westernplainsanimalrefuge.org

WARNING: PHOTOS ARE VERY GRAPHIC AND DEPICT AN ANIMAL SUFFERING.


Last night, just before our office closed for the day, some people brought in a Pomeranian to the clinic.

Pomeranians are very social dogs. They like to be around people. Thereis no doubt in my mind that this dog tried to get someone to payattention to him because he would have been incredibly uncomfortable,and then would have been in an unimaginable amount of pain. Just thesmell of the animal should have told the owners something was verywrong. This went way beyond forgetting to feed the dog for a day or so,or beyond just a little laziness. It was very clearly neglect.

I told the owners I would have to turn them in for animal cruelty (and I would have) if they didn't surrender the dog. They did.

We debated publishing the below  photos, but felt it is important for people to see what happens to many, many animals who are neglected. Please learn from this situation and spread the word!

He was not brushed or bathed for a very long amount of time. His long hair matted all over his body. When an animal's hair is matted, the skin cannot "breathe," and it becomes very moist. It makes a very good environment for bacteria and other parasites. In his case, flies laid their eggs in the moist areas, and maggots feasted on his skin and tissues. He was literally being eaten alive. You can see in thepictures a couple of deep nests of them. 

We shaved the mats from this guy and cleaned maggots and dead tissue from his wounds. Infections like these are one of the most disgusting to deal with. This poor little dog did nothing to deserve the neglect he received.

 He is on lots of pain medication, IV fluids and antibiotics.  If he makes it, he will be adopted.  He has been quite the trooper for us!

UPDATE! Codyis healing well! See new pics here:

blog.westernplainsanimalrefuge.org/2009/06/27/update-cody-the-pom-is-healing-well-2.aspx