Jeremiah's Story
Animal Stories from All-Creatures.org

FROM

Indraloka Animal Sanctuary
June 2018

So many tools and resources are needed in life-saving situations like Jeremiah's, and without them, the story might not have had a happy ending.

Pig Jeremiah

Sanctuary life is uncertain, and emergencies are unpredictable...

Sometimes you receive a call so urgent, it requires immediate attention, at any time of any day... Sometimes you meet an animal on the brink of death, having suffered from unspeakable trauma... Sometimes you don't know if they are going to make it through the night... Sometimes the situation is so dire that no matter what you do, it might just be too late...

That was the case when we first met Jeremiah. He had a severe case of pneumonia, so severe that blood poured out of his tiny snout. He was so emaciated that his bones shown through his skin, and he was so weak that his little legs couldn't hold up his skinny body. He was dirty and covered in sores. But he wanted to live- he looked up with hope, hope that we would be able to save him. We needed your help then to save him, and we need your help now to save more like him.

Jeremiah's case was an urgent and required immediate attention. If we didn't act fast, he wouldn't make it through the night. So his round-the-clock emergency care began...

First, we needed to make sure he was hydrated. We weren't sure the last time he was able to drink fresh, cool, water, so we offered him a bowl that he slowly drank down. His weak body needed help staying warm, so we laid him under a heat lamp with many soft, cozy blankets and a cushy pillow to rest his tired head.

We fed him by hand and via syringe because he was not strong enough to feed himself, and we administered medicines to help fight off infections and to help his body to heal. His legs and feet were covered in painful sores as a result of living in extreme filth his entire life, so we cleaned, medicated, and wrapped his wounds.

Pig Jeremiah

But he wasn't healing, in fact, he was getting worse, so his emergency care amped up even more. We did not leave his side. We continued to feed him, medicate him, keep him warm, comfort him, and above it all, love him. That continued, along with several vet visits, for the next couple of days.

After a week Jeremiah was feeling better. He wasn't healed, but he was sitting up on his own, drinking water and taking small bits of food. He was still a bit sore, but he was now in recovery and was no longer fighting each minute for his life.

After two weeks Jeremiah was walking on his own and enjoying yummy fruits and vegetables. He was safe now, and on his way to a healthy, free life at his new forever home.

It's been 4 years since Jeremiah's rescue, and he is happier and healthier than ever, enjoying his days with his 3 brothers, rooting and napping as they please.

It is only because we had an emergency preparedness plan in place that we were able to save him, and that he is still with us today. So many tools and resources are needed in life-saving situations like Jeremiah's, and without them, the story might not have had a happy ending. While we have come a long way since 2014, we still have a long way to go.

 

Please go to our website Indraloka Animal Sanctuary and DONATE. Thank you!


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