PA: Precious slowly recovering at Delco SPCA

Precious slowly recovering at Delco SPCA

Published: Friday, June 22, 2012 By VINCE SULLIVAN



MEDIA — Precious, a 3-year old pit bull terrier mix rescued from a squalid Chester basement last week, has been showing signs of improvement, but still has a long recovery ahead of her.

Workers called to repair a broken water heater in the 2600 block of West 6th Street discovered the dog in the filthy, feces-filled basement. Precious was infested with fleas and was visibly malnourished, with her ribs showing through her skin. The owner of the dog, Elvin Seals, has been cited for failure to provide sustenance and failure to provide veterinary care, according to Justina Calgiano of the Delco SPCA. Seals voluntarily relinquished ownership of the dog to the SPCA.

After receiving emergency care at a veterinary clinic, Precious was taken to the SPCA in Upper Providence. She is receiving critical care around the clock.

“She’s doing pretty steady,” Calgiano said Friday. “It’s still a day-to-day thing.”

Precious received a bath Thursday, her first since being picked up last week. Her body temperature was too low to risk washing until then. Her fur was caked in dried blood from a severe flea infestation, and her blood levels were dangerously low.

“The fleas just sucked her blood for goodness knows how long,” Calgiano said. “Her blood levels are rebounding.”

Weighing in at 19 pounds when she was found, her healthy weight should be around 45 pounds. She has put on about four pounds since being rescued, but is still in a precarious position. She is on an intravenous diet that is full of vitamins. She also is being fed dry and wet dog food every few hours. She is getting as much water as she wants, but it has to be squirted into her mouth with a syringe.

“She’s not walking on her own,” Calgiano said. “She is showing some strength and can hold her head up for a few seconds … She’s not able to lap water out of a bowl.”

The degree of her malnutrition, which Calgiano said could have been going on for months, has left Precious bedridden. She must be flipped every couple of hours to prevent bedsores from forming.

The good news is that her internal organs seem to be working fine. There were no outward signs of active abuse, like open wounds or marks, just the dramatic underfeeding. Shortly after being rescued, Precious passed a plastic bag through her bowels, a certain indication of long-term neglect.

“A week ago she had no chance for survival,” Calgiano said. “She was just eating whatever she could find to survive.”

Precious is not the first case of canine mistreatment for Seals, according to several witnesses interviewed by SPCA humane officers. They say that another dog, Precious’ mother Angel, died in the same basement about three years ago. No other animals were found in the home.

While her condition has stabilized considerably over the past few days, any change could require extensive, and costly, treatment. Precious’ condition is much worse than that of Curious George, another pit bull mix rescued from the streets of Lower Chichester last year. He has since been rehabilitated and adopted into a forever home.

Having already been treated for the severe anemia brought on by an infestation of fleas and a bilateral ear infection, her blood levels are good. But that could change rapidly, possibly necessitating a blood transfusion. Since her rescue was announced, concerned citizens have begun contributing to her care.

“There have been some generous people that have donated,” Calgiano said. “People do definitely connect to her story.”

Calgiano said that her recovery is still in its beginning stages, but that it will likely take several months to get her into shape for adoption. It depends on how speedy her recovery is, as well as any socialization training that may be needed.

Right now, it’s all up to Precious, and Calgiano has high hopes for a full recovery.

“She’s in good spirits,” she said.

Precious slowly recovering at Delco SPCA - Media Town Talk - Delco News Network