Survivor Shelter’s founder is Ms Ong and although she isn’t at her shelter every day, the shelter is run by a very responsible and caring caretaker. The caretaker will inform Ms Ong the moment any dog is ill.
So, about a week ago, WinWin fell ill. Ms Ong went in to the shelter to take WinWin to the vet.
Backstory: Ms Ong rescued WinWin 9 years ago. WinWin was a victim of a road accident and after surgery was performed to repair her leg, Ms Ong kept WinWin inside her house for two years. It was only after Ms Ong started her small shelter that WinWin was placed in it.
These photos and story below is what happened in the past one week or so, published with permission from Ms Ong and her friend, the dedicated fosterer of WinWin.
The vet diagnosed WinWin as being very weak and anaemic. According to Ms Ong, the vet said WinWin probably only had two more days to live (this was on 27th March 2023).
Ms Ong insisted that the vet did his best to treat WinWin. So the vet administered Darbepoetin for WinWin along with other medicines (two antibiotics, a steroid and a blood-enhancing medicine).
This was on 27th March 2023.
Ms Ong left WinWin under the dedicated care of her friend who agreed to foster WinWin.
Here are some of the text messages from the fosterer:
I gave Winwin 2 syringes of AD food and some pork soup. I came back from, found she vomit out the food. ? I have to give less each time. Last night one syringe after 2 to 3 hours she didn’t vomit.
Saw Winwin walk to go pee. I want to video for you but I too slow. She pee 2 times this morning. Medicine and blood supplement taken. Also syringe AD two doses. And syringe give water too. Now cooked pork. After cool will let her to eat.
This morning she didn’t get up to go pee. Wet her place.
I gave medicine and AD. I boiled the cow liver and put rice. She still won’t eat.
I try make porridge to pump into her mouth.
Every 2 hours I syringe feed.
Today she drink water herself.
WinWin started drinking water by herself yesterday!
She is eating too!
Ms Ong visited WinWin today and helped her to stand. But she is still not able to. Slowly…
She still cannot stand to urinate, but it is okay. Eating and drinking by herself is already very, very good!
Kudos to Ms Ong and her fosterer-friend for looking after WinWin when the vet had already said there was no hope. We want to highlight this because we have heard inside stories of certain shelters where sick animals are not treated and left to die.
This is why a shelter operator must only keep a certain number of animals which they can handle and by “handling”, we mean not just food and shelter but medical treatment as well.
Keep it small and manageable, please. The animals’ wellbeing and lives are in your hands the moment you take them into your shelter. It is your responsibility to look after them.
We wish WinWin the very best and may she recover soon. For now, may she feel comfortable and happy that she is loved.
Thank you, Ms Ong and her fosterer-friend.
Note: Survivor Shelter comes under our Sponsored Shelters and we will be sending a batch of food for April. Ms Ong always updates me on how much food is left and what the dogs need. She never asks for more.