Sparky was a young dog with severe
under treated allergies who entered
GRRI-NJ on July 4th, a week after he had
been surrendered to a shelter by his
owners.
After doing what they could for
Sparky, including some dietary changes
and prednisone, the shelter contacted
us, hoping we could help Sparky get
well and find a new home.
Sparky's allergies were so bad that he
had a full body skin infection, his
eyes were oozing and infected, his
ears were infected, he had bitten off
entire pads of his feet, and he had
scratched his nose raw.
After arranging for transportation and
foster care, Sparky's first trip with
GRRI-NJ was to the veterinarian, where he
got a full work up, including skin
scrapings, ear swab testing, CBC/Chem,
Thyroid Panel, and Snap Test blood
work.
Sparky was immediately put on a
regiment of antibiotics, special baths
and rinses, drops, supplements, and a
prescription fish only diet.
Thanks to GRRI-NJ Volunteers Shayne
Murray, Craig DiBenedictis, Ruth Osman
and Carolyn Decina for helping Sparky.
GRRI -NJ was very grateful to have funds in
the Joann Smith Memorial Fund to do a
full veterinary work up on Sparky and to
help him feel better ... but we
discovered during his foster care that
he had a serious behavioral issue --
aggression toward humans -- that
escalated as he began to get comfortable
physically and in his surroundings, and
that had nothing to do with his medical
condition.
GRRI-NJ
was very saddened to have to make the
difficult decision to euthanize Sparky.
Aggression is a serious matter, and
saddest of all for this loving, gentle
breed, something we and other rescue
groups are seeing in Goldens with more
and more frequency.
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