Severely Infected and Exhausted — Grover Needs Emergency Care

Grover should have been wagging his tail — not fighting to survive.

When Grover was rushed to the hospital, veterinarians were met with a devastating sight: a large, round wound on the left side of his face measuring nearly 7 centimeters across. The injury had already been overtaken by maggots. The infection was severe. The pain he must have endured is beyond words. He was no longer the bright, alert, responsive dog he once was.

Grover’s body was weak. He struggled to stand. He could barely walk. Most of the time, he lay motionless — exhausted, helpless, and shutting down. Thanks to the quick action of Baw Baw Animal Welfare, Grover was immediately admitted for emergency care. His wound was carefully shaved, flushed, and cleaned to remove the maggots and infected tissue. He was started on strong antibiotics, pain relief, and treatment for parasites that were further draining his fragile body.

But Grover’s fight isn’t over. Severe wounds like this require ongoing medical treatment, daily cleaning, medications, monitoring, and supportive care to ensure the infection does not return and that healthy tissue can regrow. Malnutrition and weakness must be addressed. His strength needs to be rebuilt slowly and safely.

Right now, Grover needs time — and he needs us. Despite everything he has endured, there are glimpses of hope. When gentle hands reach toward him, he doesn’t pull away. When spoken to softly, his eyes follow the sound. Somewhere beneath the pain and exhaustion, Grover is still there. And he deserves the chance to fully come back.

Your donation today will go directly toward Grover’s emergency veterinary care, medications, wound management, nutritional support, and recovery. Every dollar helps relieve his suffering and move him closer to healing.

If you are unable to donate, sharing Grover’s story can help us reach someone who can. Grover has suffered enough. Now it’s our turn to show him compassion, safety, and the promise of a better tomorrow. Please help us give Grover the second chance he so desperately needs.

3/15/26 Update

We are heartbroken to share an update about Grover. When Grover was brought to the veterinary hospital, his condition was already extremely severe. The large wound on the side of his face had been deeply infested with maggots, and much of the outer skin tissue had already been destroyed. Because so much of the skin — the body’s natural protective barrier — had been damaged, it left Grover highly vulnerable to infection and disease.

Despite immediate medical care, cleaning of the wound, antibiotics, pain relief, and supportive treatment, Grover’s body had already become very weak. Without the protection of healthy skin, harmful pathogens were able to enter his body more easily, and the infection had taken a devastating toll on his fragile condition. The veterinary team did everything they could to help him fight, but sadly, Grover’s body was simply too compromised. Despite all efforts, we were unable to save him.

Grover’s suffering has ended, but the loss of this gentle soul weighs heavily on all of us. No animal should have to endure the pain and neglect that he experienced before help finally reached him.

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who supported Grover during his final days — whether through donations, sharing his story, or sending messages of compassion. Your kindness allowed him to receive medical care, comfort, and dignity when he needed it most.

Although Grover’s journey ended too soon, your support helped ensure that he was not alone and that his suffering was met with compassion.

On behalf of Baw Baw Animal Welfare and the veterinary team who cared for him, thank you for standing with Grover.

We will continue fighting for animals like him — those who have no voice and nowhere else to turn. Grover will always be remembered.