Urgent: Help Cali the Abandoned Shih Tzu Fight Aggressive Mouth Infection

This sweet girl was picked up by Animal Control on December 10th, and her intake photo truly speaks volumes. Cali was in rough shape. She was filthy, matted, and her teeth were in terrible shape with clear signs of infection. Poor Cali was in such poor condition due to neglect that it left her in pain every time she moved or tried to eat.

Thankfully, Pooch Savers Rescue took her in, and Cali was taken to Humane Animal Hospital in Dallas on 1/3/25 for spay and dental. They had pre-op blood work done and the results indicated a severe infection. Cali's vet, Dr. Carver, believed that given her white blood cell count being off the charts, in addition to an infected mouth, it might also be a pyometra, a life-threatening condition where the uterus is infected.

She was hospitalized and began a week of fluids and powerful antibiotics. On January 6th, Dr. Carver discovered Cali had already been spayed! He also quickly discovered the source of the infection was 100% coming from her mouth! To quote Dr. Carver, "in my 52 years as a vet, I have never seen a white blood cell count as high as Cali's, for a mouth infection".

Cali had all but 4 teeth removed...her gums were rotted to the bone and necrosis had set in. Once all the dead gum tissue was removed, the remaining gums were tacked to the jaw bones. Cali remained in the care of Dr. Carver, receiving antibiotics and pain meds until mid-January, when she was taken home. She has lost some weight, but her eyes are bright and her tail wagging! Stay tuned for updates as she continues to convalesce with us.

Cali's expenses have been excessive, estimated to be just over $2,000. Pooch Savers Rescue is kindly requesting your support so that they can continue to save the Cali's of the world. Please consider donating today.