Jess Was Subjected To Substandard Vet Care
I was contacted about an adult female Kangal who had been living in a garbage dump & was in desperate need of help. We later named her Jess.
Jess was in a dire state; she had stopped eating, suffered from severe mange, and her skin was covered in bleeding lesions and open sores that attracted flies. Her eyes and nose were crusty, and she appeared listless and weak.
Despite being a small organization operating with minimal support & extreme pressure on our services, we couldn't turn our backs on her. We knew that if we didn't intervene, she wouldn't survive.
In the heart of a garbage dump, where hope is often scarce, a kind-hearted gentleman emerged as a beacon of compassion for Jess.
Despite his own struggles, living on the edge with a meagre income, he saw Jess, a stray in desperate need.
His actions were nothing short of remarkable. With limited resources, he created a makeshift shelter from discarded items, offering her a fragile refuge.
Even on an empty stomach, he shared stale bread with Jess, prioritizing her well-being over his own.
This touching act of selflessness illuminates the beauty of humanity amidst adversity.
It serves as a powerful reminder of the impact one individual can have, even in a country grappling with the treatment of its stray dogs.
Such stories fuel my passion to advocate tirelessly for the welfare of Turkey’s stray animals, inspiring a relentless pursuit of change and compassion even on my darkest days.
Initially, Jess was taken to a local vet for urgent care. I knew her health was very fragile, and she needed help as soon as possible.
The local veterinary practice was known to me and one that I trusted. However, the veterinarian there had left, and a new vet had taken his place.
I was immediately a little anxious, as I know that not all vets are created equal in Turkey. With only 5% of the population owning pets, many veterinarians do not have small animal experience and work only with farm animals.
I was absolutely furious with what happened next.
Chasing the vet for updates on Jess, a dog in desperate need of urgent care, was frustrating enough. But when we finally got the information, it was clear that the standard of care was severely lacking.
The initial clip sent to me was infuriating. The vet nurses kept an inexplicable distance from Jess. Sure, gloves are necessary to protect her compromised immune system, but there was no reason to sit so far away. And the spoon—what were they thinking?
Any experienced vet nurse would know that trying to feed a dog with no appetite like that is pointless. I was already angry and protective of Jess, but things were about to get even worse.
The situation with Jess made me furious.
The fact that leishmaniasis was suspected but no test was done is unbelievable, especially when such a test easily accessible at any vet clinic in kit form.
Jess was severely dehydrated, yet she wasn't receiving fluids through a drip.
Her bleeding wounds were barely attended to, with only a poorly wrapped bandage on her tail.
It was appalling to see her left in a basement room with just an old sheet to lie on. The level of care was unacceptable and left me outraged.
I contacted our coordinator right away "get her the hell out of there immediately"
We arranged with our coordinator to have a car pick up Jess and take her to an animal hospital where I was sure she would receive the care she needed.
Jess was a pitiful sight when she arrived at the hospital.
The previous vet had not even made an attempt to clean her up to make her more comfortable.
She had been given absolutely no help whatsoever. At this point I was raging & crying at the same time.
How could any health professional behave this way?
A matter of a few days after Jess arrived at the hospital, she was already looking so much better.
Her fur was clean, her eyes and nose had been carefully tended to, and she had received the lifesaving fluids and electrolytes she desperately needed.
The hospital staff had also started providing her with essential immune support.
Jess underwent a comprehensive series of tests to evaluate her overall health and identify the root cause of her problems.
Fortunately, she was found to be free of distemper. However, as anticipated, she tested positive for leishmaniasis, a severe disease transmitted by sandflies.
Blood tests indicated that Jess's kidneys were under stress and her general health was compromised.
The veterinary team aimed to bolster her strength before commencing the treatment specifically targeting her leishmaniasis.
Seeing a dog eat is typically an ordinary sight, not something that usually stands out.
Yet, when we observed Jess eagerly devouring her meal and thoroughly cleaning her bowl, it brought tears to our eyes.
This simple act was a clear sign that she was feeling better, confirming that the treatment was working.
We received some wonderful news from our vet: Jess is stable and healthy enough to begin her medication for leishmaniasis.
Although we are uncertain about how she will respond to the treatment, all we can do now is wait and hope for the best outcome.
Our dear girl remains in a challenging situation, facing a journey toward full health that promises to be both lengthy and demanding.
Please keep her in your thoughts as she continues to battle through.
Her life has been marked by significant suffering, and we are committed to doing everything possible to change her circumstances. Our aim is to offer her the chance to experience the long and joyful life she so richly deserves.