This neglected puppy didn’t get to experience the mouthwatering smell of turkey and cosy cuddles on the sofa last Christmas. Instead, he was dumped in the blistering cold with no fur due to a skin condition. Rescued and nursed back to health by Bristol Animal Rescue Centre, this pooch is now thriving in a loving home.
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Dumped in the cold
Bruno arrived at Bristol Animal Rescue Centre last December. The 10-months-old English bulldog had been dumped in the cold just before Christmas. He was very ‘grouchy and in pain’ due to a serious infestation of Demodex mites, also known as mange. The condition made the pooch's skin itchy and inflamed. It also meant Bruno had no fur left to keep him warm.
Demodex mange is the most common form of mange in dogs and occurs primarily in dogs less than 12 – 18 months of age. Adult dogs that have the disease usually have weakened immune systems. When left untreated, it can lead to secondary infections, which can be very dangerous for dogs, BristolLive writes.
Bruno arrived here as a stray puppy, having been found all alone. As soon as he arrived, we knew something wasn’t right with this 10-month-old English bulldog. He was very uncomfortable. He had a serious infestation of demodex mites (also known as mange), which had caused him to lose his fur and have very itchy, inflamed skin. Bruno was given regular medicated baths to soothe his skin condition, and our team worked hard to care for him and gain his trust. He’s now a happy, playful dog who has been rehomed and is very much loved – and it’s thanks to our supporters that we are able to give dogs like Bruno a second chance at a happy life. To help us care for more dogs like Bruno, please consider sponsoring a dog kennel: https://www.bristolarc.org.uk/get-involved/regular-giving/sponsor/sponsor-a-dog-kennel/ #adoptdontshop 📹 by Zita Polgar
Posted by Bristol Animal Rescue Centre on Wednesday, October 5, 2022
A road to recovery
According to Jodie Hayward, Animal Home Manager at Bristol Animal Rescue Centre, Bruno’s health was in a ‘dire’ state.
The shelter’s team gave him regular medicated baths to soothe his skin and worked hard to earn his trust. Thankfully, their efforts paid off.
Hayward said:
The transformation we saw in Bruno once his skin started to improve was amazing. He became much more playful and cuddly, it was like a weight had been lifted from him, and he was finally able to be the cheerful dog he was meant to be.
A loving home at last
After three months of treatment, the resilient puppy was ready to be rehomed. A perfect family stepped up to offer him forever love. They have previously adopted a bulldog, Dorothy, with the Bristol-based charity, and were happy to take on another furry kid.
The family live on a small holding farm, and Bruno is happy to enjoy outdoor fun in the company of his adopted sister.
According to Bristol Animal Rescue Centre, he’s now ‘a playful dog who is very much loved’.
To adopt a pet, learn more about Bristol Animal Rescue Centre (ARC), and help more animals like Bruno get a second chance at a happy life, visit the charity’s website.
Sources used:
- BBC News Bristol: 'Bristol stray puppy nursed back to health and re-homed'
- Bristol Live: 'Abandoned puppy left out in the cold before Christmas finds forever home'
Read more:
⋙ This poor puppy who was dumped in a rubbish bin will need its leg removed
⋙ Owner neglected this puppy to the point where the vets had to take a heartbreaking decision
⋙ These six-days-old puppies had to leave their mama dog to survive
