Humane Officer Gonzalez responded to a Fresno Police Department call regarding 2 emaciated pit bulls. Upon arrival the tenant was not at the property. The dogs were spotted in the back yard. One was completely down and feared dead, the other was still up on its feet, barely.
Humane Officer Gonzalez approached the 2 dogs; both looked like skeletons, and were severely dehydrated. When he reached for the white dog, the one they thought was deceased…she wagged her tail. She was alive, barely, but alive. Upon further inspection of the yard, Officer Gonzalez discovered 2 other dogs locked in a back patio area. One was a pit bull, also emaciated, and the other was a little white terrier mix.
Once Officer Gonzalez got the larger dogs loaded into the truck, he picked up the little dog, that’s when he noticed there was something not right with the little dogs jaw. It was off-set and left his tongue hanging out one side. After x-rays were taken, it was discovered that our little white dog had a non-union off-set fracture of the jaw bone.
When examined by specialists, it was determined that his jaw could be fixed by straightening it out and placing a metal plate in it to join the broken pieces. It is expected that once he recovers from this surgery, he’ll be able to live out a long and happy life. Surgery is scheduled for March 25, 2013.
Update March 26, 2013: Steve is resting comfortably at Veterinary Specialty Services. He is scheduled to undergo one more procedure later this afternoon (a bone graft to a very small piece of the jaw). Dr. Marco Cervi says his prognosis remains great and he should recover nicely. Steve is maintaining that wonderful attitude we all adore him for and we can’t wait to get him back to the shelter for lots of hugs and kisses.
Update June 2013: On Wednesday, June 26, 2013, the CCSPCA staff and local media celebrated the amazing recovery of Steve Austin. Steve is now, large in part, recovered! For that, he deserved a cupcake! KMJ News Talk Radio’s Ray Appleton, broadcasted live from the CCSPCA during Steve’s party. The Cupcake King provided delicious cupcakes for all who attended and even Steve was able to chow down on his very own special cupcake!
So what’s next for Steve Austin? Steve will remain in CCSPCA Foster Care until his next exam in 4 weeks, with Dr. Cervi at Veterinary Specialty Services. Our thanks go out to everyone that supported and followed Steve Austin’s story.
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