In September 2019, a lady at the market in Bang Saphan, a small, coastal city in Central Thailand, contacted our outreach coordinator at Headrock Dogs Rescue, reporting a dog she had seen in terrible condition. 

It was not easy for the team to catch the poor dog, he was in so much pain and given that he had been attacked by other dogs, he was very frighted. He had deep bite wounds up and down his legs. We were simply shocked at the condition of the dog.  It was obvious that he had been like this for many weeks. He suffered from severe mange and secondary skin infection.  His feet, legs, and face were horribly swollen. He was in immense pain. Someone must have tried to treat him at some point, given the purple spray which is often used as a treatment for skin issues in Thailand, but obviously this didn't work.

Whitey is now recovering at the rescue center where he is getting the treatment he so desperately needs. We are confident that with love, care, and time, he will make a full recovery and become a happy, beautiful young dog. 

This rescue is part of our Saving Thailand’s Forgotten Dogs Program.

Whitey initially needed emergency care of fluids and pain medication. We started the treatment with a medicated bath twice a weekly to soothe his skin and get rid of the crusting, gave him antibiotics, and medication for mange mites. His deep bite wounds also required daily flushing.

Update 12. October 2019

We are happy that Whitey is doing so much better. He is still on intensive care for his skin: daily antibiotics, weekly medicated baths, and other medication to treat a potential mite infection. His skin is a lot less inflamed, decreased crusting, and he is definitely more comfortable. The bite wounds on the back of his legs are healing, and he has a lot of energy, running and playing (which makes getting photos of him quick difficult).  

Despite the progress made, we suspect that he will require long term care as his skin disease, which is probably the result of severe allergies (atopic dermatitis).  So his recovery will be prolonged, and he might always have some degree of hairless. He also still needs to be neutered.

Update 12. February 2020

Whitey made a remarkable recovery and is a happy, healthy dog. We still need to get him neutered, but we want to make sure he is strong enough for surgery. But now that he is gaining strength day by day, he will have a surgery soon.

We are touched, that Whitey will spend the rest of his days living with the Thai lady, Khun Pa, who originally found him. She just couldn't forget about the poor helpless dog she saw on the streets, and asked to adopt him when he was strong enough. Now, Whitey spends his days with her, enjoying long walks through the coconut trees to the beach with his other dog companions. She even built him an own little house with a fan and light. 

We are so happy that Whitey got his second chance at life.

Update March 2021

Thanks to the cooperative project between FOUR PAWS and Headrock dogs, the lives of the people and animals in these communities have drastically improved. As a result of our training and support, Headrock is now confidently continuing their efforts to provide high quality spay neuter services, lifesaving emergency response and community education and outreach year round.

As the cooperation with FOUR PAWS has drawn to a close, we are happy and proud to have lent our support and expertise to this committed and hardworking group and feel certain that the future is bright for Bang Saphan's dogs.