Animal Care Association

The Gambia - West Africa

Regee's Story

On 12th June 2010 a member of the Committee was approached near her home by a young man who said he had found a dog and it was dying. He had the dog with him and it looked very very thin and had no energy. She called the veterinary surgeon who said to bring the dog in to be looked at.

On arrival at the veterinary surgeon he weighed the dog and it was only 14.3 kg in weight. The young man said that he had no job but been giving the dog the “left overs” from his food but it failed to put any weight on and was in fact getting thinner and weaker. On examination it was discovered that the dog, which had then been named “Regee” had a gross flea, tick, lice and mango worm infestation. He was sprayed with a specific spray for these types of parasites and then taken outside as he was “alive” with these "visitors" which were jumping off him onto the floor of the surgery. They did not like the spray! He was also given an injection for the mango worms. There was some doubt, at this stage whether or not the dog would pull through as he was so emaciated. The committee member agreed to help the young man by agreeing that she would provide proper dog food for Regee on an on going basis or until he could find work and feed him more substantially himself.

On 14th June when he was seen for his check up he was still full of mango worms, but the other parasites were either dead or dying. The good news was that Regee had gained 2 kg in weight. Without too much persuasion the young man agreed to have Regee castrated and this was done on 16th June and again he was treated for mango worms. He was last seen by the vet on 7th July where he was 17.5 kg in weight but still retained some mango worms for which he was treated again.

He is now a lively, happy and extremely friendly dog and looks wonderful. His scars from the mango worms appear to be healing very well. This is all due to good veterinary care, good food and a young Gambian man who is willing to look after him. The latest photographs show him on 1st August 2010 - and he still loves his food.

Registered charitable company, registration number 59/2009

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