Dumaguete Animal Sanctuary

Every Life Matters

Dog Update

Peter

Peter

On 4 October 2021, Peter was reported to us as being run over not once, but twice.  Although he did not appear to have any broken bones, and could stand, it was clear he had some kind of head trauma and was in unbearable pain.

Our usual pain medication, Tramadol, was having little effect, but we managed to source some Morphine from Ace Hospital, and that seemed to offer him some relief.

Peter

Blood tests were inconclusive, and not critical, but without the Morphine he got no rest at all.  We remained positive about his prospects, as we have had a lot of hit and runs who don't move for about a week then suddenly start walking.

X-rays at Animal Wellness finally showed the degree of head trauma he was suffering.  His skull was fractured and also his cheek, which had resulted in lock jaw so he was unable to eat.
There was also cranial pressure and very likely some damage to his brain.
Treatment for these injuries is simply not available here so we made the heartbreaking but humane decision to put him to sleep on 8 October 2021.

Peter's morphine

Peter's x-ray

We at least know that with the morphine he was on, he suffered little pain and he felt love and care right up until the end.

Peter's Gallery

Peanut

Peanut

On 26 September 2021, while taking another dog to the Animal Wellness Clinic (Beth, now sadly passed away), we came across a distraught young man with a 6-month old Belgian Malinois with Distemper.  The family had other dogs so wished this one to be destroyed to protect the others.

Peanut after rescue

We felt with sufficient medication and care, Peanut (as we named her) stood a chance at surviving, but being at capacity at the Sanctuary, we were delighted when staff members Gemma and Adrian stepped in to foster her.

With the help and financial support of many donors, we were able to cover the extensive list of medications and food that seemed to be having an impact.  She began to eat, to walk around, and seemed to be making a come-back.

However, Distemper is an unpredictable disease; for a while it's an ongoing battle between the dog's immune system and the virus. Just when you think the immune system is winning, the virus can ramp up and overwhelm it.  She started to show loss of balance and appetite, but rallied when after Doc Pierre's visit where she was placed on an IV and began eating again.  Blood tests showed she had Erlichia, a potentially fatal tick-borne disease, and in the early hours of 5 October 2021, Peanut began to show signs of extreme discomfort, and within hours, had passed away from Acute Pancreatitis, which is often a complication seen with distemper. It's very sudden and kills very quickly.

We are heartbroken, as are her foster carers. At least she died on her own schedule and was given a chance to fight the disease. She also spent the last 10 days by the ocean surrounded by love.

Roger Adopted!

Roger Adopted!

Abandoned with 4 other puppies in a cemetery in April, Roger is the last of his family to find a home, with Karen, Jayden and family.  He was all set to follow Rain, Roddy and Reggie on their new journeys when the Distemper outbreak this year that took so many young lives, including Roger's brother Richie, suspended our adoptions for a couple of months.

He loves his walks, and we had him leash trained, but through bad luck he happened to be bunking with little Ozzy who tested positive for Distemper in August, so poor Roger had to quarantine all over again with Ozzy. 


Finally he's got his chance, and he looks like he's settled in already!  Good luck Roger, and thanks Karen, Jayden and family for taking him in.  You can read Roger's full story on his profile page.

Roger's Gallery

Henry

Henry

On 2 October 2021, one of our kind supporters Henryk and his son Dong rescued Henry (named in honour), who was very weak and had a deep wound to his leg that was beginning to fester with maggots.

It looked like a hacking incident, so we cleaned his wounds and put him on medication for pain and infection.  We were hopeful of a recovery, but during the night, Henry passed away from organ failure.  It is likely that had we got to him sooner, he would have stood a better chance of surviving this cowardly attack.

Henry's wounds

Henry and Henryk

There is a barbarity to an attack such as this on a defenseless animal that is difficult to comprehend.  You deserved much better, Henry.

Ferdi Adopted!

Ferdi Adopted!

The only survivor of 10 puppies abandoned illegally close to the Sanctuary in a number of sacks, Ferdi was taken home by Ed and Sharon on Saturday 2 October 2021.  Brother Floyd was also about to be adopted, but sadly succumbed to Parvovirus on 22 September 2021.  Ferdi battled on in a separate quarantine unit, and was finally cleared for adoption in late September. 

It's tragic that of the 10 puppies that came to the Sanctuary in August, just Ferdi made it through, but such young puppies taken from their mothers are always at much greater risk from virulent diseases such as Distemper and Parvo. We hope Ferdi lives a full happy life in tribute to the lives barely begun - Floyd, Fiona, Fonzi, Flynn, Frodo, Tulip, Bonnie, Rose and Vincent.

Ferdi's Gallery