Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Friday, December 23, 2011
(LOOGOOTEE) - The Martin County Humane Society and the Daviess County Friends for Animals are hoping for a Christmas miracle.
A bull mastiff named Roscoe was recently rescued in Daviess County, on the back side of West Boggs, very close to the Martin County line. Daviess County was unable to go pick up the abandoned dog, so Don Greene, President of the Martin County Humane Society, stepped in and went to find him.
Roscoe, not quite 3 years old, was found 50 pounds under weight and suffering from heartworms. Without the proper medication, he won't survive.
According to Greene, Roscoe weighs around 130 pounds but should be closer to 200. He also suffers from a large sore on one of his paws that is now being treated.
It will cost $650 - for the medicine alone to treat the gentle giant.
According to the American Heartworm Society website, dogs are considered the definitive host for heartworms.
When a mosquito carrying infective heartworm larvae bites a dog and transmits the infection, the larvae grow, develop and migrate in the body over a period of several months to become sexually mature male and female worms. These reside in the heart, lungs and associated blood vessels.
As mature adults, the worms mate and the females release their offspring into the blood stream. The number of worms infecting a dog can be very high, with the number ranging from one to about 250.
Most dogs infected with heartworms can be successfully treated. Heartworm-infected dogs showing no signs or mild signs, such as Roscoe, have a high success rate with treatment.
Together, the Martin County Humane Society and the Daviess County Friends for Animals are hoping to raise enough donations to save Roscoe's life.
If you would like to help with the cost to save Roscoe, send donations to the Martin County Humane Society, PO Box 537, Shoals IN 47581.
Visit the Martin County Humane Society or Daviess County Friends for Animals' Facebook pages for updates on the progress. For more information, contact Greene at 296-0952.
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