Maggots have burrowed deeply into her face and tunneled through to her neck. However, since the fur on her neck is so badly matted, you cannot see the carnage that lies underneath. You can only see maggots pop out around the edges and through her ear. It is absolutely horrifying and smells of rotten meat. As maggots grow, they begin feeding on a dog’s skin and tissues. They eventually produce a special salivary enzyme that is capable of liquefying intact skin. As the maggots feed, this destructive salivary enzyme actually digests the dog’s skin, creating full-thickness, punched-out skin lesions (sores) within a matter of hours. The maggots move into these cavities. They continue feeding on exposed skin and enlarging the raw openings, creating a perfect environment for severe secondary bacterial skin infections. Some flies can secrete toxic substances into these wounds. If a dog becomes heavily infested with maggots, it can go into shock. In Antonia’s case, the maggots could have also already done irreparable damage to her sinus cavity, ear canals or even brain.

Since Antonia has such a high fever, she is being started on IV fluids immediately. Her medical team will have to do a full blood panel to see if she is stable enough to be put under to shave/cut off her matted fur with a scalpel… it is that hard. Pain medication and antibiotics will also be given through her IV. We won’t know anything more about her condition until her medical team can dig deeper and flush the maggots out. The abuse that this girl has endured is gut wrenching and makes absolutely no sense at all. The lack of morality in some neighborhoods in Chicago seems to progressively be getting worse. God help us all.

September 6^th:  TAF transferred Antonia over to our regular vet today. The poor girl is literally dying to scratch and rub her head and face to alleviate the itching, but then her ear is so painful and sore that she can’t lie her head down properly so she just sits and stares in misery. It’s really hard to see. TAF’s vet said she needed to sedate her and really scrub her head and neck clean as infection is already seeding the area, despite the antibiotics. (The brown and red marks on Antonia’s skin are a result of the maggots eating away at her skin.) She will also be looking more deeply/closely into Antonia’s ear (her right one) to figure out what is going on that is so very painful. We want Antonia to get some relief and comfort so she can rest and settle down to begin healing. It’s clear our girl has never had a good day in her life and it’s almost like she has post traumatic stress from the maggots crawling around her poor face, neck and ears. Antonia is now hospitalized.

September 8^th:  TAF visited Antonia at the hospital today. She clearly felt better because she was very happy to see us, vocalizing and jumping around. Her ear is much less raw and inflamed though she still tilts her head a bit to that side. Antonia is receiving medication and painkillers twice a day for her ears and has started to fight them less, which we hope is a sign the pain and inflammation are reducing inside the ear as well. Antonia’s head and neck are still very scabby and itchy from where the infection is. The vet staff is applying silver sulfadiazine cream to the raw areas. (Silver sulfadiazine works by stopping the growth of bacteria that may infect an open wound. This helps to decrease the risk of the bacteria spreading to surrounding skin, or to the blood where it can cause a serious blood infection (sepsis)). Antonia will be re-assessed tomorrow to determine the best course of action. We want to be sure her pain and discomfort is completely managed before moving her, and will do whatever it takes to make sure that is possible. Antonia’s medical team can more aggressive with her pain management, than we can, so we are leaving it up to them.

September 22^nd:  It has been a couple weeks since Antonia came to us with a maggot infestation on her face, head and neck.  But it was her severe earaches that would cause her excruciating pain. Even after two weeks on ear antibiotics, the infectious bacteria inside her right ear is still present. She is about to start her third round of antibiotic ear drops.

In addition to all of this, almost all of the scabs that covered Antonia’s neck, head and face have fallen off. Her new skin underneath is incredibly sensitive and she is very cautious when you put your hand near her head, face or neck… some of this is also a reaction to the neglect and abuse of her past.

Antonia has gone into heat so it is going to be awhile before she can spayed and ready for adoption. Until then, she will be hanging out with her therapy buddies Antler, Miller and Hazel Grace. As you can see in the photo, Antonia likes to sit with her foster mom Antler.

October 12^th:  After ER hospitalization and weeks of doctors’ appointments, Antonia went in to have her ears scoped yesterday. We are happy to announce that Antonia’s ears have fully healed and that she was able to be spayed.

As you can imagine, after such neglect, Antonia has been a little shy at times. She has been in a foster home and we have been working with her day and night to build up her confidence. She has made great strides and we are really looking forward to finding her a home that would cater to her needs.

