Dumaguete Animal Sanctuary

Every Life Matters

RIP

Carys

Carys

On 8 October 2021, Carys (the Welsh word for "Love") was one of a depressing series of hit-and-run dogs rescued from a long, lingering and painful death the roads.

She couldn't walk and apparently had been lying in the same place for two to three days after being hit by a car. People were feeding her, which is all they can do. Most local people cannot afford the vet bills to treat a dog like Carys.

Cays receiving treatment

Our vet assistants provided first aid treatment, took blood, ran blood tests and started her on medication. We also used a Nexgard Spectra donated by Catherine to address her flea tick and mange condition. There was blood in her urine, and x-rays showed that her pelvis was broken at the connection to her femur.

Carys high red blood cell count

Carys receiving treatment

A full blood test run by Animal Wellness indicated internal bleeding, and we were hoping to do a blood transfusion on 10 October when she succumbed to her injuries and slipped quietly away, with her pain managed with Morphine. So sorry Carys. Run free.

Zeus

Zeus

On 10 October 2021, Zeus was picked up as the third of four recent hit-and-run victims.  He did not appear to have any external, physical injuries, he would not lie down when we bought him in, even after significant pain medication.

We took him to animal wellness for Doc Gama to do x-rays and full blood panel, which showed two major injuries - a ruptured diaphragm displacing his internal organs, covering his lungs and pressing on his heart.

Zeus x-ray

Zeus rescued

Emergency surgery was possible but then a second x-ray showed a completely severed spine.  There is no possibility in here to repair spinal injuries, so the only humane thing to do was to let him go. Doc Gama put him to sleep and we were all with him and we told him we loved him.

Zeus

Thank you to the reporter who did the decent thing and took him away from the road last night and kept him safe in her garage. Putting dogs to sleep is so so hard but at least he was spared a long painful death alone. No more pain Zeus

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.

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.