LAWRENCEVILLE, GA…..Sweet three year old German Shepherd was picked up as a stray in the most horrifying condition. To first look at Georgia, you are not sure if she is very young or very old. She was picked up as a stray and taken to Gwinnett County Animal Control. Poor Georgia looked and smelled like she was on death's door. We stepped up for her since the rescues that wanted her were so far away. Georgia needed immediate medical care and did not have time to waste for a transport to get her. Once it was determined we were getting her, we immediately put someone on the road to make sure she got out.
Based on the way she looked we all assumed she had a very bad case of mange. That turned out to not be the case. Her bloodwork came back that she was very anemic and was generally in terrible health. She has an upper respiratory infection on top of everything else All of the skin scrapes came back negative for any mites. We did a thyroid panel to see if that was the problem and that cam back negative. What we did find is that her entire skin is loaded with yeast and fungus. On top of that she has several nasty infections that are literally killing her inside and out. Her body is one big infection.
What we think happened to this wonderful dog is that she had mange at one time. The person got rid of the mange but they did not treat the skin infections or the yeast. Her immune system shut down and now her body cannot fight the infection any longer. Her nervous system has to be shot from all of the skin inflammation and itching that she has endured. We have had Georgia for almost two weeks now and she is still very sick. We are not even thinking about fur growing back until we can get her healthy enough for her body to start functioning normally again. Her upper respiratory infection is finally getting better and her skin is not a hot mess like it was in the beginning. Sweet Georgia is finally comfortable enough to get some sleep and start the healing process. To say that Georgia is always on our mind is an understatement. We just want her to round the corner in her recovery.
Georgia is going to be gorgeous when we get her on the mend. We have not had any problems with her disposition and she has been as sweet as can be during all of her procedures. We understand that she feels bad so we are expecting her to be upset with us, but that has not happened. All she wants is love and affection which she is getting lots and lots of.
Georgia will not be available for adoption until she is well and we feel confident we have diagnosed what caused this. We will be taking applications for our dear girl now for her to be adopted later. She has not shown any interest in other dogs but that could change once she feels better. Keep Georgia in your thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery. Thanks for caring.
