Police officer saves stray dog who was shot, malnourished and maggot ridden
One little stray dog in Kentucky is like a cat with nine lives. He was originally found by Lieutenant Matthew Castle of Martin City Police Department in Floyd County, KY. At the time he was in very poor condition, starved, shot and with his wounds infested with maggots, he urgently needed help. Lt. Castle described his condition, "I don't think he could have lasted much longer. He was so malnourished that he couldn't even use his hind legs. He was having to walk on his front paws."
Immediately after his rescue the Martin City PD couldn't get a hold of a vet or animal rescue so they put up a photo and message on their Facebook page asking for help. Shauna Brown from Floyd County Animal Shelter immediately responded and came to the poor dog's aid. She named him Castle after the officer who saved him. After examining the little 14-pound dog, it appeared that he had also been hit by a car in addition to having been starved and shot with a bb gun. She suspected he was a stray because he did not act like he had ever had a home.
After treating him for his wounds they fitted him with a wheelchair but Castle did not respond well to it. For now they're focusing on just getting him back to health and then they will place him in a home or find a rescue who will help find him a loving home.
On August 17 Castle went to the vet for some more extensive testing. The good news is that he is heartworm negative, but the bloodwork also showed elevated liver levels due to the starvation. Castle is also anemic and has an infection, which are being treated with antiobiotics. His X-rays show that he has had a healed fracture in his pelvis, however his femur had been completely shattered. It has already begun healing and Castle is on some pain meds to help this. Future plans are for him to get hydrotherapy to help regain the use of his back legs. But, overall it was a pretty good diagnosis.
But then on August 20th, little Castle had a setback in his road back to health. Unfortunately he tested positive that morning for parvovirus and had to stay in the doggie hospital. Castle had just tested negative the week before for the disease so this came as a blow to his caregiver. Shauna wrote in despair on the rescue's FB page, "As if he hasn't been through enough already. Now this. As weak as he was already, I just honestly don't know if he will make it thru. We're starting meds now along with more fluids. He's come so far. This just isn't fair."
But true to his 'determined to live' nature, on August 24th, Castle had beaten his fight with parvo! Shauna posted the great news, "I have wonderful news. Castle has been discharged from the hospital and is back here with me. He's eating well and using the potty outside! Can u believe all the things that he's overcome in his short life?"
On Castle's latest update on August 29, he is doing really well a week after being hospitalized with parvo. Shauna shared a video of Castle waking up and barking (see below). He's begun to talk quite a bit. Shauna writes, "He started something new today. He barks! If you are eating he stares at you and barks til he gets a bite. If he hears my other dogs bark, he will bark too. And if anyone gets too close to my bed, he Really barks lol."
Castle is also enjoying snuggling up to everyone in Shauna's family. She says, "Woke up this morning and couldn't find him anywhere. He either sleeps in my bed or on one of his beds beside of my bed and he wasn't there. I looked outside. I looked in my closet. Finally I saw him sleeping soundly on my couch with Lucas! Don't know how he got up there and Lucas didn't know either so he must be able to get some bounce out of those back legs now." Life is finally starting to look good for the little dog who refused to die!
One little stray dog in Kentucky is like a cat with nine lives. He was originally found by Lieutenant Matthew Castle of Martin City Police Department in Floyd County, KY. At the time he was in very poor condition, starved, shot and with his wounds infested with maggots, he urgently needed help. Lt. Castle described his condition, "I don't think he could have lasted much longer. He was so malnourished that he couldn't even use his hind legs. He was having to walk on his front paws."
Immediately after his rescue the Martin City PD couldn't get a hold of a vet or animal rescue so they put up a photo and message on their Facebook page asking for help. Shauna Brown from Floyd County Animal Shelter immediately responded and came to the poor dog's aid. She named him Castle after the officer who saved him. After examining the little 14-pound dog, it appeared that he had also been hit by a car in addition to having been starved and shot with a bb gun. She suspected he was a stray because he did not act like he had ever had a home.
After treating him for his wounds they fitted him with a wheelchair but Castle did not respond well to it. For now they're focusing on just getting him back to health and then they will place him in a home or find a rescue who will help find him a loving home.
On August 17 Castle went to the vet for some more extensive testing. The good news is that he is heartworm negative, but the bloodwork also showed elevated liver levels due to the starvation. Castle is also anemic and has an infection, which are being treated with antiobiotics. His X-rays show that he has had a healed fracture in his pelvis, however his femur had been completely shattered. It has already begun healing and Castle is on some pain meds to help this. Future plans are for him to get hydrotherapy to help regain the use of his back legs. But, overall it was a pretty good diagnosis.
But then on August 20th, little Castle had a setback in his road back to health. Unfortunately he tested positive that morning for parvovirus and had to stay in the doggie hospital. Castle had just tested negative the week before for the disease so this came as a blow to his caregiver. Shauna wrote in despair on the rescue's FB page, "As if he hasn't been through enough already. Now this. As weak as he was already, I just honestly don't know if he will make it thru. We're starting meds now along with more fluids. He's come so far. This just isn't fair."
But true to his 'determined to live' nature, on August 24th, Castle had beaten his fight with parvo! Shauna posted the great news, "I have wonderful news. Castle has been discharged from the hospital and is back here with me. He's eating well and using the potty outside! Can u believe all the things that he's overcome in his short life?"
On Castle's latest update on August 29, he is doing really well a week after being hospitalized with parvo. Shauna shared a video of Castle waking up and barking (see below). He's begun to talk quite a bit. Shauna writes, "He started something new today. He barks! If you are eating he stares at you and barks til he gets a bite. If he hears my other dogs bark, he will bark too. And if anyone gets too close to my bed, he Really barks lol."
Castle is also enjoying snuggling up to everyone in Shauna's family. She says, "Woke up this morning and couldn't find him anywhere. He either sleeps in my bed or on one of his beds beside of my bed and he wasn't there. I looked outside. I looked in my closet. Finally I saw him sleeping soundly on my couch with Lucas! Don't know how he got up there and Lucas didn't know either so he must be able to get some bounce out of those back legs now." Life is finally starting to look good for the little dog who refused to die!
Photos Video Via Facebook Martin City Police Department
dear family...........if karma exists Gd is gonna give you more and more every day. Thanks so much for your gold and kind heart. Gd bless you all!
can he not get his pelvis reset so he can regain the use of his legs?
Sending lots of love and positive thoughts to you Sweetheart...Live Long!..Live happy!..Live healthy!
God help and bless this family.
Poor darling - hope he makes a full recovery. Thanks for rescuing him.
Goddess's and Gods will bless you eternally for your caring and unconditional loving hearts. Our animals find us, we don't find them. There is good reason this poor creature has been introduced into your life. Goddess knew who she wanted to care for and protect this poor animal that so desperately needed healing intervention. Thank you for taking time to help give him a second chance at what will eventually be a good life. You will find he will bless your life with unconditional love and protection. Bless you for your kindness.
Thank you for your kindness. May God bless you always.
Such a sweet faced puppy. Thank you for saving this beautiful soul. How anyone can turn their back on this poor critter is beyond me. May God bless and keep you and yours who have helped this precious puppy.