Five-week-old puppy fights for his life

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This article was published 25/07/2012 (4978 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Kix had to fight for his life — and it was a struggle the young puppy almost didn’t survive.

The five-week old collie pup was flown to Winnipeg from northern Manitoba on July 13 by the Fort Richmond-based Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue. He was in critical condition at the time after being mauled by a larger dog.

“We were sent a picture from one of our contacts. Pretty much from (Kix’s) chest right to his shoulder blade was ripped open. We had to take him straight to the vet,” said Deanne Peterson, MMDR’s director of public relations.

Kix was taken to Southglen Veterinary Hospital on St. Anne’s Road in St. Vital where veterinarians checked his vital signs and cleaned his wounds. His condition had stabilized enough that he was able to undergo surgery July 16.

“He did pretty well in surgery,” Peterson said. “His blood levels are still low, but now that his wounds are put back together it will help his body recover a little bit more.”

Kix recovered quickly enough the organization was able to place him with a foster family last week while he awaits adoption.

“He’s looking pretty good,” Peterson said of Kix, who is not much bigger than a human hand.

“He’s on antibiotics that are clearing him up. He’s getting all the medication he needs to stay strong and heal properly. We’re pretty sure he’s going to make it and he’ll be going up for adoption in the next week.”

 

Manitoba Mutts, which is funded through public donations, is covering the cost of Kix’s surgery and medical care, which Peterson said will end up costing about $3,000.

“The surgery was about $1,500, but he was at the vet for five days before he was brought home, so we’ve got all of the care for the vet stay, plus the medication,” she said.

MMDR was founded in January of last year. Peterson said stories like Kix’s are far more common than volunteers with the organization would like.

“On Sunday we flew down a four-month-old puppy who was hit by a van and has two really bad breaks on his back legs. He needs surgery to repair his leg. It’s pretty common we’ve got a few dogs that require this special care,” she said.

Peterson said the dog rescue brings in nearly 20 rescues in a typical week and brought in 17 animals on one particular day earlier this month.

“Typically on a slow week we bring in 10 dogs, and on a busy week it’s closer to 20. We’re constantly bringing in dogs from all across Manitoba,” she said.

“We’ve rescued and adopted out over 650 dogs since our inception last year.”

The non-profit organization is working on obtaining its charitable status, and does not yet have a dedicated facility of its own.

“We rely on our 60 to 80 foster homes and would like to remain foster home-based as they offer an opportunity for the dogs to learn how to be in a family situation. But, we are hoping to get a facility to hold dogs short term and hold events,” Peterson said.

St. James resident Shannon Traill has been fostering dogs for MMDR since May, and said it’s a great experience.

“It’s good not only for the dogs, but for the fosters, too. It’s nice to form bonds with them,” Traill said.

Traill, who’s now fostered six dogs, said the hardest part is letting them go.

“I’ve totally cried for every dog I say goodbye to. But it helps knowing they’re going to a good home, and you get to foster another one,” she said.

For more information, or to support MMDR, visit manitobamutts.org.

danielle.finch@canstarnews.com