Photos of a dog too weak to move away from a puddle of water and needing to use her front leg to prop herself up enough to keep her nose out of the water went viral on Tuesday morning. No one was quite sure exactly where the dog was located – her photos were haunting, and for hours rescuers tried to find the location of the dog they later named Leah, in order to save her life.
For hours, Leah waited in one spot, and it was a Good Samaritan and a team of rescuers from ThisIsHouston who were close by and were able to pick her up.
Leah was rushed to Blue Pearl Emergency Veterinary Services where she made it through the night, but not without major physical challenges. She had been diagnosed with Caval Syndrome because of severe heartworm disease accompanied by anemia and high levels of bilirubin. Her echocardiogram showed the enormous load of heartworms, and it was suspected the heartworms could have made their way into her brain.
Leah was rushed to Texas A&M Small Animal Hospital and earlier today headed into surgery where she coded soon after the procedure began. Because of her neurological status it was decided to change her code/CPR to red meaning DNR. Surgeons tried to remove heartworms but her heart stopped beating and tragically, the damage had already been done.
This poor pup essentially made her own decision, although she put up a good fight. And another human failure – and the prevention against heartworms is so easily done!
A&M will be doing a necropsy and wanted to submit a sample for rabies testing as well. The necropsy will help them – and us – understand how she got this way, what was causing her symptoms and may possibly help other dogs in the future…
ThisIsHouston
Rest in peace Leah. We are heartbroken humans failed you.
Read previous coverage of Leah’s story here.
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