The Lazarus Rescue

Yeah, I too thought he had acid thrown on him or was being eaten by other dogs, but no, it’s all skin disease. Not just one, a few different diseases. Like Stray Dog said, if he didn’t want to live, he could have died a long time ago.

Look in his eyes. He’s all but given up. But he has hope. He’s a fighter. Everyone that passed him on the street would have thought he’d be dead but he keeps going. He can do it, he knows he can. If just given a second chance at life, he will get better. And I’m so glad Sean has given him that chance.

Currently the doctor is giving him injections. He hasn’t been biting and scratching at all today, but when he was brought in, that’s all he did. The treatments must be working, he was very peaceful the whole time I was there. I touched his leg (the furless fleshy part in the pics) and he flinched. It must hurt! :blush: His nose was very dry, he didn’t lick my hand, but he sure could eat a lot! I touched his fur and all I could feel were hard, crusty, matted, dead skin. :frowning:

Thanks for the support, guys!

Thanks for going up there and taking the pics, 914. :bravo:

And thanks for all the support I’m being offered via PM and e-mail. It restores my faith in mankind - really.

Dragonbones, perhaps you misread my thread: I was comparing Lazarus to my dog, Fox, who had acid thrown over her but had a strong will to live. But, yes, the injuries she has are horrendous. Poor Eric had to carry him, and he ended up withhalf of the dog on his clothes.

It looks like we have a go from the vet to make an attempt at this, so I’ll go and find out the expected costs on Saturday, and I’ll contact all those who’ve promised assistance. It really is a most rewarding way to spend your money - really, whatever you’re happy and comfortable with giving will be much appreciated and put to great use. I think we can get smerf to oversee all the financial bits (Oops - I just volunteered you, smerf!)

Fingers crossed, he will be in relatively good health a month or two from now, and we’ll be looking for someone to adopt him. Akitas need very understanding homes, and, if need be, I’ll ship heim off to the U.S. But let’s cross that bridge if and when we come to it.

Thanks again everyone that has contacted me. :bravo: :bravo: :bravo: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: I’ll be in touch.

Sean

Good to hear it wasn’t an acid attack, sorry for the confusion. Sean, is it? I’m surprised by how few members have any real info on themselves in their profile. I’d’a thunk legit, upstanding members of the community at Forumosa would let folks know a little more about themselves (y’all know who we’re NOT talking about, right?). I swear, if I saw some ahole throw acid on a dog, I’d kill him with my bare hands and happily spend time in prison. I mean it, no joke.

Anyway, it’s quite heartening to see folks here caring and making a difference, whether it’s in improving ambulance services (thanks Hope!), or volunteering as a cultural guide at various museums (you know who you are, so many of you), or helping with the environent or animal care, etc. Thanks to all!!!

Keep us posted on Lazarus’s progress. I’m holding my breath, swear t’Gawd. Guess I’m a softy. Wouldn’t make 914’s “real man” list. :wink:

So glad to hear that Lazarus is getting better.
My heart just sank when I saw his picture.
Well…
One less thing to worry about now that he’s undergoing treatment from these wonderful vets.
He’s very fortunate and I hope he’ll pull through and find a loving home.
Please keep us updated!!! :slight_smile:

Stray dog, I nominate you for bodhisattva in your next reincarnation.
:notworthy:

As long as it pays better than what I’m on now, with weekends off!

Thanks, but I’m just the more obvious one of a group: Bu Lai En, 914, Eric, and smerf (with others helping on the perife … periphr … edge. :wink:

Webster, thanks; we’ll keep everyone updated. Going to see Lazarus tomorrow.

My friend asked me not to read this thread because he knew I would be sad after reading it… I read it now, and I’m sad. Poor Lazarus.

Stray Dog and all of you guys helping the poor fella, thank you so much for helping. I would really love to help out however I really can’t at the moment. When my financial situation gets better, I’ll let you know, Stray Dog. I’m really sorry that I cannot help. :frowning: :blush: Sorry.

I must say that Lazarus would have been a really good looking dog. Even now his face is really handsome. I hope he gets better soon. With all my love.

Do keep us updated, please.

Eric and I went to see Lazarus today.

The vet lest him sleep on the floor, so at least he’s not couped up in a cage. He’s not wlaking or even standing now, though, which is strange, because he was walking when I found him. May just be because he doesn’t have to.

The vet says that Lazarus will need to stay with him for at least a month if he is to have any chance at regaining his health. The vet (Dr. Yang t YangMing Vet Hospital) is giving us a heavily discounted price. We’re paying about NT$2,000 per week for all treatment and boarding, which is very cheap (most vets charge NT$500 per day just to keep the dog in a cage).

I took some food up for Lazarus, a blend of vegetables, garlic, natural yoghurt, and various other supplements. The Akita Rescue Society of America (ARSA) lists everything Lazarus will need to recover. I have written to them, sending 914’s pics, and asked if they can offer any more advice. I’m hoping to order all the supplements I can to help Lazarus restore his immune system and win his battle with his skin disease (Demodex - a kind of mange caused by mites).

I’ll be taking him a fresh blend three times a week, and the vet seems to to agree that it’s a good idea. I would also like to take up some meat, to help him rebuild his wasted muscle, and some chicken essence, which acts as a general pick-me-up.

Despite his awful condition, Lazarus seems to be taking all this in his stride. Although a little sad, he is certainly not depressed. He makes an effort to keep himself looking clean. I gave him a good neck and head rub today, which he really seemed to enjoy.

