Sad Bald Dog Turns Into The Fuzziest Teddy Bear | The Dodo

They welcomed two cats from the outdoors just in time. Days later, one of them brought kittens into the world. Reba and her kittensAmberLate last month, Amber, a dedicated foster volunteer with Tails of the Forgotten Paws, received word about two cats rescued from a local colony. One of them was heavily pregnant.Volunteers brought the pair to safety and transported them to Amber's home. Named Reba and Harry, the two adored each other from the moment they arrived. Though dirty, scared, and unsure of their surroundings, they were finally safe. "I do think Harry is the dad, and he is a complete sweetheart," Amber told Love Meow.At first, they hid under furniture, but behind their wary eyes were gentle souls longing for love. AmberThey slowly crept out from their hiding spots. Reba remained a bit cautious, but Harry's transformation was swift. Once he realized food was plentiful, and his foster mom was kind, he leaned wholeheartedly into affection.Though he had arrived rough around the edges, he blossomed within 48 hours into the sweetest, most affectionate boy. Harry and RebaAmberSoon, Harry was approaching Amber for chin and back rubs, purring with such delight that the whole room seemed to hum. The moment Amber spoke, he turned his head toward her, eager for more attention.With hearty meals and soft blankets, Harry quickly became a champion biscuit-maker. "The trust he is showing and the resilience of his spirit just blow me away." HarryAmberReba also began to relax and accept love. She allowed gentle pets and no longer retreated under the cabinet. Heavily pregnant, she relished her endless supply of food and rubbed her face all over the cozy nesting area prepared for her."The babies are moving around, and in the brief moments I see her standing up, her belly is very low and looks to be so heavy." AmberHarry embraced indoor life as if he had been waiting for it for a long time. He was never far from Reba, keeping her company and offering emotional support. But whenever Amber entered the room, he was ready for affection, kneading and purring instantly.In only a few days, he had gone from a timid cat hiding under the cupboard to a trusting snuggle bug proudly showing off his belly. AmberReba continued settling into the comforts of indoor life and even began to purr. Then, one night, Amber awoke to the faint cries of a newborn kitten. She hurried to check on Reba and discovered she had delivered her first baby.24 hours later, Reba had all her kittens nestled beside her, nursing peacefully. AmberAmber breathed a sigh of relief, knowing Reba had given birth safely inside rather than out in the elements. It was likely not Reba's first litter, but it would certainly be her last. Spaying and neutering are key to preventing endless litters and suffering."I'm so very glad she is safe in care along with Harry to raise her littles and find her happily ever after." Amber"Fostering and supporting your local rescue groups and foster carers are so important, so beautiful cats like Reba and her little ones can have the lives they deserve."With Reba tending to her kittens' every need, they are gaining weight and wiggling around with newfound energy. Through it all, Harry has stayed close, giving Reba space while quietly watching over her and offering companionship with soothing purrs. Amber"He's been completely fine with them, and she's not bothered at all. Reba is starting to warm up now that her kittens are born. She's a wonderful mother to her babies."Thanks to these compassionate volunteers, this feline family will never spend another day outside. Their futures will be bright and filled with comfort, warmth, and love. AmberShare this story with your friends. More on this little family and Amber's fosters on Instagram @kitty_fostering_oz and Tails of the Forgotten Paws @tailsoftheforgottenpaws_au.Related story: Cat Curled Up Outside House on Bitter Cold Day, When the Door Opened, He Walked in Ready for Change

