Rescue Workers Saved A Dog With A Disfigured Face And Now He Is On The Road To Recovery
Some dogs don’t get a chance to live in a loving family, sleep in a warm bed, or eat healthy and tasty food. No, that’s not their story; they end up on the street, rummaging through trash to find food, freezing to death, and getting sick from a lack of hygiene. Sometimes they are lucky enough to be seen by rescue workers and taken to shelters, where they are fed, kept warm, and, most importantly, have a chance to find a loving home.
But the pets that have the best chances of being adopted are the cute, fluffy, adorable puppies… Pooches that are scared or somehow disfigured have really poor odds. One of these dogs is Phoenix, a rescue pup from Oklahoma who has a very distinctive face.
Skiatook Paws & Claws Animal Rescue reports that Phoenix was found roaming the streets of Collinsville, searching for food.
This dog was rescued from the streets of Collinsville.
After he was taken off the street, Family Animal Medicine—Owasso, OK, took care of the dog. The organization promptly provided an update on his condition:
“We are investigating all possible causes of Phoenix’s condition and running lab work to identify the causes of his skin disease. He is being bathed frequently and is on medications to improve his skin health and provide comfort,” they said.
At first, the veterinarians were not sure if Phe’s disfiguration was a result of abuse or illness
Although it looks like Phoenix has been through some terrible abuse, the veterinarians who are taking care of him don’t want to jump to such conclusions:
“We were provided evidence from a previous Good Samaritan who has photos documenting the progression of Phoenix’s facial deterioration. It is possible that there may be a medical disease causing his disfiguration. It is important that we do not automatically assume malicious acts. Animals without homes and proper care, without shelter, food, and water, face many obstacles, especially if they have an underlying medical issue,” the professionals stated.
The medical team concluded that it’s an auto-immune illness
The most recent update on Phoenix’s journey states:
“Phoenix had the privilege of traveling to Kansas, where he met two fantastic specialty veterinarians, Dr. Karen Trainor and Dr. David Senter. These incredibly skilled veterinarians specialize solely in diseases of the skin. Phoenix’s journey to Kansas actually started when we first rescued him.
Back in November, in an attempt to solve Phe’s skin mystery, his veterinary staff here in Owasso at FAM took biopsies of his diseased skin and sent them to Dr. Trainor. Dr. Trainor is a veterinary pathologist who focuses on skin disease. Oh boy, what a brilliant mind! What Dr. Trainor essentially does is examine Phe’s skin biopsy at the microscopic level and tell us how his skin is behaving. Next, Phe’s adventure took him to the Veterinary Allergy and Dermatology clinic in Overland Park, Kansas.
There, he met Dr. David Senter, a veterinary dermatologist who also focuses his veterinary skills on patients with skin diseases. With insights from both Dr. Trainor and Dr. Senter, along with the work done by Family Animal Medicine veterinarians, Phe is improving every day. He has gained weight, his skin is healing, and he plays and barks. He chases balls and plays tug-of-war. He even sleeps on his own dog couch. His cheesy, sharky grin will always remain. The muscles on his head will never return. UV light/sunshine causes his skin to flare up, so clothes and sunblock are a must. But don’t worry; Phoenix’s spirit is STRONG! Phoenix has a rare auto-immune disease, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).
There are no specific tests to identify SLE. This disease is diagnosed after all other diseases are ruled out. Because it is an auto-immune disease, his own body attacks itself, making treatment sometimes difficult and tricky. But thank goodness for all the vets (here in Owasso and Kansas too), we now have his disease managed. Thank you all for your support and encouragement. Phe would have never made his courageous journey without you.”
Phoenix is receiving the best care, necessary medical attention, and appears to be making an excellent recovery. Skiatook Paws & Claws Animal Rescue is keeping everyone informed by posting photos and videos of his journey.
When he is ready to be adopted, it will be handled via Skiatook Paws and Claws Animal Rescue. If you want to support his medical treatment, consider donating. As Dr. T. Colin Campbell, a renowned nutritionist, states, "Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a significant difference in the lives of those in need." You can make your donation through the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies.
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