We don’t know what the exact costs will be, as we are just taking things day by day. I’ll be writing to those of you who’ve contacted me to see who would like to contribute what - again, whatever you are happy and comfortable with giving. I’ll do that tonight. The supplements may be expensive, but according to ARSA, they are essential to recovery. I’m writing to B-Naturals.com to see if they can help us out.

If anyone needs any more info, please let me know. Thanks again for all the mesages of support and offers of assistance. It’s really great to see. :bravo: :notworthy:

Must dash. If I’ve forgotten anything I’ll be posting again later.

Keep your fingers crossed for Lazarus.

Cheers!

Sean :wink:

Wow…it’s gonna be expensive BUT foreigners make good money in Taiwan. If we save a little here and there, we can definately save enough money to help out Lazarus.

My dog (Pomeranian) is 11 years old and he’s staying with my parents in Vancouver. He’s got some kind of blood-clotting illness so the vet gave him a blood transfusion and will need on-going treatment. Anyways, my point is…pets are like our friends and family members. We need to do our best to help those who can’t help themselves.

My fiance and I will try our best to help out with the vet bill.
:slight_smile:

p.s. I have some friends coming over to visit from Canada. If you need some help carry some medications or vitamins over…let me know and see if I can arrange something.

I’m going up to see Lazarus again tomorrow, and I’ll let you know how he is doing.

A couple of us will be at the happy hour on Thursday, so if you want to help finance Lazarus’s recovery, you can make a donation then.

For those that have contacted me directly, I have PM’ed you back with alternatives.

Thanks again, everybody. Lazarus has a fighting chance now, and we very much appreciate your help in making that possible.

I’ll keep you updated.

Cheers!

Sean

Does anybody know if there is an SPCA in Taiwan or not. Cruelty or lack of compassion to living things is quite common here and especially hypocritical in a country where many peoples beliefs include compassion for all creatures.

The big guy’s looking better today! :slight_smile: It looked like he got a bath because his fur is fluffier but Dr Yang said he removed some dead skin, so it looks cleaner. It made a huge difference.

I snuck up on Lazarus tonight and he was actually licking himself. Good sign. On Thursday he wasn’t moving at all. His wounds in those photos I took looked “wet” but today he was very “dry” looking. The rotting skin have turned black and look like scabs, so hopefully they’re healing. There are very little open wounds and he doesn’t smell as much.

I forgot my camera today, so no pix. But he looks much better than those photos from last time! :sunglasses:

and this web site: [url=http://www.animalstaiwan.org./]Animals TaiwanSee this thread: .

Keith,

Taiwan has a total of six SPCA officers, I believe, and they were trained by UK’s RSPCA. But we are yet to see or hear of any cases of criminal action being taken against those that do not adhere to the Animal Protection Law.

I am still trying to find out how to get hold of the SPCA in Taiwan, as we would like some of their officers to join us as we expose flagrant violations of the APL.

You could try contacting either of these organisations:

Life Conservationist Association
3F No. 90
Nan King E. Rd. Sec. 5
P.O. Box 112-565
Taipei
Taiwan
Tel.: (00 886) 22 7534922

or

Environment & Animal Society Taiwan (EAST)
No 137, Lane 304, Sec 3
Hsin Lung Road
Wen Shan Dist
Taipei 116
Taiwan
Contact: Wu Hung
Telephone: 00 886 222 398 105/6
Fax: 00 886 222 397 634
Email: eastmail@ms38.hinet.net

Please let me know how you get on. And be sure to check out our website: http://www.animalstaiwan.org

Cheers!

Sean

Well, that’s more than most of us can do.
:wink:
Good to hear.

Thanks for thr update, 914.

You mentioned to me that he also had mucus in his eyes, which, unless I’m mistaken, means that his immune system is kicking back in, right? I hope so.

It’ll be one week tomorrow since we picked him up. Interesting to see tomorrow the improvements. He’s still a poor wretched mess, but a little less so, I guess.

BTW, thank you very much for the amounts we’ve already received. We couldn’t do this without you. I have to say, I am touched by everyone’s kindness. :notworthy: :bravo:

More updates late tomorrow.

Cheers, all.

Sean

Hi Sean

Hope you are doing well.

Let me know how I can be of help to Lazarus. I live very close to Yang Ming Vet Hospital so I am planning to pay Lazarus a visit tomorrow. Hope that is ok.

Natasha

Of course it’s OK. Be prepared, though; it’s not pretty … and a little bit stinky. But Laz likes company. Just talk to him. There’s a patch on the back of his head which seems OK to scratch, but you might find some more. :s

I scratched his chin today, and he put his paw up into my hand. Don’t know if he was saying “Friend!” or “Get the f%$# off my face!”

It was a touching moment, anyway. If you take him any treats, think “healthy”! I gave him some supplements yesterday.

Let us know how he’s doing.

Thanks, Natasha. :bravo:

keep up the good work…

off thread but…

i’d never had a dog before in my life until i nearly ran over a black spot, hardly able to walk, manged up with closed eyes, about 4 weeks old, in the road…this black spot which i took home is now a 4.5 year old black labrador ( i’m sure he must be a cross but the vets don’t think so ) , what a find…and before anybody flames me…i looked around and enquired for 4 weeks after finding him if anybody had a black dog and pups within the neighbourhood. :sunglasses:

Am so happy that Laz is doing better… :bouncy: What a shame I live in Taichung and cannot pay the little guy a little visit… Pics Please! Pics pics pics!