A friend of Angel Dog spotted a "pitiful Rottweiler dog lying in the middle of a parking lot in just horrible condition. He's starving and too weak to stand up. What should we do?" It was sunday and they couldn't get anyone else on the phone. When we got the call, it sounded bad, so we admitted him in spite of not having space. We asked her to take him to our rescue vet. He was hospitalized immediately.
Max was described as "CRITICAL; it's hour by hour, not day by day". Max was dehydrated, starved nearly to death, was severely infested with worms and fleas which had done considerable damage. He is anemic (see photo of gums below) and has Heartworms. It's too soon to know what else. He was given subcutaneous fluids and other critical care treatment Sunday night.
Monday morning he was still critical, and received a blood transfusion and continued fluids and meds. The vet tech said a while after the transfusion he stood up. Apparantly pleased with himself, he wagged his tail and ate a little food. They said he is such a sweet dog. He had lab work done but we won't know the extent of any damage until the results are back.
Tuesday morning Bobbie said, "He's still with us and he walked a few steps". She wouldn't say yet that he's going to be ok. But they are hopeful. They asked how far we wanted to go with treatment. I said, "Do whatever is needed to save him and bring him back to health. I have faith our Angel Dog Friends will want to help him, and he obviously wants to live."
We're looking at veterinary expenses of $1,000 or more to help Max!