In the heartwarming world of animal rescue, stories of hope and resilience shine bright, often against the darkest of backdrops. Such is the tale of a mastiff named Mildred. Once rescued, this malnourished mastiff was brought back from the brink of starvation. Now, she leads a life of health and happiness.
Because Mildred was malnourished and emaciated, rescuers wasted no time whisking Mildred away to safety. First, Mildred was examined by a team of dedicated veterinarians. Then, the challenging journey of nourishing her starved body back to health began. It would not be an easy task. Months of neglect had taken their toll. It was a long road to a full recovery. Her story serves as a testament to the power of love and compassion.
vet examining a malnourished mastiff
One of the greatest challenges in rehabilitating a severely malnourished dog lies in the delicate balance of reintroducing nutrients. Feeding them too much in the beginning overwhelms their fragile systems. Every meal must be carefully balanced to provide adequate sustenance without causing GI distress.
Here is an excellent article on how to safely feed a malnourished dog. https://smoochie-pooch.com/nurse-malnourished-pet-health/#:~:text=Gradually%20increase%20the%20frequency%20of,one%20extra%20meal%20a%20day.
As weeks turned into months, the transformation in Mildred was nothing short of miraculous. With each passing day, her strength grew, and her once-dull eyes sparkled with newfound vigor. Slowly but surely, she gained weight. She weighed 70 pounds on the day she was rescued. After two months, she had gained 30 pounds. An ideal weight for a female mastiff at her age is 130 pounds, so weighing 100 pounds is right on target.
No longer malnourished, Mildred is enjoying her new home
No longer the emaciated shell of her former self, she now stands tall and proud. Her story serves as a reminder that with love, patience, and unwavering dedication, their is hope for other severely malnourished dogs.
Today, Mildred is living a great life. She and several other rescued dogs live with their rescuer. Mildred stands as a shining example of the transformative power of compassion. Her story serves as a reminder of the power of second chances and the extraordinary resilience that resides within every living being.
Below is a video as seen on Facebook and credited to Allison Ellis.
How many dogs are at risk of becoming malnourished each year?
On the flip side
As reported by the Morris Animal Foundation, “Recent statistics classify the majority of pets in the United States – about 56% of dogs and 60% of cats — as overweight or obese. Along with our house pets, an estimated 30% of horses are now obese, too. What is Obesity? Dogs are overweight when they weigh 10%-30% above their ideal body weight”.
This article is about an obese dog..https://happymutt.org/dog-on-a-diet-to-save-his-life/
