In our frequent visits to local pounds we have become accustomed to seeing dogs that come in matted, emaciated, terrified, abused and neglected... but there are still cases that can shock... even us. Ragdoll is one of those cases.
She was found abandoned in horrible shape, and when S.C.P.A.L.saw her limp matted little body curled up in a ball in a cage at the pound they actually thought she might be dead. She was covered head to toe in filthy mats, with scabs in between them from skin infection. Her eyes were matted shut under her thick layer of matted fur. She was terrified and would scream, snap, and fall over as soon as she was touched, had trouble walking, and seemed weak and in pain and looked to be thin and elderly. Second Chance Pet Adoption League thought she might have been hit by a car as her back legs seemed to collapse out from under her. She was so matted she couldn't go to the bathroom and was straining but nothing could come out, and was suffering severely. S.C.P.A.L. couldn't leave her behind and brought her to their vet. They weren't sure if she was too close to death to be rehabilitated but knew they had to help her even if it was just to have the vet end her suffering if necessary...
The vet immediately checked her out and took x-rays and blood work, which surprisingly revealed no broken bones, and other than signs of parasites and dehydration her blood work was normal. In fact, her teeth revealed her to actually be fairly young! They sedated her and the staff set to work shaving off the thick filthy mats and were shocked at what they found. She was literally skin and bones, just about as thin as she could get and still be able to stand. It is painful to look at her, even for seasoned rescuers and veterinary staff that are used to seeing all the neglected dogs we save each week from puppy mills and local pounds. Her case has rocked us to the core, not just us but the nation.
She is going to be hospitalized for some time as she recovers and gains strength. She is currently on IV fluids, being given small meals and monitored closely. She has dry eye in both eyes and is being treated, and has scabs and skin infections all over her body from the dirty mats pulling at her skin. Her tail is ulcerated and may need to be amputated. She is still very fearful, but warming up to some of the animal clinic staff who are caring for her and giving her extra TLC. Ragdoll will have a long road to recovery before she is ready for adoption as she recovers both physically and emotionally from the damage done by whoever dumped her. S.C.P.A.L. are in desperate need of funds for her care. Please consider making a direct donation here: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/secondchance.html
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