Hero

Hero was a hit and run rescue on 22 July 2023.  He was an old dog, maybe 10-12 years old, and initially we thought his medical problems were caused by the vehicle accident, but Animal Wellness vets showed severe malnutrition and moderate anemia, possible chronic infection in the body (suspected blood parasitism based on the increased TP, globulin and monocytosis), as well as a previously healed fracture on the right hindlimb which was causing him to limp.  Neurological signs like wobbling, droopy eyes and imbalance initially pointed to the potential for a head injury

Sadly, things got progressively worse for Hero, and we began to suspect a case of Rabies which can only be diagnosed after death as brain tissue is sent to the lab for confirmation.  We have had a lot of cases over the years and we have never been wrong.
Hero was biting everything that he could get at. He tore up his IV and the mat he was given to sleep on and was attacking the cage bars.
Rabies causes rapid deterioration within a day or two after it reaches the brain and its a very painful death.
There is no cure, it's 100 percent fatal for animals and humans.
We couldn't even comfort him. All we could do was help him pass painlessly.

Thank you for everyone who donated for him. We used the excess funds for the next new rescue.
Please get your pets vaccinated. It's pretty much 100 percent effective against the virus.
Run free Hero. We are sorry you had to suffer this way.