NEARR

Diva is a 6-year-old purebred female chocolate lab. Her owners noticed that she was losing weight and not interested in food. Worried, they brought her to the vet who diagnosed her with diabetes. Her vet stated that Diva’s condition was guarded to poor and recommended immediate hospitalization; without treatment, Diva would die. Unfortunately her family did not have the means to manage her illness so they made the heart-wrenching decision to surrender her.

Diva was admitted to Tufts on Saturday, May 2nd for testing and treatment. Her blood tests showed a very sick little girl - normal blood glucose levels for healthy dogs range from 80 to 220 mg/dl. Diva's initial blood test showed her glucose levels at over 500 mg/dl!

The volunteers, who transported Diva to Tufts, described Diva as a “sweetheart, super easy going, saying hello to everyone she met (dogs and people and the vets). She's a little girl with a very pretty face." The many vets at Tufts who have treated her tell us that she is a wonderful dog and tell us how glad they are that we are committed to helping her.

The initial estimate for her hospitalization is $2,500.00 assuming there are no complications. NEARR is committed to helping Diva. Please help us help Diva by making a donation toward the cost of her care. If you wish to pay online, please click on the Pay Pal button below or you can mail your donation to North East All Retriever Rescue, Attn: Donations for Diva, P.O. Box 756, Wellfleet, MA 02667-0756

Diva (aka Miss Wigglebottoms) is in her foster home enjoying the pampered lifestyle of the sick and beautiful. Doctor's orders are being followed with special food and twice a day insulin shots. She goes back weekly to the vet for blood tests...Stay tuned for more progress reports.

May 27, 2009:, Diva's medications and diet are being adjusted. Her glucose levels have improved slightly but are nowhere near where they should be. She has also not gained any weight, so her insulin dosage has been increased. Her foster mom reports that “having her over these past 3 weeks, you would never know what is going on, on the inside - she has energy and loves to take walks.”

JUNE 7, 2009: A new challenge for Diva - a grape size bump was discovered and came back positive as a mast cell tumor. The tumor needs to be removed but not until her glucose levels are more stable. The estimated cost of the surgery is between $2,000 and $2,500.00.

JUNE 17, 2009: Foster mother reports that Diva is responding to the increase in insulin (we’re at 16 cc twice a day). Diva was running around the park yesterday with a Jack Russell then when she got home she still wanted to play. The surgical consult is scheduled at Tufts for June 29th.

NEARR is always looking for more volunteers. Check out our volunteer page for information about what you can do. Many people start out phone screening and/or home visiting. If you have questions, email our volunteer coordinator at volunteer@nearr.com.