Mysti Shot in Face Medical Fund
Donation protected
This plea is to raise funds to pay for medical care for Mystic (aka Mysti) who was found critically injured in the desert from a SHOTGUN blast to the face. Mystic’s horrific story was reported on both ABC7 Eyewitness News and NBC4 in Los Angeles on April 28th and 29th. I will try to embed the links here. Please read Mystic’s tragic story below . . . .
On April 26, 2016, a severely emaciated dog covered in blood was found in the California desert near Lucerne and Apple Valley. Clinging to life, this small black German Shepherd somehow found her way onto the property of good samaritans. Austin Marshall found her in shock and got his mother Renee Showe who contacted a local rescue group. Her face was unrecognizable, swollen many times its normal size and she was covered in fresh blood from her head and neck down to her front paws. Austin, and his mom Renee took the critically injured dog to Ark Animal Hospital in Victorville, CA where they were met by Tonie Mason from the rescue group Pets Forever Found. Veterinarians worked to stabilize the poor dog and examine the extremely traumatic injuries. She had bloody wounds to the face, mouth, head, neck, and throat.
X-rays revealed multiple fractures of both the upper and lower jaws and confirmed the Veterinarian’s suspicions that this poor baby had been shot in the face. Bullet fragments are still imbedded throughout the head, throat, nasal passages, sinuses, and in the base of the tongue. Sadly, even before some monster shot her, she was basically starving to death out in the desert. Weighing only 27 lbs, her German Shepherd body appeared to be a skeleton draped in skin and fur. She had resorted to eating stones and gravel to stop her hunger pains. X-rays of the abdomen showed over 20 small rocks in her stomach.
She was given the name Mystic by Austin and Renee who saved her life. Mystic spent nearly 8 days in the hospital, but we knew she would do much better in a calm environment with one-on-one care. So as a semi-retired Registered Nurse and Certified Wound Specialist, I was able to care for Mysti (my nickname for her) in my home as her new foster mom.
Because she is dragging the right rear leg and a spinal nerve damage was suspected, Mysti was taken to All-Care Animal Referral Center and evaluated by veterinarian specialists in neurology and orthopedics. She had a plethora of tests including MRIs of the head and spine, spinal tap, labs, etc. A dental specialist examined her due to foul smelling drainage from the nose and mouth. They found complicated fractures of multiple teeth from the shotgun blast and MRIs revealed multiple fractures of SEVEN facial and nasal bones with the bullet fragments STILL present. Mystic also has nerve damage involving the left eye, as well as sciatic nerve damage causing the leg paresis. She is being treated and slowly improving, and steadily gaining weight and strength, but has a long road ahead.
Of course Mystic’s care is not cheap. Local donations were received to cover the cost of her initial care at the animal hospital, but additional veterinarian care since then has thus far cost approx $5000. In addition, Mystic still needs oral surgery (when her infection is resolved), continued medications, epidural injections, rehabilitation for the right rear leg and possible fusion of the paw if the injections and rehab fail.
Unfortunately, the rescue is unable to handle large medical cases, but I cannot do this on my own. I currently care for 6 rescue dogs and Mystic makes my 4th one requiring long term medical care. The costs are enormous. But I cannot bear to see Mystic not receive the care she desperately needs and deserves.
In spite of her extreme pain, suffering, and trauma Mystic remains an incredibly loving, sweet, gentle soul! This poor angel has suffered enough!
Your donations will help to pay for what has already been and what is anticipated to be an expensive and time-consuming journey. I will be posting copies of her veterinary costs here, as well as posting updates on her care and progress.
SOME INITIAL PHOTOS:
DAY 7 IN THE ANIMAL HOSPITAL: She finally starts to eat on her own.
MAY 3, FIRST DAY IN NEW FOSTER HOME...
MAY 9: SHE'S UP 9.4 LBS!!! HOORAY!
