Many have seen the picture of the beaten-up white dog all over FaceBook, on the Lost and Found Pets in Levelland page, now known as Salty.
Seeming frightened and injured, it’s safe to say he is now in safe hands at the College Avenue Animal Clinic. The clinic gave him his name as well.
Salty was found by Keri Love, a local here in Levelland. She immediately drove him to the clinic where he was seen and prepared for flea and tick removal.
“My hairdresser called me saying there’s a dog and we don’t know how long he’s been there. He isn’t moving and won’t eat or drink,” said Love.
Upon examination, Salty was immobilized and had multiple injuries.
“It appears he was probably attacked by a dog, though unsure if that was the cause of all his issues,” said Jill Pitt, another local who resides here in Levelland. Salty also has tick fever, which is very harmful to him. Tick fever is a condition seen in dogs caused by the Rickettsia rickettsii bacteria which (in the US) is spread primarily through the bite of an infected American dog tick, Rocky Mountain wood tick, or brown dog tick.
The symptoms of tick fever in dogs are somewhat vague and extremely varied in nature making a diagnosis of tick fever challenging in some cases. Some of the most common symptoms of tick fever in dogs include: Fever up to 105°F (40.5°C), loss of appetite, enlarged lymph nodes, inflammation of joints, vomiting and diarrhea, facial or limb swelling, coughing, breathing difficulties and abdominal pain. In more severe cases dogs may exhibit round, purplish-red spots inside of the eyelids and mouth caused by bleeding below the surface. About 30% of dogs will experience central nervous system symptoms such as: Altered mental states, impaired balance and painful spinal sensitivity.
“ The veterinarians are going to reevaluate and see what’s going on and see if we can get a better ultrasound,” said Pitt.
Pitt, Love and the Animal Clinic are looking for donations to go towards Salty’s surgeries and any medications needed. To make a donation, stop by the College Avenue Animal Clinic; all proceeds go to Salty’s care.