Deadly Leishmaniasis Again

A man asked me if I knew someone who would like to adopt a Rottweiler that he and his wife had found standing in a big trash pile, eating garbage. They took her to an Italian veterinarian who did some examinations for 110 Euro, and now the couple was keeping the dog on their balcony (apartment) until they can find a home for her. He told me she was so sweet and he would keep her but they already had a big Rottweiler and with them living in an apartment it wouldn't work out very well.

She didn't have a collar, no microchip and she was very, very skinny! Could I help?



I asked if they got any medicine because I knew she would be full of worms? And did they draw blood to see if she was infected, maybe by the terrible virus Leishmania?



Nothing!



I gave him the phone number and address to Lega Pro Animale and told him that it would cost him less to go there and they would do a very thourough examination, but they would not be able to leave the dog there indefinetely. If we couldn't find a home the female dog would get de-wormed, vaccinated, spayed ... but put back were she was found.



I know it can sound hard but what would the other options be? Put her down?! Return her to the streets untreated and un-spayed?! That doesn't solve any problem, there are thousands strays roaming around having puppies who have puppies... ad nauseum.



This man went out there (to Lega Pro Animale) with the Rottweiler and had her checked with a blood test, and bittersweet result... yes the dog had Leishamaniasis and had to be put down.



This man didn't use our account Animals without Limits--I had told AWL could pay half--he paid the whole bill out of his own pocket.

Hopefully, his largess and big heart doesn't come back to bite him further... he introduced this dog into his apartment with his other dog, who could now be at risk as well from the Leishmaniasis disease. Even with a big heart (and available money) to help the animals... we still have to be careful!

This man has a big helping Amore heart! Thank you!