MYSTI TRIES HER NEW WALKING SPLINT TO PREVENT HER KNUCKLING . . .
Mysti tells her new brother Floyd, "I want to be big and strong like you."
Will please you help my recovery?
On April 26, 2016, a severely emaciated dog covered in blood was found in the California desert near Lucerne and Apple Valley. Clinging to life, this small black German Shepherd somehow found her way onto the property of good samaritans. Austin Marshall found her in shock and got his mother Renee Showe who contacted a local rescue group. Her face was unrecognizable, swollen many times its normal size and she was covered in fresh blood from her head and neck down to her front paws. Austin, and his mom Renee took the critically injured dog to Ark Animal Hospital in Victorville, CA where they were met by Tonie Mason from the rescue group Pets Forever Found. Veterinarians worked to stabilize the poor dog and examine the extremely traumatic injuries. She had bloody wounds to the face, mouth, head, neck, and throat.
X-rays revealed multiple fractures of both the upper and lower jaws and confirmed the Veterinarian’s suspicions that this poor baby had been shot in the face. Bullet fragments are still imbedded throughout the head, throat, nasal passages, sinuses, and in the base of the tongue. Sadly, even before some monster shot her, she was basically starving to death out in the desert. Weighing only 27 lbs, her German Shepherd body appeared to be a skeleton draped in skin and fur. She had resorted to eating stones and gravel to stop her hunger pains. X-rays of the abdomen showed over 20 small rocks in her stomach.
She was given the name Mystic by Austin and Renee who saved her life. Mystic spent nearly 8 days in the hospital, but we knew she would do much better in a calm environment with one-on-one care. So as a semi-retired Registered Nurse and Certified Wound Specialist, I was able to care for Mysti (my nickname for her) in my home as her new foster mom.
Because she is dragging the right rear leg and a spinal nerve damage was suspected, Mysti was taken to All-Care Animal Referral Center and evaluated by veterinarian specialists in neurology and orthopedics. She had a plethora of tests including MRIs of the head and spine, spinal tap, labs, etc. A dental specialist examined her due to foul smelling drainage from the nose and mouth. They found complicated fractures of multiple teeth from the shotgun blast and MRIs revealed multiple fractures of SEVEN facial and nasal bones with the bullet fragments STILL present. Mystic also has nerve damage involving the left eye, as well as sciatic nerve damage causing the leg paresis. She is being treated and slowly improving, and steadily gaining weight and strength, but has a long road ahead.
Of course Mystic’s care is not cheap. Local donations were received to cover the cost of her initial care at the animal hospital, but additional veterinarian care since then has thus far cost approx $5000. In addition, Mystic still needs oral surgery (when her infection is resolved), continued medications, epidural injections, rehabilitation for the right rear leg and possible fusion of the paw if the injections and rehab fail.
Unfortunately, the rescue is unable to handle large medical cases, but I cannot do this on my own. I currently care for 6 rescue dogs and Mystic makes my 4th one requiring long term medical care. The costs are enormous. But I cannot bear to see Mystic not receive the care she desperately needs and deserves.
In spite of her extreme pain, suffering, and trauma Mystic remains an incredibly loving, sweet, gentle soul! This poor angel has suffered enough!
Your donations will help to pay for what has already been and what is anticipated to be an expensive and time-consuming journey. I will be posting copies of her veterinary costs here, as well as posting updates on her care and progress.
SOME INITIAL PHOTOS:
DAY 7 IN THE ANIMAL HOSPITAL: She finally starts to eat on her own.
MAY 3, FIRST DAY IN NEW FOSTER HOME...
MAY 9: SHE'S UP 9.4 LBS!!! HOORAY!
MYSTI TRIES HER NEW WALKING SPLINT TO PREVENT HER KNUCKLING . . .
Mysti tells her new brother Floyd, "I want to be big and strong like you."
Will please you help my recovery?
Organizer
Belinda Skala Joyce
Organizer
Hesperia, CA