Meet 6-month-old Zorro.
Graphic images included Meet Zorro a new rescue right now fighting to stay alive. He was brought in this morning...
Posted by Horizon Animal Heroes on Tuesday, February 9, 2016
The puppy is being treated at Bixby's Horizon Animal Hospital after growing up in a meth house.
The costs of his treatments are being covered by the Horizon Animal Heroes. This is the first time they've had to deal with a "meth dog" according to the organizations president, Joleen Hansen.
"He's having a hard time. He's calm right now, and I think he's over most of the withdrawals now," Hansen said.
The group said he was likely raised in a meth home and not only exposed to the drugs, but also ingested them.
Hansen says that dogs process meth differently. Just being exposed to the drug can leave the burns and sores you see covering his body. Just like humans, Zorro became addicted to the drug and after being left to die in a ditch, he began to go through withdrawals. His cries have been nonstop for two days, according to Hansen.
Posted by Horizon Animal Heroes on Tuesday, February 9, 2016
On top of all the burns, Zorro is suffering from Demodectic Mange, an infestation of mites that leads to sores and hair loss along the dog's body. Hansen says, "he's very emaciated and has not had a good life in his whole six months."
He was also malnourished and is now struggling to control his body temperature. Most dogs have a temperature around 100 degrees but Zorro's temperature is fluctuating between 90 to 94 degrees.
His treatments consist of routine cream treatments for his skin, an IV drip with blood and plasma replenishment, and constant care. Zorro is refusing to eat because of severe meth burns on his tongue, according to his care takers.
Hansen says they aren't sure he'll make it through the week, but believe immediate treatment could save his life.
In order to do that, they've started a fundraiser for his care. In just a few days the rescue group has raised more than $5,000. The cost of Zorro's treatment will go up as he needs it, so the group is unsure of how much more they'll actually need, Hansen says.
If the Horizon Animal Hospital is able to save Zorro, they hope to put him up for adoption in a few months.
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