So far, life hasn’t been very easy for Caitlyn, the 15-month-old chocolate Staffordshire bull terrier mix who was found with tape wrapped around her muzzle. However, she’s not letting that stop her from making a successful recovery.
According to a recent CNN article, Caitlyn had been a well-known stray in a neighborhood of North Charleston, SC, before being left on someone’s doorstep with electrical tape wrapped so tightly around her muzzle that it cut off circulation to her tongue.
Upon being found, the Charleston Animal Society brought her to Veterinary Specialty Care in Mount Pleasant. Caitlyn’s surgery took about two hours. After her surgery, veterinarians said she was already on the road to a speedy, successful recovery.
“Her tongue was in way better condition than we anticipated. It was initially assessed that we would lose about a third of her tongue, and we sort of revised that estimate to a fourth, but I don’t think she lost an eighth of it,” Dr. Henri Bianucci said.
After her surgery, Caitlyn got the chance to become a calendar model, co-starring in a photo-shoot with some of Charleston’s firefighters. The annual charity calendar’s proceeds go toward helping sick pets.
From there, Caitlyn was transferred to a medical foster home, where she will stay for the next few months. Her follow-up treatments will include veterinary laser therapy and hyperbaric oxygen treatment, which both promote healing. Most pets require anywhere from three to 10 veterinary laser therapy treatments for best results.
The Charleston Animal Society is hoping Caitlyn’s story will raise awareness about animal cruelty, and is now asking for donations to help cover the cost of the dog’s surgery. Because the dog is involved with a criminal investigation regarding the man who allegedly wrapped the tape around her muzzle, the Daily Mail reports that Caitlyn won’t go up for adoption until next year.
Until that time, Caitlyn will continue her treatments and continue to make what’s projected to be a fast recovery.
“We have the greatest of hopes for this beautiful girl,” Senior Director of Veterinary Care Lucy Fuller said.