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VANCOUVER – A stray puppy rescued on northern Vancouver Island is now making a slow recovery, after being found close to death.
On Easter weekend, Vancouver Island Dogs Rescue Society received a call about a young dog who was in very poor health.
When he was rescued, ‘Thomas’ was immediately taken to the vet. He only had 20 per cent of fur left on his body due to severe demodectic mange (a skin disease), which had ravaged his skin leaving open oozing sores.
Due to the infection he also had very poor vision, parasites through his digestive system and he was dehydrated and underweight.
Miranda Kurucz, secretary of the rescue society, says they were told that Thomas only had two or three weeks left to live. In an email she says what they saw with Thomas is unfortunately something they see a lot of in rural communities, with much of it is based on minimal vetting, bad diet and a stressful livelihood leading to a compromised immune system.
It has now been one month since Thomas was found and thanks to lots of love and care from his foster mom and lots of scrubs in the bath and veterinary care he is healing well.
Donations have also poured in from across the island and although Thomas is well on his way to recovery he has months to go before he is strong enough to receive any shots. He will continue to have medicated baths every other day as well.
Kurucz says it will be about four to six months before he will be able to be adopted but he is now out of isolation and is strong enough to play with his foster brothers and sisters.
If you would like to help Thomas and other animals, you can check out their website and Facebook page for information and to stay updated on various cases.
GALLERY: Thomas throughout his recovery:
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