Help Hunter Heal What Distemper Left Behind

When Baw Baw Animal Welfare first stepped in, Hunter’s jaw wouldn’t stop moving. Not the cute little chatter dogs do when they’re excited—this was involuntary, constant, and painful. His mouth trembled so hard he could barely eat, barely drink, barely perform the most basic things every dog deserves to do without thinking.

And here’s the tough part: this isn’t a brand-new injury. This is the aftermath of something he already survived.

A year ago, Hunter fought off canine distemper—a brutal disease that should’ve taken him out. He survived the fevers, the weakness, the neurological storm raging through his body. He came out the other side. And he won.

But distemper doesn’t always let go cleanly. What you’re seeing now—the constant jaw tremors, the struggle to close his mouth—is the neurological fallout of that illness. It’s the ghost of a battle he already fought once, still haunting him today.

The tiny piece of hope in all this? Hunter CAN get better.

He doesn’t need invasive medical procedures. Instead, what he needs is ongoing physiotherapy, supportive exercises, and consistent, hands-on care to retrain his neuromuscular coordination. With consistent care and monitoring, his prognosis is good—he just needs the chance to get there.

But the rescue is drowning in medical bills, and this kind of long-term supportive care is expensive. Your support will give Hunter access to the physiotherapy and ongoing care he needs to eat and drink more comfortably, regain strength, and live the happy, pain-free life he deserves.

Please consider donating to Hunter today.

Update 11/16/25

We’re so relieved and grateful to share that Hunter’s health is improving. His jaw tremors have eased, and his overall condition is better than when he first entered care. Even more encouraging—his appetite, behavior, and water intake are all back to normal. These are huge milestones for a dog who once struggled to eat and drink without pain.

But Hunter’s journey isn’t over yet.

His continued progress depends on ongoing physiotherapy, supportive care, and regular monitoring, all of which come with significant costs. The rescue is still facing overwhelming medical bills, and Hunter needs continued support to keep healing and regain full comfort and strength.

Update 12/17/25

Hunter is alert, active, and responsive to his surroundings. He enjoys people, familiar sounds and smells, eats and drinks regularly, sleeps well, and has moments of playfulness balanced with rest.

While this progress gives us hope, Hunter still needs ongoing physiotherapy, supportive care, and regular monitoring to continue healing. These long-term needs come with significant medical costs, and the rescue is still facing overwhelming bills.

Please consider supporting Hunter’s continued recovery. Your help gives him the chance to keep moving forward toward a comfortable, happy life. 💙