Shelter dog Henna cleared of brain issues, needs forever home

Henna, a male stray who has lived at the Wayne County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center since May, has shown unusual neurological symptoms like head bobbing, unsteady walking, bumping into things, and chasing imaginary butterflies. Thanks to a fundraiser that brought in nearly $5,000, the shelter was able to pursue advanced diagnostic testing.

The results brought good news. Shelter Manager Summer Foss said his MRI confirmed normal brain function.

“Henna’s brain is fully functional,” Foss said. “There’s no trauma and no issues there. However, the vertebrae just below his skull are crooked. In a person, it’s similar to scoliosis. We don’t know if it’s from trauma or a congenital disability.”

To help, Henna was fitted with a Balto brace—an orthopedic device resembling a large collar—to support and straighten his neck. He was also screened for the Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis gene mutation, sometimes found in Border Collies, that causes neurological problems. Those results were also negative.

“He was tested for more than 200 possible issues,” Foss said. “He cleared every one of them. Overall, he’s absolutely perfect—just a little different.”

Foss has also been Henna’s de facto caregiver since he arrived at the shelter, taking extra measures to ensure he gets as much time as possible outside to alleviate the stress brought on by the shelter environment.

“He is such a fantastic dog, but he does not thrive in the shelter,” she said. “It creates stress for him, which is compounded by his condition. He deserves to be adopted into his forever home.”

For additional information on Henna, any other shelter dog to foster or adopt, phone 330-345-1018 or visit www.waynedogshelter.org.

Dan Starcher is the public communications coordinator for Wayne County.