One day, volunteers at Barrow County Animal Control met a newborn pup who seemed to be the runt of his litter.
Because he had an open fontanelle, his mother continually pushed him away. His owners, realizing he needed more help than they could provide, surrendered him to the shelter so he might have a chance at survival.
When he arrived, his condition was critical. He was extremely malnourished and dehydrated, and the team worried he may have suffered a seizure on the way. They knew they had to act quickly if they wanted to give him any hope.
Fighting For His Life
The medical staff immediately gave the little one the treatments he needed and placed him in a warm, comfortable bed to rest.
But his struggles continued. In the days that followed, he couldn’t keep food down, suffered frequent seizures, and had trouble breathing.
They decided to move him into an oxygen chamber in hopes of stabilizing him. The staff named him Stewie and never left his side, watching over him day and night.
At last, there was a small breakthrough. Stewie managed to keep his formula down, and the team carefully fed him every two hours so his body could stay nourished without being overwhelmed.
After running multiple tests, they finally found the cause of his decline: Stewie had a severe roundworm infection.
It was a tough diagnosis, but at least they now knew what they were fighting.
A Fragile Recovery
The veterinarians began deworming treatments immediately, determined to give Stewie a chance. Parasites were flushed from his system, and little by little, he showed tiny signs of improvement.
Still, his condition was far from stable. Seizures continued, and his breathing often became shallow and difficult. The team never stopped trying, offering him both medical support and constant affection.
After six long days, his health remained uncertain. At one point, Stewie stopped breathing entirely. A quick-thinking vet managed to revive him, bringing a flicker of hope.
Sadly, that hope was short-lived. He continued to vomit and have seizures, and soon after, he stopped breathing again. This time, despite their desperate efforts, they could not bring him back.
The staff at Barrow County Shelter were heartbroken. What gave them comfort was knowing Stewie left this world surrounded by people who cared deeply for him.
His short journey serves as a reminder of the tireless dedication of rescuers and veterinarians who fight for animals even when the odds are stacked against them. Stewie may not have survived, but he was loved every moment of his life.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to the people who gave this little soul a chance, showing the true meaning of compassion.