LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO BARNEY!
Barney was picked up this evening Dec.4 after an emergency phone call from a man who claimed he found him as a stray in Queen Creek. (Seems to be the hot spot for stray bulldogs!) Amy, one of my best friends and rescue volunteer, rushed over there after hearing the dog wasn't walking and had to be carried over to his food and water. The man said "I am not sure if this dog will be alive when you get here, he has a wound on his chest." Amy picked him up, scanned him, (no chip of course) and she could smell the infection from his neck.
She brought him to me, we bathed him about 3 times to help with the smell. His neck appears to have a circular hole (like a bullet hole) and is literally rotting with infection. His wound being left untreated, has created his whole chest to be full of infection. His chest is swollen, red and hard. The hole is so deep, you could stick your finger in it, and it would go at least as deep as your knuckle.
We cleaned him up, flushed his wound and he perked up and actually ate some kibble. I think he knows he is in a loving home where he will get better.
We believe he is a senior boy, estimated age around 7 or 8 , intact of course, but has very good indoor manners.
He also is deaf. Completely deaf. We figure it could be from infection, so once he is on antibiotics, he may open up and regain his hearing.
The reason he is purple (hence the name, Barney) is because the man who found him flushed him with pure iodine, and it came oozing out of his wound. This is the most we could get out of the staining without me having to do some hairdresser "color job" on him... :) That will come later... :) He will have his hair done and be wearing outfits in no time. :) haha
He is problay one of the sweetest boys we have met. He let us poke and pry at him while trying to clean out his wound, and the whole time had his tongue hanging to the floor trying to catch a quick nap. (poor baby boy)
He is going to the vet tomorrow where hopefully we can get him on some antibiotic and get his infection drained. He snores so loud I think I will be up all night! He is so happy to be on a warm bed and be clean... He wound has to hurt him so bad...
We just wanted to let you know that our Christmas gift has arrived early, and hopefully he will be feeling better in no time.
Thanks Amy for bringing him to me and taking such good care of him! Also, thanks to Mary for always reminding me "what doesn't kill ya makes you stronger" and taking yet another frantic phone call late at night... You are the best!
UPDATE: DEC. 6, 2007
Barney spent the night at the vet last night, and was in surgery all day today. The vet removed all of the dead, rotted skin from around his wounded chest, drained the infection and stitched up the wound. He should be healing fast and growing new skin in that area. He is no longer purple! We have to bring him back in for his re check next week, but the vet thinks we may have to do another surgery to remove even more rotted skin. He will be on the road to recovery very soon. He has to feel so much better now.
We will begin to take applications for him now.
IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ADOPT HIM, HOW ABOUT MAKING A DONATION TOWARDS HIS CARE?
http://loveabullrescue.googlepages.com/donate
Click the above link to make a direct donation through paypal. All donations are tax deductible
Here are his pics from today:
UPDATE DEC.12, 2007
Barney had to have his surgery done YET AGAIN to keep removing the dead skin from his neck and chest. His stitches were not staying in due to the fact that there was still dead skin in that area. He is sewn back up, and the vet is confident this is the last surgery he will need! HOORAY! He is on the road to recovery. We just have to wait for his wounds to heal, and his drains to be removed, and he will be feeling like a new boy again soon.
UPDATE DEC. 21
Well, Barney saw the vet yet again today. His stitches where the original wound was are not staying in. He seems to be healing from the inside out, slowly, but we may be looking at another surgery if it doesn't begin healing soon. He is also down, not feeling well or eating well. The hole has to be flushed around 4-5 times a day while it is healing to keep it clean. Our vet feels confident this will be better in no time.
UPDATE JAN. 4, 2008
We don't even know what to say! Barney is healed! He has full clearance from our vet that he is ready to begin his life at his new home! He is feeling great! He is eating like a horse and happy as can be. It seems like overnight the skin healed from the inside. Thank you to everyone who has donated to this wonderful boy's care over the last month.
BARNEY SAYS: 2 PAWS UP FOR ALL THE SUPPORT AND DONATIONS! LICK LICK RUFF RUFF!!!!!
new pics from today:
(all the pink shiny stuff is the new skin underneath)
UPDATE: JANUARY 7, 2008
BARNEY HAS FOUND HIS FOREVER HOME WITH THE SMITH FAMILY!
CONGRATULATIONS BARNEY, WE WERE SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE MET YOU.
AN EXTRA SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR VET, ALMA SCHOOL ANIMAL HOSPITAL AND TO AMY FOR TAKING SUCH GOOD CARE OF HIM. :)