B
oomerang is a two-year-old Shepherd-mix dog with
a big personality and lots of energy. He was up for
adoption at a Springtown festival and was adopted by a
family.
“The family took him to the local vet because he was
lethargic and had diarrhea. After examining him care-
fully, the vet came to the conclusion that Boomerang had
Parvovirus. The vet recommended he be euthanized,”
explained Kenzie Montgomery of the Weatherford/Parker
County Animal Shelter.
Canine Parvovirus (or CPV) is a tiny, highly contagious
virus that is extremely dangerous to dogs, especially young
puppies. It mainly affects digestion and the heart. There
are many symptoms to this potential deadly disease, such
as lethargy, depression, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, chills,
loss of appetite and dehydration. If not immediately treat-
ed, it can be devastating.
Unfortunately, after hearing the vet’s diagnosis,
the family decided to return the young dog to the
Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter to be eutha-
nized. The shelter immediately took him to their vet,
Dr. Kent Glenn, for his own assessment of Boomerang’s
condition.
“We decided to give Boomerang a second chance
because he looked like such fighter,” said Montgomery.
After thorough surgical care, it was discovered Boomerang
in fact did not have CPV. During a surgery performed by
Dr. Glenn and his team, they identified a blockage in his
intestines because he had eaten something he should not
have eaten (not sure exactly what it was, but it was made
of plastic). The medical team removed the blockage and
nursed Boomerang back to health. Soon after, Boomerang
returned to his lively, playful self with Dr. Glenn and his
team overjoyed to see that Boomerang was happy and
healthy.
Many people wrongly believe that all shelter pups are
severely sick, but as Boomerang has proven, that simply is
not true. A lot of shelter pups are very strong and healthy,
and not all viruses are immediately a death sentence.
Also, you will always find shelter pups to be loyal and
smart companions.
Sadly, Boomerang’s forever home didn’t turn out to be
so forever. Even when they learned that he had made a
remarkable recovery, they didn’t have room in their hearts
and home for him any longer; but, that’s good news for
another deserving family.
“A lot of people expect that if a dog comes from a
shelter there are going to have something pretty severe
wrong with them or something, but that’s not always the
case,” explained Montgomery. “We do a lot of great work
here in making sure they’re vaccinated, and making sure
they’re as healthy as can be before being adopted.”
As of this writing, Boomerang was still up for adop-
tion and looking for his forever home. For more infor-
mation on Boomerang and other shelter animals, visit
the Weatherford-Parker County Animal Shelter at 403
Hickory Ln., Weatherford TX. You can also go online to
their website at weatherfordtx.gov/animals, or call (817)
Weatherford Parker County
Animal Shelter
Giving
Second Chances
Campaign
$1.65 Million goal
to improve The WPCAS facility
and their life saving efforts.
Donate online at:
weatherfordtx.gov/animals
403 Hickory Lane | Weatherford, TX | 76086 | 817-598-4111
[email protected]
http://www.facebook.com/WPCAnimal
(All donations are tax deductable)
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