Rescue doesn’t give up

Introducing Panda. Panda came to rescue on the Tuesday night before Thanksgiving.

While everyone was out grocery shopping and making plans to meet up with loved ones, our dedicated volunteers were out to rescue a little lost pug in Northern California. Panda had been neglected for sometime and everyone else had given up on this little girl; we couldn’t. Panda needed our help and she needed it fast.

Unfortunately our animal shelters are beyond full and the holidays are a time when pets show up at shelters in droves. Panda was out of time. Looking at her shelter card, you would have thought she was a 10 year old brindle pug. However, once she was in our care and had a visit to the vet, it was clear she was much younger than 10 years old. In fact, her teeth are so clean and free of tarter that it’s possible she is under 2 years old.

Panda got off to a rough start in life. Her skin has turned black from poor nutrition, neglect, and opportunistic fleas and mites. She has a bad case of flea dermatitis and the beginnings of mange.

Flea preventative  was applied along with antibiotics and medication for the mange. Panda also received a nice, long bath. It could have been the first one she’s had in months. She was filthy.

Now that we’ve controlled the fleas, we can begin working to bring back her skin and coat. Panda is very affectionate and sweet and will make a wonderful companion once she’s healthy enough to be adopted.

In addition to skin scrapings, antibiotics, flea and mange medication, Panda will also need to be spayed, vaccinated, and tested for heart worm.

December 10, 2011 Update: Panda went back to the vet to confirm that we are making progress against the mange and we are starting to see some tiny sprouts of hair growth. We are also *very* pleased to announce that Panda tested negative for heart worm. We were worried that this girl, in her condition, might be battling internal parasites as well. Luckily, that is not the case and Panda is on the road to recovery.

December 20, 2011 Update: Panda has been adopted!  Her new family will continue her treatment for mange and keep us updated with photos, which we will post and share. We are so happy that this little girl will now be given the life she always deserved.