honeycomb
Breed:Pit Bull Terrier (mix breed)
Age: Young adult
Gender:
Female
Size: Medium
About honeycomb: Honeycomb ACCT-A-207609 is currently considered urgent and at risk of euthanasia due to medical concerns, lack of space for incoming dogs, and length of stay. Honeycomb must have confirmed placement with an RESCUE PARTNER or EXPERIENCED ADOPTER by Thursday, December 19th at 10 A.M. Should Honeycomb's medical or behavioral status change, her urgency and timeline for placement may also change.
Meet Honeycomb! This poor girl was found living in a trash heap, after someone noticed her for over a week. She was brought in by Animal Protection Officers on 11/21 where it was noted she was found covered from head to tail with scars from bite wounds, and she had multiple abscesses where they got infected. When she came to the shelter, she was emaciated, anemic, dehydrated and had a very high fever. Her injuries had made her sick to the point where she may have not survived much longer without medical intervention. She has improved greatly during her stay at the shelter but still has some healing to do. Her right back leg is muscle wasted from disuse and needs physical therapy to help her regain full function. Both back legs have luxating patellas(her kneecaps slip out of place), and could benefit from an orthopedic consult to determine the best route of care for them. Due to these medical concerns and her extended stay, Honeycomb is timestamped and urgently needs a rescue or an experienced adopter who can provide her with the care she needs.
Honeycomb has bonded well with the people she spends time with and is open to new people if they are patient with her. She is very timid at first and usually hides when meeting new people. Once she knows she can trust you, she turns into a silly snuggle bug who gives kisses and belly rubs. She has had full run of an office at the shelter and hasn't been destructive. She only uses her toys for chewing. She may be housebroken; She tries to wait to go outside, but when she does go inside, it's always on the potty pad/towel that's provided.
Making friends with other dogs has been a challenge for Honey. It's understandable that she's afraid of being attacked given her history. She usually starts out sniffing and wagging her tail, like she wants to be friends. It seems like her nerves get the best of her though, as she has often resorted to growling or barking eventually. It's possible that Honeycomb may be able to live peaceably with another dog at some point, but she's not there right now. It's going to take a lot of time and patience for her to learn how to trust another dog again.
Honeycomb has already been through so much in her short life. She has shown us how resilient she is and we are hoping there is someone out there that can help with the next steps in her journey!
On 12/8 staff noted: Loves belly rubs and to snuggle. She is very timid but once she warms up to you she is quite silly and sweet. Likes chew toys. Appeared housebroken
On 12/5 during a recheck exam it was noted that there is moderate to marked muscle wasting of the right hindlimb. Able to almost fully extend stifle, but there is skin contracture both on the caudal aspect of the stifle (scar tissue present) and craniomedial aspect of the limb proximal to the stifle joint (where there are two 5-7mm healing scabs still present) that prevent full extension. Grade 3/4 Medial Patellar Luxation (MPL) is present with significant medial buttress, but stifle is otherwise stable with no cranial drawer or tibial thrust elicited. which may require surgical correction for normal range of motion as well. There appears to be mild subcutaneous emphysema +/- scant fluid pocketing in the thigh region (more palpable medially than laterally), but not painful, erythematous or swollen. Popliteal lymph node is plump, but not significantly enlarged. Wounds have overall healed very well, but there are still two areas of scabbing present craniomedial proximal to the stifle on the thigh area, and there is still some mild subcutaneous emphysema +/- fluid present as well within the distal thigh. Range of motion of the stifle does appear to be improving, but still somewhat limited, likely secondary to the areas of skin (and probably underlying muscle) contracture. Would benefit from physical therapy and rehabilitation to help strengthen the right hindlimb and gradually break down the scar tissue to develop normal range of motion again. If PT/rehab are not sufficient to get her to normal weight bearing, surgical correction of patellar luxation may be indicated as well given the grade of disease.
On 11/29 staff noted: We hung out with Honeycomb for a bit today to see how she's doing! She's still residing in an office, and when we walked in she hid under the table near a staff member. She approached the other handler first, since she knew them, with a low body and low wags. She allowed some all over pets and love, and hid back under the desk. She needed a little encouragement to say hi to me since I was a stranger, but she was very brave and allowed me to give her some gentle head pets. She was too nervous to take treats, but did allow all handling, and even allowed gentle touch near her injured leg. Overall, Honeycomb is a sweet, shy girl that is trying her best to be brave while she recovers!
During an exam on 11/25, it was noted that Honeycomb has bilateral luxating patellas, marked muscle wasting of R hind from lack of use. ALthough stifle area of R hind is swollen, rads do not indicate that there is disease within the joint or bones(infection/fracture etc). Full extension of R stifle is difficult even with Honeycomb under light sedation. There is pocketing of air within the thigh. After recovering from sedation, Honeycomb actually started toe touching with the R hind, instead of constant NWB. She is eating and drinking and began to seem playful with toys today. It's possible that Honeycomb had injury to the area around the stifle and scar tissue is causing contraction, or Honeycomb has simply not used the limb for so long that the disuse has caused muscle wasting and dysfunction of the limb. Honeycomb would benefit from Ortho consult. CBC results show further decrease in HCT(down to 10.5 from 14.2) with continued increase in reticulocytes(Up to 301 from 242). WBC's are still increased(21) but much improved from initial CBC(43). The decrease in HCT is quite concerning however Honeycomb is behaving as a dog with such a low RBC ct. This anemia has likely been chronic.
