When Aimee Shaw first saw the photos of Morena in November 2019, she didn’t know what color the dog’s fur or eyes were. That’s because the poor stray is almost completely hairless, with eyes clouded by the infection.
Shaw, president of Shaw Pit Bull Rescue, said the dog has been Found near Columbus of Mississippi Air Force Basis.
“We were pretty maxed out in terms of space, but when we saw the pictures, quickly booked and made an appointment with our vet.”
A dog in need
Morena’s skin is ruddy, thickened and covered in weeping sores. Luckily, she came to the right place. Shaw Pit Bull Rescue is dedicated to saving abused, neglected or abandoned American Pit Bull Terriers. At the time, Morena seemed to fit all three categories.
“Morena was only about six months old, covered with sores, scabs, bacterial and yeast infections, and her eyes were completely closed.”
Veterinarians diagnosed Morena with a severe case of demodectic manga. Demodex skin mites are common in homeless and abandoned dogs and can become quite serious if left untreated, as was the case with Morena.
Demodex is not transmitted to other people or dogs. Puppies usually get it from their mother during the first few days of life. With the pups’ poor immune systems, ticks can reproduce freely, causing hair loss and thickening of the skin, especially around the face, legs, and eyes. While Demodex doesn’t itch as terribly as some skin mites do, Morena has a secondary yeast infection that causes her to scratch at sores on her skin.
Shaw Pit Bull Rescue vets began treating Morena’s skin with medication, a special shampoo, and medicated water. They also started a series of eye drops to reduce swelling and infection. Despite his best efforts, Shaw feared that it wasn’t enough.
“We’re not sure if Morena can see it,” she said.
A beautiful restoration
Recovery from a nightmare is a long way off, but after months of loving care, Morena’s hair has begun to grow back, revealing a lovely brindle and white coat. Better still, her eyes opened and she regained her eyesight!
Morena was adopted in late August 2020, but sadly, her story isn’t over yet. She was picked up by animal control nearly two years later and returned to Shaw Pit Bull Rescue. Aimee Shaw chose not to focus on the details of how Morena was on the road again. She’d rather do her best to find this special dog a new home — this time.
“She’s a wonderful little girl!” Shaw said. “He gets along well with other dogs, he loves to run and play, and walk around the farm. She also enjoys gnawing on deer antlers and playing with ropes. She is very sweet and super smart. “
Click here to learn more about adoptions from Shaw Pit Bull Rescue.
