Manuela Ela Schafer from Ela’s K9 Solutions and Rescue in Lexington, South Carolina, saw a Facebook post of a badly injured dog with little to no fur, his face torn open as if the skin was peeling off, and his eyes closed shut with pus coming out them. The animal rescuer knew she had to do something to help and thanks to her intervention, the dog dubbed “Steve Wonders” is on his road to recovery.
“[Stevie] was found on someone’s porch, and the people that found him were going to give him to someone private until I explained [to them that] he needed immediate care,” said Schafer.
The dog was originally going to be picked up by animal control, but in the end this didn’t happen and the homeowners agreed to let Ela’s K9 Solutions and Rescue help Stevie. The emaciated pet was rushed to Paws and Claws Animal Clinic, where veterinarians determined he was about 18 months old.
Stevie tested positive for heartworm, and suffers from demodex mange, yeast, and other secondary infections. He was immediately placed on a special diet, and given antibiotics and medicine to help with the infection around his eyes. Â However, because there are chunks of his skin missing, vets cannot start a Mitaban mange treatment for him yet.
“His eyes are in horrific shape. The infection is bad,” said Schafer. “We hope he will be able to see.”
It has only been two days since the dog was rescued and seen by a vet, but he already looks a lot better. Schafer hopes to find him a foster home in the Lexington, Columbia and Irmo area. Once he is well-enough to leave the clinic, he can move into a loving environment and heal.
Stevie will need to be neutered and get all his shots, but for now he is taking it one day at a time and enjoying the love and medical attention he is receiving. He is a sweet boy and all he wants to do is love and be loved.
If you’re interested in helping Stevie with his medical costs, contact Paws and Claws Animal Clinic at (803)407-9691. If you want to foster Stevie, contact Schafer at [email protected], on her site on Facebook.
