Dogs suffering from skin disease need homes to avoid euthanasia

by: wflaemmayepsen

Posted: Mar 29, 2016 / 11:41 AM EDT

Updated: Mar 29, 2016 / 11:41 AM EDT

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL (WFLA) — Rugaz Rescue, a Tampa Bay area non-profit organization that rescues and adopts abandoned and neglected pit bulls, needs help with numerous dogs they have recently saved from euthanasia at local animal shelters.

Rugaz Rescue is looking for foster homes and donations to help with five special cases. The five dogs are all suffering from demodectic mange — a painful yet treatable skin disease that is not contagious to other pets or to people.

“Darby” is a very tiny and frail dog, whose skin is the most painful and swollen the animal rescue group has seen in quite some time. He was surrendered to a shelter by a concerned citizen who learned that his owner was going to shoot him in lieu of providing medical treatment for his extreme case of demodectic mange. The skin on his paws and chest are so raw and swollen that they are cracking and ripping open. Darby is currently undergoing medical treatment at a local veterinarian’s office and is receiving treatment including daily medicated baths for his skin which is literally ripping apart. Unfortunately, he is also suffering from a severe upper respiratory infection, as well.

“Emmet,” who was found as a stray, is also suffering from demodectic mange as well as secondary skin infections, which complicates his condition and requires antibiotic therapy. Emmet is currently in isolation at the veterinarian’s office to help protect him from potential infection until the antibiotics build up in his system.

“Winona” and “Sundae” are two girls who are developing raw and swollen sores all over their bodies from the treatable disease. They are just beginning treatment. Rugaz Rescue noticed upon intake that Winona was having difficulty eating and it was discovered that she had a foreign object lodged in her throat that had to be surgically removed. Sundae is not even 1-year-old.

Finally, there’s “Snoopy,” yet another young dog who is slated for euthanasia at a local shelter for this treatable condition. The animal rescue group is in need of a foster home for 1-2 months where Snoopy can heal before he can be adopted. Without a foster home they will not be able to save him.

Rugaz Rescue is a non-profit organization that relies solely on donations to help provide abandoned dogs with much-needed medical care.

For more information, visit http://gogetfunding.com/saving-them-from-demodex/. Donations can also be made to the rescue’s account at their veterinarian, Regency Park Animal Hospital at 727-848-6247, 7741 Congress Street, New Port Richey, FL 34653.

Anyone interested in fostering “Snoopy” or any of the other dogs in their care, please contact Foster@RugazRescue.com.WHAT OTHERS ARE CLICKING ON RIGHT NOW: