Critically Ill Puppy Saved by MSPCA Docs

Nelson, an adorable Shar Pei-Pug mix, was bought online and shipped from Missouri to Massachusetts to his new home. The nine-week-old pup arrived so sick he needed emergency veterinary care to survive.

He was brought to MSPCA-Angell, who named him Nelson and treated the severely ill dog. Nelson is now on the mend, resting at the MSPCA’s Jamaica Plain adoption center, and will be up for adoption when he’s recovered.

The dog was brought to MSPCA by his former owner on Monday, Dec. 7, suffering from lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea. Nelson had been in Massachusetts for only a week, having endured the 20-hour trip from Missouri in a small cage to reach the state.

Angell surgeons discovered that Nelson’s intestines were entangled and they had to remove a large portion, re-positon and re-insert them into his tiny abdomen.

Alyssa Krieger, manager of the MSPCA’s animal care and adoption center, settled the puppy into the shelter after the owner surrendered him.

“Thankfully, Nelson arrived in our care just in time as he would have died without emergency surgery, which would have been doubly tragic given everything he’d already endured,” said Krieger in a statement.

Nelson will be placed in foster care for two weeks to continue recovering from surgery before he can be placed into a new home.

MSPCA issued a statement warning, “Puppy Buyers Beware:”

Nelson’s plight focuses a spotlight on the dangers of “online only” pet sales, in which buyers are not able to visit the breeder to inspect conditions or meet dogs before purchasing. “This was a classic puppy mill situation and it’s not surprising to us that Nelson was so sick-he was likely critically ill before he was even transported to Massachusetts,” said Krieger.

We encourage everyone to please adopt vs. buying a new pet-but at the very least buyers should be able to inspect a breeder’s property to see first-hand how the animals are raised and treated before buying,” Krieger added.

Nelson’s surgery and hospitalization cost nearly $4,000 and was paid for via the Alison Irving Fund, which was established in memory of a former MSPCA-Angell employee and enables the organization to treat thousands of animals every year before they are placed for adoption.

Readers interested in adopting can email adoption@mspca.org for more information.

Photo Credit: MSPCA