When we got a call from a local Veterinary Emergency Hospital that an adolescent German Shepherd had arrived emaciated, dehydrated and raw from mange, we knew that we had to act quickly. Cody had come in from a public animal shelter in such terrible condition that emergency treatment was the only choice. Without a sponsor to support Cody's urgent needs, the likely outcome would be euthanasia. When we saw the look of anguish on his face, we refused to be added to the list of people who had let Cody down in his very first year of life.
Cody was immediately hydrated with antibiotics and nutrients via IV solution. He was given a medicated bath to help sooth the bloody and oozing sores all over his body, and his fur was gently clipped so that the vets could treat the open wounds. Given his condition, Cody had been suffering for some time--probably left to cry alone in a yard while his skin burned and cracked from the mite infestation and secondary skin infection that had taken over his body.
Cody has a very long and uncomfortable road ahead of him, with daily skin treatments, soothing baths, foot soaks, and a combination of antibiotics to help him recover from neglect. When treated swiftly at the onset, mange can be eradicated with proper medication that prevents it from spreading. Sadly, who ever Cody had the misfortune of living with failed to provide this gentle dog with relief or comfort, so over time, the parasites took over.
We have a devoted volunteer who is up to the challenge of care giving for Cody and we know that he will be in loving hands. But Cody needs something that we don't have: Funds to help pay for his medication, special baths, and regular visits to the vet.
GSROC has created an amazing response team to assist dogs like Cody, and we try very hard to plan for the worst. But with so many ailing dogs in our care, our resources are stretched thinner than ever. We want to give Cody everything he needs, yet our meager resources are pulled in every direction. This is when we turn to our fellow animal lovers and humbly request that you help Cody through a gift from your heart. We are an all-volunteer non-profit group that relies entirely on the compassion of people like you to help us turn desperate situations into joyous new beginnings.
Please take a look at 1-year-old Cody and ask yourself if there is any more noble act than to provide comfort and relief for a suffering animal. Cody needs our help to recover from his neglect. Please pledge a tax-deductible donation in any amount to allow us to give him the bright future that he so truly deserves. Your gift will go directly to Cody's needs.
UPDATE 2/5/2012
In addition to the mange, he has flea dermatitis so bad, he's bleeding. And he smells so bad! His skin was so awful, he was shaved and then bathed in baby shampoo. His skin can't take anything stronger than that.
He's on the highest dosage of antibiotics he can take for his size. He's on several of them several times a day. And the medication (for the mange) once a day. He's tolerating the medication very well. He's has a fever, which is being closely watched. He's being fed 4 to 5 times a day.
We are very grateful for the work done on him by the emergency vet and SEAACA. Both of them put in hours of work on him before we got him.
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