MSPCA-Angell Headquarters

350 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130
(617) 522-7400
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Angell Animal Medical Centers – Boston

350 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130
(617) 522-7282
angellquestions@angell.org
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293 Second Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451
(781) 902-8400
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(978) 304-4648
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Animal Care and Adoption Centers – Boston

350 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130
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1577 Falmouth Road, Centerville, MA 02632
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400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844
(978) 687-7453
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347 Highland Ave., Salem, MA 01970
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15
Mar

Desperate Puppy Struck with “Worst Ever” Case of Mange Seeks Loving Home

MSPCA-Angell Determined to See “Sheba” through Health Crisis and Find her a Deserving Home

BOSTON, March 15, 2017– Officials at the MSPCA-Angell in Boston have called the skin disease plaguing a homeless puppy the worst they have ever seen and are determined to do everything possible to cure the four-month -old canine before placing her into a loving home, the organization announced today.

Fortunately, the four-month-old bulldog-mix is benefitting from a revolutionary treatment administered by Dr. Klaus Loft of the dermatology service at the MSPCA’s Angell Animal Medical Center—a treatment that is harnessing the power of her own immune system to heal her disease.

Found on the Street
Sheba was found outside in the Boston neighborhood of Dorchester on Feb. 22 and transferred to the MSPCA after a veterinarian at Boston’s Animal Care and Control facility performed an initial assessment.

Andrea Bessler, a veterinary technician in the clinic that abuts the adoption center, was shocked at her appearance.  “In my nearly 11 years of practice I’ve never seen a case of mange this severe—she literally had no fur and was covered in oozing, open wounds,” she said.

Sheba is suffering from Demodectic Mange, an infection caused by tiny, cigar-shaped egg-laying mites.  The mites reside and feed on the hair follicles and oil glands of the skin causing hair loss, severe pain and itching and—when left untreated—open, infected wounds.  The disease is not contagious and no other animals at the adoption center are at risk.

Breakthrough Medical Treatment

Dr. Loft has been treating Sheba for several weeks with a medication called Cytopoint, which he describes as the “holy grail” for the treatment of severe skin infections.  “Essentially, the drug creates an artificial antibody that turns off the intense ‘itch signal,’ preventing Sheba from further injuring herself through constant scratching.”

Sheba is also receiving antibiotics, medicated baths and pain medicine and, according to Bessler, is beginning to turn the corner.  “The worst of her disease is behind her but she will likely require treatment for the next several weeks.”

Unknown Backstory
Sheba is not microchipped and had no identification tags when she was rescued.  Adoption center staff speculate that she may have been abandoned.  “It’s possible that she was born in a home—or bought somewhere—and then abandoned when her condition worsened,” said adoption center manager Alyssa Krieger.  “We’ll likely never know for sure, but we do know is that her future is much brighter than her past.”

Sheba is expected to be available for adoption in several weeks.  Interested adopters can email adoption@mspca.org for more info.

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The MSPCA-Angell is a national and international leader in animal protection and veterinary medicine and provides direct hands-on care for thousands of animals each year. Founded in 1868, it is the second-oldest humane society in the United States. Services include animal protection and adoption, advocacy, humane education, law enforcement, and world-class veterinary care. The MSPCA-Angell is a private, non-profit organization. It does not receive any government funding nor is it funded or operated by any national humane organization. The MSPCA-Angell relies solely on the support and contributions of individuals who care about animals. Please visit www.mspca.org.