Found lost and neglected with severe leg wounds and a heartworm infection, Dipper needs your help
After arriving at our Newark Shelter, our veterinary team leaped into action!
Dipper is only 1.5 years old, but he has already seen more hardship than any dog should have to face. Found as a lost pet by our animal control officers, he arrived at our Newark shelter on March 25, 2024 in very rough shape.
Dipper’s body showed signs of long-term neglect and it was clear he needed immediate veterinary attention. His legs had several large, deep wounds and abrasions, some of which were clearly old wounds that had never been treated. Dipper also had what appeared to be a bite wound to his ear, various other abrasions on his body, and was absolutely filthy – with a dirt-covered and grimy coat in desperate need of a good grooming.
Dipper Received Lifesaving Medical Care
Our team quickly jumped into action – finally providing Dipper with some relief and the medical care he so desperately needed. He was transferred to our Forked River shelter where his wounds were thoroughly cleaned, treated with wound antibacterial ointment, and carefully wrapped to keep them clean and dry. We did some further tests and unfortunately uncovered a few hidden problems that required urgent treatment.
X-Rays of his swollen leg showed an old fracture that did not heal appropriately combined with a possible bone infection. Additionally his bloodwork came back positive for a heartworm infection, which can be fatal if left untreated. Dipper was started on some medications to combat these infections and is being carefully monitored by our team.
Dipper Gets Laser Therapy Treatment & Lots of TLC!
Dipper has now been with us for a little over 2 weeks and has been improving every day! He has also been getting laser therapy treatments several times a week to help encourage his wounds to heal.
Through all the medical treatments, pain, and uncertainty that Dipper must have been feeling, it was clear that he could not have been more grateful to be rescued. Dipper’s tail never stops wagging!
Help support Dipper by fostering or donating to his medical care!
This sweet Shepherd has taken his whole situation in stride and has been such a good boy! Our staff has been spoiling him with all the love and attention he could want – and he could not be happier! To say that Dipper loves people would be an understatement. He is the epitome of a social butterfly – stealing hearts and making friends wherever he goes.
We would love to find a foster home for Dipper to recover in. With his million-dollar smile and friendly demeanor, we know there’s someone out there who will love this sweet boy just as much as we do!
Dipper’s road to recovery is well underway – but he still has a ways to go. His wounds are looking better every day and he has been responding well to his treatments. Dipper has a few more weeks of heartworm treatment and medication to go and will need to have limited exercise and careful monitoring while he heals.
If you’re interested in fostering, please contact laceyfoster@ahsppz.org to inquire.
If you can’t foster, please consider making a donation to our ResQFund on behalf of Dipper and the many others like him that come to AHS for help every day.
Thanks so much for your support!
