Ellie is so weak she can’t get up without help and once she is standing, she can only go a few yards on her own. It is absolutely heartbreaking.
Thankfully she arrived at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa in the nick of time. Much longer on her own and she would not have made it. We can only imagine how hopeless and alone she felt.
Our Emergency Care Team examined her immediately, and what they found was alarming. Beyond her emaciation, she has a serious skin infection. Even worse she had a major flea infestation. The fleas were everywhere. On closer examination, they discovered the large black patch on her back was not fur, but masses and masses of fleas.
And that wasn’t all. Her ears are painfully infected and she appears to be deaf, probably from untreated infections she has had her entire life. Both of her eyes are hazy and a mass completely covers one of them. Our veterinarians believe the eye behind it is dead. Her toenails were so overgrown, they were making it even harder for her to walk. On top of that, she has severe dental disease and masses throughout her body.
She looks and moves like an elderly dog, but our veterinarians believe she is only about 6 years old. Ellie has probably not had one day of proper care in her life.
Our Emergency Care Team gave her food and water, then gave her a flea bath to make her more comfortable. She was so infested, the water running down the drain was red with blood from all the fleas that had latched onto her skin.
After her flea bath, she began to perk up – wagging her tail and leaning against our staff. Even in her weakened state, it’s obvious that she is an incredibly sweet dog.
We gave her medications for her skin, treated her infected ears, and trimmed her long nails. We made her as comfortable as possible on a big bed in one of our offices. She fell asleep almost immediately.
Ellie’s emaciation is our most immediate concern, as well as treating her skin and ear infections. She’ll be under the care of our medical team for weeks if not months.
Ellie deserves a chance, and we are committed to doing everything we can for her. But we cannot do it alone.
Ellie has been failed for years by the people who were supposed to love and care for her. Your gift to our Miracle Medical Fund will give Ellie, and other pets like her, the love and care that they deserve.