October 20^th:  AFTER MANY WEEKS OF RECEIVING MEDICAL CARE, ANTONIA IS NOW READY FOR ADOPTION!

On September 2nd, Antonia was found behind a garbage can in a Chicago alley. Antonia’s face, head and neck were covered in maggots and they were eating away at her skin. As bad as this was, it was the excruciating pain of her raging ear infections that brought Antonia to her knees.  She has now received a clear bill of health and is ready for adoption.

Antonia is a 15-pound, 1-year-old shih tzu/poodle mix who loves to snuggle, hang out and sit on your lap. She is a low maintenance girl who is very friendly and loving, but can take a minute to warm up to people. Antonia would be best in a home where she can be the one and only, or with another very chilled out little dog. She just isn’t sure what to make of other dogs, but seems to enjoy their company. In addition, we believe it best that Antonia not go to a home with young children. As you can imagine, after such neglect, Antonia has been a little hand shy at times and we don’t want to set her up for failure.

If interested in adopting Antonia, please visit our website (www.trioanimalfoundation.org) and click on the adoption icon. There you’ll find information about our adoption program as well as the application

The post Once Infested With Maggots, Antonia Is Now Like a New Dog! appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

Wallace was found as a stray by a wonderful Chicago police officer named Tammy. Tammy is also the police officer that found Halo (more about Halo another time). She is pretty amazing and went above and beyond to save both dogs.

Wallace was found as a stray by a wonderful Chicago police officer named Tammy. Tammy is also the police officer that found Halo (more about Halo another time). She is pretty amazing and went above and beyond to save both dogs.

Wallace’s medical team estimates he is 12-13 years old. He has large growths on several locations over his body. This includes a perianal tumor which is likely the result of high testosterone levels from not being neutered. He has muscle atrophy consistent with aging. He is thin. His eye was infected from a large upper eyelid growth that is scratching his eye, which is covered in thick, goopy discharge. He had open wounds on one of his rear legs with draining tracts. His spleen was enlarged via palpation during his physical exam. His ears are filthy and inflamed. He has diarrhea.

In order to be sure we knew exactly what we were dealing with, we authorized a myriad of tests:

-Fine needle aspirate of the 4 major growths: one under his neck, one on the back of his leg, one on the side of his leg and one on his side. 
-Culture of the draining fluid from the open wounds on his other rear leg
-X-rays of his chest and abdomen
-Full blood panel
-Eye staining
-Ear cytology
-Fecal test
-Urinalysis

We have received the results from many of the tests:
-His vet was concerned he might have blastomycosis and wanted to send off a blood test to help aid his diagnosis. Blastomycosis is a systemic fungal infection. The most common sites of clinically apparent infection in dogs include the lungs, lymph nodes, eyes, skin, and bone. Fortunately the test for blastomycosis was negative.
-Bloodwork was mostly normal, with an increase in white blood cells consistent with infection.
-Heartworm test: positive
-X-rays showed his spleen was enlarged, but there were no obvious masses anywhere else in his body. His heart shows no sign of physiological changes from heartworm disease.
-Fine needle aspirates showed several of the growths were inflamed lymph nodes. He has no signs of lymphoma or other cancer, which leads us to believe the inflammation of his spleen and lymph nodes are due to the overall infection his system is fighting.
-Antibiotics for open wounds started. After 3 days there was no improvement so a stronger antibiotic was started.
-Eye stain was negative for corneal ulcers so drops were started with plans to remove the growth.
-Urinalysis was clear minus some white blood cells. He is drinking and urinating a significant amount.
-Ear cytology showed a significant yeast infection in his ears and they were cleaned and treated.
-His fecal was negative so he was started on probiotics to help restore the natural flora in his gut.

Friday Wallace underwent surgery to be neutered and have the eye growth removed. He recovered easily. Now that Wallace is neutered, the perianal tumor should diminish in size. He has been on strong antibiotics now for 4 days and there is significant improvement in the wounds on his legs, his increased drinking/urinating, and his eye is no longer infected. His ears are clean and less inflamed. Overall, Wallace is doing very well. He will remain hospitalized until we can recheck his bloodwork later this week to ensure his infections have cleared up. We will also come up with a game plan to treat his heartworm disease once the other issues have been resolved.

On October 4^th they shared an update with supporters:

Amazing news… the Chicago police officer who found Wallace on the side of the road has adopted him!

