Gulliver

Gulliver was so sick upon his release from the Pound that he spent nearly two weeks in the vet hospital having all sorts of tests and being kept on a drip. Initial tests revealed serious anaemia and the vet wasn’t hopeful as there were thoughts that Gulliver might have cancer so further tests were needed. We at PAWS were devastated because, once we had seen him in the Pound in such a terrible state and so listless, we were determined that Gulliver would get well and enjoy some happiness and good health in his life as he had been severely neglected for many years. At the Pound, his eyes never left his rescuers and that was the only part of him that could move at that point. You could see the fleas on him from a distance as they were so profuse and he was bald in places but matted in others. We prepared ourselves to say goodbye to this dear little dog and the kind vet staff were very upset because, during his few days there, his sweet nature was very endearing and his little tail never stopped wagging whenever they treated him. And then came the good news - his tests showed a long term whipworm infection! This has now been treated but Gulliver is currently still a bag of bones and on lots of small meals every day until he begins to gain some coverage on his back, hip and ribs.

UPDATE 20 FEBRUARY: Gulliver was well enough to have his surgery two weeks ago and had most of his teeth extracted but is now fully recovered and thankfully pain free. His stitches came out last weekend (he was also desexed whilst under anaesthetic) and, in the last couple of days, Gulliver has really begun to show his personality. He dances around in delight at the sight of his foster carer and watches her wherever she goes then likes to follow if possible. He loves his doggy foster brothers and sisters and curls up very close to them if he’s not on his foster carer’s lap. Gulliver is like a sponge where love is concerned after so many years totally unloved. He’s still a little underweight so is still on three small meals a day but he can now have tiny biscuits which he wouldn’t even try previously due to his sore mouth. Today Gulliver found his voice and barked at the dog next door! He’s also busy learning house training and how to use a doggy door - all huge steps for a severely neglected little man.