dogs can live quite happily with three legs. He now knows only love and compassion and has the rest of his life ahead of him. 

Please help us defray some of these overwhelming costs so we can continue to give our rescue dogs the best possible care and lives.

Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me and the entire NJ Schnauzer Rescue team. 

More information about NJ Schnauzer Rescue Network: New Jersey Schnauzer Rescue Network (NJSRN) is a rescue and rehoming service for Miniature Schnauzers and Schnauzers mixes throughout the northeastern US.  www.njsrn.org