Hello everyone!

My name is Angie, I have come into the care of a Great Dane who is now called Big John. This is Big John's Story:

Big John was sighted as early as November 27th, 2023, in The Mountains Edge Community of Las Vegas Nevada. He had been sighted multiple times running around Cactus Avenue, between the cross streets Buffalo and Rainbow. There were multiple attempts to catch him, but they were unsuccessful.

On Dec. 1st, 2023, around 5:15PM, I saw a post on a Mountain's Edge community Facebook page, someone sighted Big John running East on Cactus toward Rainbow. I finished my shopping, deciding I could go to the location and and attempt to spot him and catch him. It wasn't long until I came across him, the traffic was very busy. I was concerned he would dart into oncoming cars, so I drove ahead of him in the attempt to open my rear passenger door and coax him into the car. Another individual came to my aid and helped by driving ahead of me and we boxed in Big John. She was able to stop Big John and I provided her a leash to get him secured. Big John was exhausted.

We took him to the nearest vet clinic and had him scanned for a microchip at 5:30PM. He did not have one. I called Animal Protection Services to inform them that he was caught and safe in my care. I told them I would offer a "community stray hold" for 72 hours per Clark County ordinance, in an attempt to locate and reunite him to his owners. I kept thinking "maybe he was stolen, maybe his person died and he escaped?". I tried to think of alternatives to the worst case scenario, but it seems to be clear he was dumped, like trash and left for the elements to tear him apart.

I posted on multiple platforms that he had been found. Reached out to a few people in rescue who are super overwhelmed as we have a National Crisis of lost and abandoned animals. I decided it would be helpful to do this myself. My career is in animal behavior and training, I've acquired years of experience in both shelter and rescue work, as well as am familiar with fostering and rehoming. I began to slowly nurse him. He was dehydrated, starving, and in bad condition and he needed slow and specialized care so as not to overwhelm his system.

His body score was a 2. I forgot to have the vet clinic weigh him the evening they scanned for a chip, but I would say based on the weight I did get days later, he had to have been approximately #108-110. His ears were full of debris and his coat stunk really bad and was flaky, dirty and coarse. His teeth are in terrible condition.

It is now day 7 as I write this. I got a weight on him at my vet's hospital, and he is currently #114. He has been bathed, ears cleaned, we replaced his disgusting buckle collar with a bright new blue one, his nails have been trimmed and his vet appointment is scheduled for this upcoming Monday Dec. 11th at 4PM at Aloha Animal Hospital. (See Update). 

I need help with Big John’s medical expenses. I have paid close to $1400 out of pocket and there are more expenses to come. See below for what has been completed and what still needs to be done.

As of December 23rd, 2023

✅ = Completed

⚠️ = Needs to be completed

Vaccines ✅ 

Intestinal Parasite Deworming (Not Applicable) 

Microchip ✅ 

Dental ⚠️

Neuter ⚠️

Bloodwork ✅ 

Heart Check (listened to and no abnormal rhythms heard) 

X-rays ✅

Heartworm Preventative ✅

Doxycycline Treatment ✅

Heartworm Treatments ⚠️

Big John is currently being treated with doxycycline to clear the tick borne illnesses, as well as the first line of treatment for heartworm. We will return to the vet February 9th for the most aggressive form of heartworm treatment. Once we have knocked out heartworm, we will focus on his dental and neuter. 

You are more than welcome to reach out to me and ask questions. At this time, he is not available for adoption. He is on medical hold and will remain on medical hold until he receives the medical care he needs and deserves. It is my intent to have him gain weight and recover and then get cleared by a vet care team.

I truly appreciate everyone who has been thinking of him, wanting to help. He needs a support system.