Safe Haven of Iowa County

Meet Dasani, a delightful 6-year-old terrier mix with a heart full of love and a spirit full of spunk! This charming girl is a perfect small-medium size, making her an ideal companion for adventures big and small, or cozy nights spent staying in. Dasani embodies the best of the terrier world: she's alert, intelligent, and always ready for some fun! Don't let her middle-age fool you – she has plenty of energy for walks, playtime in the yard, or learning new tricks. This sweet girl thrives on companionship. She's very people-oriented and loves to be involved in whatever you're doing. Dasani is also a social butterfly and has been known to do well with other dogs with alike personalities (she has preferred smaller dogs over larger dogs in the past); and her previous owner said she does well with feline friends too. She would likely do best in a home with older children as they tend to be a bit more predictable and understanding of boundaries. 

Dasani has been diagnosed with a condition called renal dysplasia. In simple terms, this means that her kidneys did not develop normally while she was still in the womb, and some percentage of her kidneys remain too immature to function properly. This is thought to be a hereditary condition so she should never have a litter of puppies as she could pass this on to her puppies - it is a very good thing that she has been spayed.

Symptoms shown by Dasani at this time include drinking a lot of water and voiding large volumes of very dilute urine. Otherwise she is always a happy-go-lucky girl! Treatment at this time includes feeding her a specially formulated diet (one that is low in sodium and phosphorus and uses only a limited amount of high quality protein) that will reduce the workload to her kidneys. Your veterinarian may recommend other ways to support her kidney function as time goes by. Renal dysplasia has no cure, but with proper management, it is possible a dog may live a relatively normal life. Unfortunately, at this time, it is impossible to predict how slowly or quickly her kidney issues will worsen, so screening her every six months with some blood tests, urine analysis and possible ultrasound evaluation would be recommended for Dasani. Dogs with severe disease may live only a few months, but if only mildly affected, a dog might live for at least 9-10 years before kidney failure sets in.

To learn more about this condition, feel free to visit the link below for a better understanding:
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/renal-dysplasia-in-dogs/

Dasani has been brought up-to-date on her vaccinations, has been spayed, microchipped, and started on monthly flea/tick & heartworm preventatives. If you're interested in meeting this sweet girl, please submit an adoption application found on our website at www.wesavepets.com and a Safe Haven volunteer will be in touch once the application has been submitted.