TZANEEN: Starving dog rescued by the SPCA
“He is not critical, but not out of the woods yet.”
“He is not critical, but not out of the woods yet.”
A starving dog was found last Thursday morning wandering around in the Tzaneen area and is being cared for at the SPCA, they are cautiously hopeful in his recovery.
The SPCA received an early morning call on Thursday, January 22 from staff at a local nursery that a dog was hiding in one of the toilets and would not come out.
Their inspector, Ellie Potgieter, and her trainee dashed out immediately.
Upon arrival they couldn’t immediately see the dog. After they took to questioning various staff members they were directed to one of the shade houses on the property.
There they found the poor dog, a bundle of bones.
They were terrified because he didn’t seem to be moving but as soon as they got closer he lifted his head.
“The sadness and sheer exhaustion on that face would have broken the hardest heart,” said the SPCA.
They decided to chew a little piece of droë wors so that it was soft and juicy and he would be able to eat it, he took the food with the softest gesture, no hint of aggression, but his fear was palpable and he lost control of his bladder.
The inspector covered him gently with a blanket and their trainee gently held him with the control pole – which they quickly released.
She stroked his bony little body and he seemed to enjoy the gesture.
They transported him to the SPCA and he has been dewormed, vaccinated and fed soft food.
Sadly he also had a severe case of billary which the SPCA is treating.
On Saturday they helped him to stand up and he managed to stand on his own for a little while.
He is not moving around much due to sheer exhaustion and the lack of nourishment he has endured, according to the SPCA.
“He is not critical, but not out of the woods yet. He is very tired and sleeps most of the time. For the first time in forever he can close those sad eyes and not be afraid of something attacking or injuring him in his weakened state,” explained the SPCA.
The LETABA HERALD contacted the SPCA and was informed that the dog is doing well, given everything the poor thing has been through.
They are scared of possible liver damage but they are busy treating it.
They are monitoring him and are hopeful in his recovery.
“We are grateful to the people who have already come by and donated soft food for him to eat. His spirit is strong and he’s a very friendly dog. We’ve got hope that he’ll pull through, although it is touch and go at this stage,” said Potgieter.
Soft food donations would be so welcome to get this boy back on the road to health.
Financial donations will assist with his medical bills too.
If you want to help this pup get back on his feet, send an email to journo1@herald.co.za.
