BEAUFORT, SC…….Two weeks ago we were contacted by a 20 year old that wanted help with a five month old puppy she and her Fiancé found by the side of the road in Ridgeland, SC. She explained to me that she wanted to adopt the puppy but needed help because she has a medical condition. She went on about how she had taken the puppy to a vet in Beaufort, and the puppy was diagnosed with Mega-Esophagus because she could not keep food down. The vet went into a lot of detail to explain to the young lady what could be causing this and how the pup needed to be fed. I explained to her how we took care of our Mega-E dogs feeding, etc. and how critical it is for them to be fed in an upright position. I later sent her a note back asking for an x-ray so I could send it to our surgeons to see if this puppy were a candidate for surgery.
This past Friday I got an e-mail from Beaufort County Animal Control asking me to help a puppy that needs Critical Care ASAP. I called the AC Officer back and explained to her that I had already spoken to the person that had this puppy and was waiting for an x-ray from them. I was very confused at this point and sent AC my e-mails and pictures to see if this was the same puppy. It was. I found out that the person that had contacted me had turned the puppy into Animal Control. She told them she was found as a stray and NEVER mentioned her condition or her medical needs. Beaufort County proceeded to treat sweet Cricket just like every other puppy, never realizing that were very close to killing this sweet dog. During the night, Cricket aspirated her food and for the next two days her condition became critical. She had developed Aspiration Pneumonia, was running a high fever and needed to be in ICU in an oxygen chamber.
To say I was outraged is an understatement. This young Lady knew what Cricket had and put her Life in danger by not telling the people she handed the puppy over to. Turning a dog over to Animal Control is not animal abuse, but handing one over that you know has a medical condition that could die from being fed regular food, I feel is. Because of her actions, Cricket is in Critical Care in ICU. If I had not stepped up immediately, she would have died. I gave Beaufort County all of the information and also gave them the person's name, address and phone number. The Animal Control Officer assured me this person would be charged with Animal Cruelty. They have yet to take action and do this.
In the meantime, Cricket is in ICU fighting for her Life. We have had to find a Thoracotomy Specialist that can deal with all the complications that come from doing surgery on an animal with a Persistent Right Aortic Arch. I have finally found one that I am comfortable with doing this procedure.
If you feel Beaufort County Animal Care Services did not handle this properly, drop them a note and let them know.