When 12-13 year old Wallace came into TAF’s care he was an absolute mess and needed to be hospitalized for 2 weeks. In that time he underwent a multitude of tests, treatments and even surgery to keep him comfortable for the twilight time that Wallace has left with his mom. 

When Tammy arrived to pick up her buddy Wallace, he walked over and buried his face in her arms. It was obvious that he remembered the kindness she showed him when he was not feeling well and all alone. He wouldn’t leave her side, and as they walked out the door, we swore there was a spring in his step!

Officer Tammy… thank you so much for all that you do to help the homeless dogs in the city of Chicago!

The post Tumor-Ridden Senior Dog Is Adopted by the Heroic Police Officer Who Saved Him appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

Three of the dogs lived in a flooded basement, and two in a backyard shed.  They were likely bored, lonely, and incredibly anxious, as they had no idea when their next meal was coming.

“They have no human contact and get fed when someone shows up, which is approximately three times per week,” Stacey Silverstein of Rescue Dogs Rock NYC told The Dodo.

Even though they obviously didn’t care much about the dogs, the owner didn’t want to give them up, but agreed to relinquish the heavily pregnant Pocahontas.  Soon after her rescue, she gave birth to 12 puppies, and 8 of them survived.  She has been a wonderful and attentive mom to them.

In the meantime, Rescue Dogs worked to save the other dogs.  They put their efforts into taking in Queenie, Pocahontas’ mom.

“We were able to remove Queen shortly thereafter and she went directly to our vet in Brooklyn where it was discovered that she was pregnant as well,” Silverstein said.

A week into foster care, Queenie gave birth to 13 puppies, with 12 surviving (6 boys and 6 girls).  Just like her daughter, she has also been a very devoted mother to her pups.

“Both dogs are amazing, loving, sweet, affectionate and gentle,” Silverstein said. “We have been unsuccessful to rescue the others but we are still trying.”

All the puppies are doing well in foster care.  When they are old enough, they will be available for adoption, and hopefully never know anything but love and happiness.

“Queen and her babies are doing well this morning… their sniffles appear to be better already after their second dose of antibiotics,” their foster mom told Rescue Dogs.  “Their new, taller whelping box is coming today, [and] not a moment too soon since Prince William is climbing OUT of the pool on his own already!”

To see what happened to Pocahontas next, click here.

The post Pregnant Dogs Living in a Basement Rescued Just in Time to Give Birth appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

Alfie’s former owner kept him chained up outside.  All day, every day, for years, with nothing but concrete to lie on.  And then, because he barked and cried to come in, his muzzle was taped shut.  Neighbors had enough of being ignored by the SPCA, and at this last straw, jumped the fence to save him from the abuse.

It seems that for making simple mistakes that every puppy makes while learning, Alfie, who was nameless at the time, was forced to live outside by his impatient and unloving owner.  For scratching at the door to be let in, he was chained so he couldn’t come near it.  For crying out to be loved and pay attention to by his family, he had his mouth tightly taped closed.

It was obvious what kind of toll the years of being shackled was taking on him; he lunged and snapped and barked incessantly.  Next door neighbors watched Alfie endure this abuse and neglect, which tormented them as much as it did him.  They called the SPCA repeatedly, but as keeping a dog tethered wasn’t illegal, there was nothing they could do.

So the neighbors took matters into their own hands.  One day they hopped the fence and cut Alfie free.  It is unclear just what happened to him at this point, but as Animal Advocates Society posted his story, likely it is they who took him in.

To keep such an intelligent and social creature so isolated, unstimulated, and uncomfortable is immoral, and Alfie was very sensitive after the years of mental anguish.  But over time, he healed.

He was blessed with a new family, one who was every bit as loving as his previous one was heartless.  He rejoiced in being free to run, play, and snuggle.

Alfie was cherished by his human family members, and befriended by a dog buddy who looked a lot like him.  Though he is no longer alive, he spent every single day of the rest of his life being happy and free.

The post The Town Refused to Help, So Neighbors Saved This Chained, Taped-Up Dog Themselves appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

Flori, a team member of Charlie’s Angels, a rescue group out of Costa Rica, was driving across a river when she saw the driver ahead of her throw what at first glance appeared to be a white garbage bag.  But then she saw that it was a dog – a dog who, despite her horrific treatment, ran along behind the car, trying to reach her rotten family.

The rescuer noticed that the dog’s fur was so badly matted that she could barely move.  The fur on her tail had become enmeshed with the fur on her hind legs.  Flori believed she had likely been chained up her whole life.

