Turkey the puppy survives mother’s attack, looking for a home

 

Turkey has now recovered from surgery.
Turkey is shown in recovery after surgery at Madison Veterinary Hospital.

A puppy, almost killed by its own mother, has recovered with care at Madison Veterinary Hospital and now needs a home.

Owners brought the puppy to the clinic on Nov. 25, 2011. The female, six-month-old mixed-breed dog was in shock, hypothermic and had sustained multiple bite wounds — the most severe on her back legs.

“The puppy was unresponsive and, though immediate prognosis was grave, treatment was initiated to see if she would respond,” Dr. Lauren N. Smith said. “Remarkably, she began to show signs of improvement. The next day, she began to walk, responded to doctors and technicians and started to eat.”

However, a deep infection attacked her back legs. Concerned that bacteria would reach the bloodstream (septicemia), Smith removed dead skin and rotting tissue, exposing large amounts of underlying muscle and bone. After consulting with a veterinary surgeon in Sacramento, Calif., Smith performed a skin flap and graft.

The hospital staff quickly bonded with the dog, who showed a remarkable spirit of determination to surpass the odds. “The staff named her ‘Turkey’ because she arrived one day after Thanksgiving,” Smith said.

Dr. Patrick Gorman, owner of Madison Veterinary Hospital, approved the use of the hospital’s Sydney Charity Fund to cover costs for Turkey.

Two months after the brutal attack, Turkey is “well on the road to recovery and walks around the hospital with all four legs intact, wagging her tail to make sure everyone knows she is well,” Smith said.

Turkey needs loving, understanding owners, willing to raise a puppy indoors with monthly heartworm and flea preventatives and up-to-date vaccinations.

“Turkey is dog- and cat-friendly but cannot (live) with an aggressive dog,” Smith said. “She is sweet with children but can be initially timid. She just requires patience and a gentle person. She will warm up.”

Now 33 pounds, Turkey probably will reach 38-40.

Smith earned a bachelor’s degree at Sam Houston State University and completed veterinary school at Texas A&M University. “I’m an Army brat and spent most of my time in Germany and Harker Heights, Texas,” she said.

Madison Veterinary Hospital’s address is 1605 Hughes Road. For information, call 256-837-9171 or visit madisonvet.com.

Bob Jones High School

Local Talent Shines In Alabama Baseball Victory At Toyota Field

Bob Jones High School

Bartlett selected as Executive Director of US Chess Federation

Madison

Mill Creek students shine in Elementary Science Olympiad

Madison

Facility dog Daryl comforts, ‘listens’ to children at Midtown elementary

Madison

Batt-Rawden named ‘Alabama School Psychologist of the Year’

Madison

Madison city councilman Teddy Powell loses to Marilyn Lands in special election for HD10

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones’ population fondly remembers Angela Mooney

Digital Version

Digital version of The Madison Record – March 27, 2024

Events

AUSA showcasing the U.S. Army’s technological advances in Huntsville

Madison

Voters in HD10 to decide who fills unexpired term today

Madison

Jackie Smith’s legacy thrives through her students at Mill Creek

Harvest

AUSA sponsors ‘Operation Deploy Your Dress’ for women’s gowns

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones ‘fetches’ ‘Mean Girls – High School Version’ for Spring Musical

Events

Arts Huntsville announces Panoply Arts Festival 2024 highlights  

Huntsville

Women in Tech – Huntsville event to view business future, open scholarships

James Clemens High School

Students in grades K-11 earn City Chess Champ titles

Madison

MVP Community Impact Grant helps library’s Music Garden

Harvest

Enjoy a day of celebration at TARCOG’s Senior Fun Fest

Madison

Kim Dykes named state’s Augmentative and Alternative Communication Professional

Bob Jones High School

All-Girls National Chess Championships set for Chicago

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Mustang Mud Run Set For April 13- Register Now

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Madison Miracle League Facility Hopes To Be “Shining” Location

Bob Jones High School

Madison Visionary Awards: Madison residents and business leaders named finalists for volunteerism awards

Digital Version

Digital version of The Madison Record – March 13, 2024

x