DOGS AND CATS OF ANTIGUA

Ten-year-old Russell was spotted by one of our volunteers at Fort James in August with severe eye trauma. He was picked up and taken to the vet, where amazingly, his eye was not infected--but he was severely anemic. This sweet boy was brought to "Old Folks Boogie," a special long-term foster care home for senior dogs supported by DACOA and run by our own Mary Harris. Russell was started on supplements and a special diet involving five small feedings a day to help him build strength. He was also positive for heartworm, so we began his treatment for that as well. 

Unfortunately, Russell's eye became infected and he was increasingly lethargic, eating little for ten days. With round-the-clock care, he finally turned a corner and was feeling better. Russell continued on antibiotic treatment and seemed to be doing better. 

In mid-October, our poor Russell fell ill again. This time he began wheezing and coughing due to his heartworm. We started him on medication to ease his breathing and provide comfort while he regained his strength. As if that wasn't enough for this dear boy, Russell was diagnosed with TVT, a venereal cancer. He now gets weekly blood tests prior to his chemotherapy injections to ensure he is well enough for treatment. 

Russell is a fighter. He has completed 3 of 6 chemo treatments, only missing one due to low blood counts. He is on a slow path to curing heartworm, as he is not yet healthy enough for Immiticide injections. Amazingly, his eye trauma is much improved, though we are still building his health and strength in preparation for surgery to remove the damaged eye.

Through all this, Russell has been affectionate and friendly. Mary calls him a "happy, charming old fella" who gets along well with her other senior dogs, Peach and Smiley Moma, and younger fosters Sugar Fine and Yellow.

Dogs like Russell can be some of our most expensive cases, especially when so many treatments and surgery are involved. And he is just one of several severely ill or injured dogs we have taken into our care over the past several weeks.

Your Giving Tuesday donations will directly support the medical care of Russell and other deserving dogs at our Sanctuary and in foster care in Antigua.

Click here to make a donation.