Dog bites happen more often than most pet owners realize, with over 4.5 million incidents reported annually in the United States. Proper dog bite wound care can mean the difference between quick healing and serious complications. We at DogingtonPost know that immediate action matters when dealing with these injuries. The right steps taken within the first few minutes can prevent infections and promote faster recovery. What Should You Do First After a Dog Bite Control Bleeding Immediately The first 60 seconds after a dog bite determine your wound’s healing trajectory. Apply direct pressure with any clean cloth available to stop active bleeding. In 2008, there were about 316,200 ED visits and 9,500 hospital stays related to dog bites. For puncture wounds deeper than half an inch, maintain steady pressure for 10-15 minutes without lifting the cloth to check progress. Deep bites on hands and feet bleed more profusely due to rich blood supply in these areas (particularly around joints and fingertips). Clean the Wound Within 15 Minutes Thorough cleaning prevents 80% of dog bite infections according to emergency medicine data. Wash the bite area thoroughly with soap and warm water for 3-5 minutes, then scrub gently with antibacterial soap for another 5 minutes. Dog bite infections can rapidly progress to septic shock in severe cases. Flush puncture wounds with a syringe filled with warm saline solution if available. Pat the area dry with a sterile gauze pad-never rub the wound tissue. This gentle approach protects damaged skin cells from further trauma. Apply Treatment and Protection Spread a thin layer of antibiotic ointment that contains bacitracin or neomycin across the cleaned wound. Cover with sterile gauze secured with medical tape, and change the dressing twice daily. Wounds on hands require bulky dressings to prevent movement-related reopening. Monitor for infection signs that include increased redness, warmth, or pus drainage within 24-48 hours. Elevate bitten limbs above heart level when resting to reduce swelling and promote drainage (this works especially well for arm and leg injuries). Assess Wound Severity Examine the bite depth and location after initial treatment. Puncture wounds pose higher infection risks than surface scratches because bacteria gets trapped deep in tissue. Bites near joints, tendons, or bones need immediate medical evaluation. Document the incident details while they remain fresh in your memory. Note the time, location, and circumstances that led to the bite. This information becomes vital when healthcare providers assess your risk for complications and determine appropriate treatment protocols. When Do Dog Bites Need Emergency Care Emergency Room Visits Cannot Wait You must seek emergency medical care immediately if blood continues to flow after 15 minutes of direct pressure or if the wound exposes bone, tendons, or joint spaces. Deep puncture wounds on hands require emergency treatment within 6 hours because hand infections spread rapidly through tendon sheaths. Research shows that delayed bite wound treatment beyond 8 hours increases infection rates from 5% to 55%, with hand bites showing infection rates up to 40%. Emergency care becomes mandatory when you cannot move fingers or joints normally after a hand bite, as this indicates potential nerve or tendon damage. Infection Warning Signs Develop Fast You should watch for infection symptoms that typically appear within 24-48 hours after the bite incident. Red streaks from the wound site toward your heart signal cellulitis that requires immediate antibiotic treatment. Fever above 100.4°F combined with increased wound pain indicates systemic infection. Capnocytophaga bacteria from dog saliva causes severe infections in people with compromised immune systems, alcohol dependency, or those without spleens (particularly dangerous for elderly patients). Pus drainage with a foul odor signals anaerobic bacterial infection that needs aggressive antibiotic therapy. Tetanus Protection Requires Timing You need to update your tetanus vaccination if your last shot occurred more than 5 years ago for dirty or deep wounds, or more than 10 years ago for clean superficial bites. Healthcare providers administer tetanus immunoglobulin for high-risk wounds in unvaccinated patients. You should schedule follow-up appointments within 48-72 hours to monitor progress and adjust antibiotic treatment if prescribed. Rabies evaluation becomes necessary when the dog’s vaccination status remains unknown or if the animal showed aggressive behavior without provocation. CDC Data Shows Serious Risks The CDC data shows untreated dog bite infections can progress to sepsis within 24 to 72 hours (especially in adults over 65). This rapid progression makes early medical intervention essential for preventing life-threatening complications. Professional medical care also helps determine the most effective antibiotic treatment based on wound location and severity, which sets the foundation for proper first aid and infection prevention strategies. How Do You Stop Dog Bite Infections at Home Advanced Home Cleaning Protocols Professional wound irrigation demands more precision than basic soap and water washing. Use a 20ml syringe filled with sterile saline solution to flush puncture wounds under pressure. Direct the stream from different angles to dislodge trapped bacteria. Studies show that high-pressure irrigation can reduce infection rates compared to gentle cleaning methods. Hydrogen peroxide damages healthy tissue and actually slows healing, so avoid it completely despite common misconceptions. Instead, use diluted betadine solution (1 part betadine to 10 parts water) for deeper wounds after initial saline flushing. Change dressings every 12 hours for the first 48 hours, then transition to daily changes once drainage decreases. Keep wounds slightly moist with antibiotic ointment rather than letting them dry completely, as moist healing reduces scarring and speeds recovery. Tracking Healing Milestones and Red Flags Normal dog bite healing follows predictable patterns that help identify complications early. Expect initial swelling and redness to peak within 24-48 hours, then gradually decrease over 5-7 days. Wound edges should appear pink and begin closing within 72 hours for superficial bites. Temperature around the wound site should return to normal skin temperature within 48 hours. Document daily measurements of redness diameter with a ruler. Photograph progress to share with healthcare providers if needed. Capnocytophaga infections develop rapidly in immunocompromised patients, with symptoms typically appearing about 5 days after the bite, though this can range from 1-14 days. Contact medical providers immediately if fever exceeds 100.4°F, red streaking extends beyond 2 inches from the wound, or pus develops a greenish color with foul odor. Prescription Treatment Protocols Doctors typically prescribe amoxicillin-clavulanate as first-line treatment for dog bite infections, with dosing at 875mg twice daily for 7-10 days. Clindamycin serves as the alternative for penicillin-allergic patients at 300mg four times daily. High-risk patients with diabetes, liver disease, or immunosuppression receive longer antibiotic courses lasting 10-14 days. Topical mupirocin ointment applied three times daily helps treat surface infections while oral antibiotics address deeper tissue involvement. Pain management typically involves ibuprofen 600mg every 8 hours for anti-inflammatory effects combined with acetaminophen for additional pain relief (always follow dosage instructions on medication labels). Final Thoughts Proper dog bite wound care demands immediate action within the first 60 seconds to control bleeding, followed by thorough cleaning with soap and water for 3-5 minutes. You must apply antibiotic ointment and sterile bandages while you monitor for infection signs like fever, red streaking, or pus drainage that develop within 24-48 hours. Healthcare providers prescribe appropriate antibiotics like amoxicillin-clavulanate and assess tetanus vaccination needs based on your immunization history. Professional medical evaluation becomes mandatory for deep puncture wounds, bites on hands or face, or when infection symptoms appear. Prevention strategies focus on understanding canine behavior and avoiding situations that trigger defensive responses (especially around food or puppies). You should never approach unfamiliar dogs while they eat or care for puppies, and you must teach children proper interaction techniques with pets. We at DogingtonPost provide comprehensive resources for responsible dog ownership, including expert advice on canine health, nutrition, and safety. Quick response to bite incidents combined with proper medical care prevents serious complications and promotes faster healing for both humans and their four-legged companions. Effective dog bite wound care protects your family and helps maintain positive relationships with canine companions.

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