On 11/24 during a brief exam, it was not that Honeycomb was a bit more lethargic today, feels warm to touch. Mm's slightly tacky and still pale. Honeycomb still non weight bearing on right hind. Appears to be eating small amounts at a time but hasn't finished breakfast. Honeycomb was observed drinking. Abscess over shoulder blades appears to be healing well, Distal abscess on medial right hind ruptured at some point since intake and is draining. Didn't assess the wounds further up on the medial thigh. Left carpal swelling improved but not resolved. Honeycomb is febrile again despite current therapy. Concern for right stifles involvement due to injuries. Honeycomb was noted to continue to be well mannered overall; initially a bit nervous with new people but warms up. Allows most handling but has growled when the right hind is being examined and sometimes for needles. Given her Hx, she's doing well behaviorally speaking and we've been pleasantly surprised at her level of trust in us.
On 11/24 staff noted: Honeycomb continues to be well mannered overall. She's been a low energy pup but it's unclear if that's just how she is or secondary to her injuries +/- needing time to decompress. Initially a bit nervous with new people but warms up. Allows most handling but has growled when R hind is being examined(understandable, as it's very painful) and sometimes for needles. Given Pt's Hx, she's doing well behaviorally speaking and we've been pleasantly surprised at her level of trust in us. She has been given free reign of the office and hasn't been destructive of anything. She always uses the pads/towel by the door for potty.
On 11/21 during Honeycombs initial exam it was noted that she is subdued but appreciates affection. Skin is warm to the touch. She drank a good amount of water when picked up by APO. Honeycomb is not bearing weight on the right hind, the stifle appears to be swollen. Multiple abscesses appear to have been present for some time. Honeycomb is febrile @ 105.4. Her teeth had brown staining with mild calculus build up, likely accelerated by malnutrition. One mandibular incisor appears to be rotten(chipped off and gray in appearance. She was non weight bearing on the right hind with bony swelling associated with stifle, she is very painful with extension of leg. Left carpus is also swollen mildly, but allows palpation with no reaction. High flea burden. Multiple superficial scabs and scars that are insignificant.
Three noted abscesses that appear to be long standing. 1) Lime sized abscess over shoulder blades that exuded large amount of serosang fluid when scab removed. Flesh underneath is thickened and pocketed. 2) Medial aspect R thigh, up near inguinal area above stifle. Several puncture wounds with serosang d'c, couldn't fully examine with Honeycomb pain level but suspect it has deep pocketing ventrally. 3) Medial aspect R hind below stifle, grape sized, hasn't ruptured, didn't not aspirate due to her pain level.
Blood work CBC showed marked anemia and leukocytosis. Anemia is regenerative and suspected to be secondary to flea burden, malnutrition +/- internal parasites. Cannot r/o other causes at the time. Increase in WBC's suspect secondary to infection and inflammation. Minor abnormalities in Chem/lytes including ALbumin, glob and Cl. Suspect they will normalize with proper hydration and nutrition. Honeycomb is malnourished with several likely chronic abscesses causing possible systemic infection. Possible stifle joint involvement with abscesses on right hind, Left carpal swelling is likely associated with wounds in the area. Wounds may need surgical debridement at some point. Right stifle needs radiographed and ideally examined more thoroughly when pain is better controlled.
On 11/21 staff noted- Dog appears not to want to put weight on back leg. I believe it is the right one. Dog is very underweight and was very thirsty when I picked her up. Drank 30oz of water
On 11/21 staff noted- Dog is super sweet. Allows you to pick her up and allows all over handling
On 11/21 staff noted- Caller stated that Dog has been sleeping in a pile of trash in the back of an abandoned house for over a week. Caller stated that her and other neighbors had been giving the dog food and water, but the dog has not been eating much of the food. Appears that one of the back legs is injured.
See videos of Honey below
Honeycomb meets a stranger: https://youtube.com/shorts/3EJV3Nr52E4?feature=share
Honeycomb goes to the park: https://youtube.com/shorts/CrUrdVtgM_Y
Honeycomb and Magnum Fence Meet: https://youtube.com/shorts/tajzzArpy2A?feature=share
Honeycomb and Magnum Meet: https://youtube.com/shorts/gcFcx2eniIg?feature=share
Due to being significantly overcapacity with dogs and cats and higher than usual intake, extensions are unlikely to be granted. If you are interested in an animal please contact ACCT Philly immediately.
Due to limited space, timestamps may also be proceeded with early so it is imperative to let us know if you are considering adopting or tagging a dog or cat.
Confirmed placement is considered confirmation of an actual rescue pull. Possible placement, interested parties, and other "TBD" statuses are not considered confirmed and do not indicate an animal is no longer urgent.
ACCT Philly is located at 111 West Hunting Park Ave in Philadelphia. We are open for adoptions 7 days a week. Please visit www.acctphilly.org/adopt for details.
All animals at ACCT Philly are from Philadelphia, as the only open intake animal shelter in Philadelphia, we are not able to accept animals from outside of Philadelphia. ACCT Philly?s Pennsylvania kennel license number is 08313