Severely Emaciated Mama Needs Your Help
This mama came to our Sam Swope Pet Treatment and Lifesaving Center yesterday afternoon after arriving at Louisville Metro Animal Services in horrific condition. She has 8 – yes, EIGHT – six-week-old puppies in tow and has clearly sacrificed her health and wellbeing to keep them alive. This poor mama – who we’ve named Darla – weighs only 41 pounds when she should weight at least 65 pounds, and is so emaciated that we can see every bone in her frail body.
As we prepared to welcome Darla and her puppies, we were notified that one was failing to thrive and required constant, overnight care to survive. We quickly lined up a foster home with a staff member, who has since been syringe-feeding this baby every couple of hours in hopes of keeping her alive. Though this puppy’s prognosis is VERY guarded, we’re doing everything we can to save her life.
Darla’s puppies are beginning to wean but still nurse frequently. She MUST gain weight to survive this season of motherhood, so we’re providing her with frequent, high calorie meals to offset the nutrition she’s pouring into her puppies while nursing. We will check her weight daily to ensure she’s on the right track and if needed, we’ll provide supplements that increase appetite. Thankfully Darla is eating well so far, and that gives us a glimmer of hope.
For now, this canine family is resting comfortably in a foster home. We’re hopeful this will not only protect them from illness, but will also provide Darla a peaceful place to recover. With a foster mom to help relieve her of some of her motherly duties, she’ll be able to get more rest and focus on gaining weight. Please donate in honor of Darla and her babies so we can continue to welcome animal families in need at a moment’s notice. Thank you!