Featured Image Credit: Woodside Animal Welfare Trust UK
Topics: Animal Cruelty, Animals, Dogs, UK News
Rhiannon Ingle
Topics: Animal Cruelty, Animals, Dogs, UK News
A rescue dog was found to be suffering from alcohol withdrawal in the shelter's 'first ever' case of the sort.
The latest addition to the animal shelter's special care unit, Coco, is going viral for his mysterious health condition.
The animal shelter is working tirelessly to rehabilitate the little chap and shine a light on animal cruelty.
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The Woodside Animal Welfare Trust in Plymouth, UK, first posted about the dog on their official Facebook page last week (4 April).
A photo of the little pooch looking adoringly at a red and yellow ball has melted hearts all over - but it was the caption that really tugged on people's heartstrings.
The long text post began: "Canine alcohol withdrawal, a first for us."
It continued to introduce little Coco, a 'lovely boy' who was the 'newest member of Dunroamin Special Care Unit'.
"Coco has been with us for over a month, having required intensive care since arriving," the post revealed. "His story is a tragic one and evidences how vital our special care unit is."
The pup had ended up arriving at the unit with his 'canine pal' after his owner died and the two dogs 'became quickly unwell'.
Brace yourselves for this next bit.
The caption went on: "Thankfully a vet was on site at the time and was able to administer emergency care but sadly Coco's friend passed away despite our best efforts."
Coco wasn't showing signs of any improvement and was 'seriously unwell' requiring 'round the clock care'.
The shelter went on to diagnose Coco's condition, writing: "It became clear that he was suffering from symptoms that all pointed to alcohol withdrawal."
The little guy went on to spend 'four weeks sedated' to help with his withdrawal symptoms and to 'reduce the risk of further fits'.
"We are so thankful that we are now out of danger and Coco is off all medication and is now starting to behave like a normal dog," the shelter wrote.
While Coco is 'not yet ready for adoption', people will be glad to know that 'physically he seems to have recovered'.
However, the animal shelter states that 'mentally he is still very anxious at times'.
The Woodside Animal Welfare Trust concluded the post with: "No-one knows the specifics on how these dogs got into the situation with alcohol but we do know that without our care Coco would likely have not survived this heart breaking ordeal."
People can find out more or donate to the animal shelter here.