Amilia and Scrappy were found trapped in their kennels inside of an abandoned apartment on Des Moines’ south side. No food or water had been left for the dogs, and no one knows how long they had been suffering.
According to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, as soon as the dogs were discovered, animal rescue officers rushed to the location and immediately transported the dogs to the organization’s emergency veterinarian team ready to administer life-saving treatment. The two large breed dogs were little more than skin and bones; barely weighing in at 22 pounds each.
Amilia was the most serious case. Not only was she emaciated, but she also showed signs of respiratory distress and shock. She was barely able to stand and too weak to walk. Radiographs showed no signs of any obstructions in her stomach; she had been nearly starved to death and abandoned – no food or water, and her body had been slowly and painfully wasting away. Amilia likely would have died within hours had she not been rescued.
Our veterinarians said she would have died within hours if she had not been rescued. Even once she was in our care we weren’t sure she would survive.
We knew we had to rehydrate her as carefully and quickly as possible, so we started IV fluids and monitored her condition closely. In the first day in our care she gained 9 pounds — just from rehydration.
Facebook Animal Rescue League of Iowa
Both dogs are now on a special diet program to help them slowly regain weight safely. Dogs with severe emaciation must be fed very carefully.
Raevon Teel, 20, of Des Moines has been arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated animal neglect in this case.
Updates to follow.
A donation to Animal Rescue League’s Miracle Medical Fund will provide lifesaving care and rehabilitation for Amilia and Scrappy and other survivors of animal cruelty. They didn’t ask for this to happen to them, but with your help, they can not only put them on the road to recovery but make sure they will know love from now on.
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