It had been on Thursday, November 6 when NYC Second Chance Rescue received a desperate call from a municipal shelter about a dog found lying on the side of the road. The young pup, named Marianne was in critical condition; she was nothing more than skin over her skeleton and had been missing half of her leg.
There was little doubt the dog had been in excruciating pain, and the shelter veterinarian believed she suffered from tetanus, a life-threatening bacterial infection that attacks the nervous system. The expression on her face, reflecting a grimace, is a telltale sign of a tetanus infection. She was dangerously anemic, and her gums were pale.
Most of us can remember stepping on a nail as a kid and being rushed to the doctor for a tetanus vaccination. Even on humans, (lock jaw) the infections can cause severe muscle rigidity, difficulty breathing and intense pain. Without treatment the prognosis is often fatal.
The local shelter was not able to provide the lifesaving care Marianne needed, and NYC Second Chance Rescue stepped up to help. Because of the support from animal advocates, the rescue pulled the dog from the municipal shelter and rushed her to a 24-hour critical care hospital.
When she arrived, her condition was even worse than anticipated. The wound on her leg was devastating, and her tetanus had progressed to the point that it has begun affecting her facial muscles, causing the painful, rigid expression.
Marianne was immediately sedated so doctors could clean her leg and apply a protective bandage. She remains hospitalized, and an orthopedic surgeon will be evaluating her soon. She will, without a doubt, need her leg amputated.
Doctors have begun aggressive treatment for tetanus, but recovery is long and uncertain. She will likely require 7–8 weeks of intensive hospitalization and therapy. Veterinarians are also exploring the possibility of obtaining anti-tetanus antitoxin to aid in her recovery, though it is not commonly available.
Despite everything, this little girl is still fighting.
Because of you, Marianne is no longer alone, suffering in silence. She is surrounded by care, compassion, and every medical resource available to save her life.
Without all the help, Marianne would not have survived. Every life counts. Many thanks to everyone who has shared her story and donated.
To donate:
PayPal: [email protected]
Zelle: [email protected]
Venmo: @NYC-SCR (Under Charities not People)
***Beware of imposter accounts on Venmo that vary slightly in name. **
Updates to follow.
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