Lurcher found in a Farmer’s Field
Urchin came into Woodgreen as a stray after being found running loose on a farmer’s field. He was so fearful that it had taken over three days to catch him.
But even from a distance, his crusty raw skin and patchy coat told a miserable story. When we first examined Urchin, we found lesions along his entire body and signs of chronic inflammation. He was also walking very gingerly as his fore paws were swollen, with signs of cysts between his ‘toes’. Being in his skin must have felt unbearable. Yet once at Woodgreen, Urchin took everything in his stride.
Our vets diagnosed Urchin with demodex mange, also known as ‘red mange’, a skin infection caused by mites. While the demodex mite lives on every dog’s skin, it can over-grow and get out of hand, causing pain, swelling, and open wounds. Yet despite its nasty symptoms, demodex mange is easily treated, and Urchin responded well to his new routine of antibiotics and twice-weekly baths with medicated shampoo.
Due to his condition, Urchin wasn’t able to be fostered, but he was relaxed and calm in kennels and soon on the mend. Within two weeks, there was a huge improvement in his skin and his coat was already growing back. And from there his situation just got better and better.
Urchin's forever home
Just a month after limping through our doors, Urchin was rehomed and settled with new owner Sophie. She says: “He took over the sofa that very evening and went straight to sleep! The best part has been how loving he is and how good natured he is with other people and dogs.
“He’s a very affectionate and happy dog and we love him to bits! In the last few months we have been able to take him off-lead in the park which was a big milestone. We never thought we’d get to that point, but we took our time building a bond and this paid off. He now loves nothing better than running around the park with his doggy friends – in fact, he’s a bit of a show off, running them with his lurcher speediness!
“Urchin has made our life much more interesting and our house is now a home. We were very lucky to find him and, at times, we have to pinch ourselves because we have the best dog in the world.”
We can't help pets like Urchin without supporters like you
Sadly, we're seeing nearly 50% more strays as the cost of living crisis continues. Can you give more pets like Urchin the care they so desperately need?
Give dogs like Urchin a new life by adopting a dog or fostering a dog with Woodgreen today.