On the day Scarlet tried to follow us to our Spanish conversation class, she was underweight, with goopy eyes and a burning hot tummy. Her ribs and her hip bones stuck out. Her front legs were badly formed, and she had both red paint and tar in her coat. I put her inside our house, in a dog crate, and went to class. When I returned, I discovered that she hadn't eaten any of the treats I'd left in the crate with her. I called a local (Comala based) organization that is meant to help with abandoned dogs. They told me that they couldn't take her, but took my information, in case someone came their way looking for a puppy. The next step was some medical attention. Our veterinarian, Doctora Rosa María Reyes Martínez at Can & Cat Veterinaria in Colima, confirmed that Scarlet had a high fever and respiratory infection. For a nominal charge, she administered an antibiotic injection, and another injection for worms, and provided Scarlet with a collar and lead. We were told to return the next day for more antibiotics.
Later that day, Scarlet began to eat. When we returned to the veterinarian the next day, we discovered that her temperature was normal. By day four of her treatment, Scarlet was eating three meals and two snacks a day and her eyes were clean and bright:
However, she was still a filthy little puppy. Day five was bath day:
Scarlet takes underarm hygiene very seriously.
The red paint turned out to be water-based, and it came right off of her. The tar is another matter. In some places, there's enough space between it and her skin that we'll be able to clip it off her. In a few others, it's stuck right to her skin. It seems to be starting to peel away at the edges, however, with healthy looking skin underneath, so it looks like patience is the best route to go with it.
The clean faced pup gives herself a good shake:
Today (05 September 2005) Scarlet was vaccinated (DHPP and Rabies) and she is now ready to start her search for a new, permanent home.
All of Scarlet's veterinary needs have been kindly supplied at a nominal charge by Can & Cat Veterinaria.
Update:
On 17 September 2005, Scarlet found a permanent home. Both she and her adoptive family are very happy!