She stopped her car and scooped up the little dog.  The poor girl was in much worse shape that Flori could have known.  A vet visit determined that she had spiked a fever, was very anemic, and quite malnourished.

Donations made it possible for her to recover from her lifetime of misery.  She now lives in a happy home, and has a five-year-old boy who loves her like mad.

If you would like to help Charlie’s Angels continue saving the street dogs of Costa Rica,

The post Dog Thrown into Raging River Makes a Lucky Landing appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

Neighbors and residents said the dog could be seen on the 16^th floor balcony of an apartment.  It was very cold outside, and witnesses said that the dog was trying frantically to get back into the apartment.  Apparently, the dog’s human was not in the apartment at the time, but decided that the balcony was going to be an OK place to keep the dog, despite the frigid temperatures.

Someone put pictures and information about the dog on social media website.  That set off a domino effect that lead to tons of posts all over social media outlets about what was going on.  It was only a matter of time before someone called the police in.

They did show up to the apartment, and finally did get a hold of the person living there.  The people that live in the building and in the surrounding area relentlessly called law enforcement of every kind, trying to get someone to at very least let the dog in.  The dog was put back in the apartment, but that was as far as law enforcement could take things.

The police filed a report, and advised the person that should something of this nature, or anything that could be considered neglect or abuse will be very bad for them, legally.  At this time, the dog is still there, but that hasn’t stopped people from commenting on social media.  Many believe that the dog should have been removed, but given that there were no prior reports of animal neglect or abuse by the resident in question, the warning is the best they could do.

Todd Hofley is the president of the Liberty Village Residents Association (you can click the link to view the Facebook page).  Since the incident occurred at the complex, he has proposed a new set of regulations.

“I will bring forward a potential template for pet owners that stipulates if there is reasonable belief that their pet is in immediate and life threatening danger because of getting outside that the condominium corporation has the right to enter the unit and bring the animal inside,” said Hofley on Facebook.

What do you think?  Those of us that live in colder climates would assume that not putting your dog outdoors in the cold for hours while you leave is simply common sense.  How far would you go to save a dog’s life?  Have you, or has anyone you know had to call law enforcement because of someone else’s neglect?  Share your stories with us and your fellow Life With Dogs fans right here in the comment section below, or on our Facebook page, which you can view by clicking here.

Special thanks to The Dodo for sharing the story.  To see their article on what to do if you see a dog chained up outside in the cold, click here.

The post Neighbors Save Dog Locked Outdoors on 16th Floor of Building appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

This dog was heartlessly discarded by a breeder, and when he was found was emaciated and being eaten by mites.  But he was taken in by a family who treated him like a prince, and he recovered.

Because of his traumatic past, some might think he’d have had a hard time adjusting to an attention-hogging baby, but Daizu was like another parent to the boy – his first friend, really.

Even though the baby didn’t always understand what Daizu was doing, he never stopped trying to engage him in play.  As he got older, the boy would play tug-of-war with him, and Daizu was as gentle as ever.

Sadly, Daizu succumbed to a severe respiratory infection in October.  He was eight years old.  Because of the wonderful experiences Daizu had with this boy, it is likely that he will always love and be kind to animals.

The post Dog Offers Crying Baby Brother a Cookie to Cheer Him Up appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

Detroit Animal Control (DAC) promised that Major would be in good hands, stating after a short quarantine he’d be returned to his home safe and sound.  That was very far from what happened.  It was discovered that Major was kept in horrific conditions, which likely caused the medical complications he was suffering from.

Steward says Major was confined to a cage that was far too small for a dog his size, given a dry bowl with no water, and forced to sit in his own urine and feces.

According to Melissa Miller of Dog Aide, “We do believe Major did suffer unnecessary neglect at the hands of Detroit animal control.”

Steward says that the dog’s health rapidly deteriorated while stuck at the DAC.  She believes that Major’s death was 100% preventable, and 100% the fault of the DAC.

“I found him lying in a pool of his own blood and it had been there and it had been dried as well,” Steward said.  “So how long had he been sitting in his own bloody waste?”

Apparently, the vet at the DAC wasn’t very interested in helping major out at all.  Steward was forced to find proper medical treatment, but it was too late.

“Our property that they like to call it, or our companions as we see it, need to be housed and cared for adequately,” said Steward.  “If I can get a ticket for neglecting my dog, you should get a ticket for neglecting my dog.”

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