Saving Dogo Zac
Zac, a Dogo Argentino, was abandoned and left to wander the streets in distress.
He was found drooling excessively and extremely thin. He was clearly very unwell & had been terribly neglected.
Zac, the dogo, was previously under the care of another organization where he was being treated for anaplasmosis.
Unfortunately, the treatment was not effective, and he was not showing signs of improvement. As a result, Zac came under our care, where we providing him with the necessary attention to aid his recovery.
Zac was sent to our consultant vet who gave him a thorough assessment & confirmed that Zac was well aside from the anaplasmosis.
We were initially worried that the infection might be resistant to antibiotics, a scenario we hoped would not be confirmed.
With this in mind, we proceeded with a treatment plan involving doxycycline, operating under the assumption that any lack of response might have been due to either insufficient dosing or, in the worst-case scenario, a complete lack of prior treatment.
Zac's treatment plan included a combination of medication and a meticulous feeding schedule.
He was accommodated in a private kennel within the medical area, ensuring he received the best care.
It was advantageous for Zac not to be confined to a side room at the clinic, as access to sunshine and fresh air through the yard area outside his private kennel contributed positively to his well-being.
As the days passed, Zac got stronger and stronger.
We were pretty sure that the anaplasmosis had responded to the treatment, and he began to gain weight steadily.
His energy levels improved, and his appetite returned, allowing him to enjoy his meals once more. It was a relief to see him recovering so well after such a challenging period.
A return visit to our vet confirmed that the anaplasmosis was gone & that Zac was indeed gaining weight at a steady rate.
He would need to return to clinic for weighing until he reached his optimum weight, but for now our boy was out of danger
Zac was an excellent patient but despite him being very patient regarding his confinement to a private kennel, we were all keen to get him in to the main pack.
Aside from dogs who are not comfortable around other dogs, we find that dogs are so much happier when they are in a social group. We so wanted this for Zac.
Sadly, despite Zac being cured of anaplasmosis he was later diagnosed with cancer & passed away.
We were devastated, but took comfort in being able to keep him safe & give him all the things he needed to be comfortable, pain free & happy.