RSPCA’s urgent public call-out to reunite separated puppies from extremely emaciated stray mum
The RSPCA is calling for help to find a litter of puppies who have been separated from their emaciated and heavily lactating mother, with fears they won’t survive without her.
The RSPCA has put out an urgent call out for public help to locate a litter of puppies separated from an emaciated stray dog.
The dog, a boxer cross, is about two years old and was brought into RSPCA SA care by the Animal Welfare League on Friday after being picked up as a stray near the Elizabeth Shopping Centre on Elizabeth Way.
The dog weighed only 16.2 kilograms and has a body condition score of 1/9 – an indication of extreme emaciation.
Dr Gayle Kothari, RSPCA SA’s chief veterinarian, said the fact the dog is still lactation despite her shocking condition suggests the puppies are not yet weaned.
“If they are still alive, they are at extreme risk if not reunited with their mother soon,” Dr Kothari said.
Chief inspector for the RSPCA SA Andrea Lewis told ABC Radio that the dog is in extremely poor condition.
“She’s heavily lactating so we believe that she has a litter of puppies somewhere that will probably be needing her,” she said.
“We don’t know how old they are or how many there could be, but we believe that this dog was still lactating when she went missing.”
Ms Lewis said if the puppies were solely reliant on the dog, they would only last a day or so. If the puppies are older, they may be able to eat and drink a little on their own.
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Ms Lewis said the RSPCA SA believes the dog is from the Elizabeth area and the puppies are likely to be around there.
“Sadly we see dogs like this frequently, the dog is currently in the care of our fabulous team at our shelter, and she’s doing OK. She’d be doing better if she could be reunited with her puppies.”
Anyone with information on the dog or puppies is urged to call the RSPCA on 1300 4 777 22.
Originally published as RSPCA’s urgent public call-out to reunite separated puppies from extremely emaciated stray mum
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