Mange-Stricken Dog on the Mend After Love and Care from Animal Rescue

Photo 1: Asher when he arrived at Wags 2 Wishes. Photo 2: Asher and a friend. Photo 3: Asher and his heartworm-positive friend. Photo 4: Asher and his brother. Photo 5: Asher’s hair is starting to grow back. Photos courtesy of Terry Crotty.

PLAINFIELD, IL — When Wags 2 Wishes picked up Asher, he was scared and shaking. He had practically no fur and his tail was constantly tucked between his legs.

The 7-month-old pitbull mix and his brother, Winston, had been dropped off at Kane County Animal Control from an owner who had neglected the dogs and didn’t want them anymore, according to Wags 2 Wishes Founder Terry Crotty.

Crotty said she became aware of the dogs after she was tagged in a Facebook post for Asher and his brother, but she was only able to take one. Players for Pits took Winston, who has the same condition.

While Asher may look bad, his condition is not as grievous as it seems. He has demodex, which is a non-contagious form of mange. It is the result of poor nutrition, stress and poor care.

“It’s our understanding that the dogs were just kept outside,” Crotty said. “It was a litter of puppies that (the owner) was just giving away and we don’t know how many other dogs were in the litter, but these two he brought to Kane County Animal Control.”

Asher will be on antibiotics for a few weeks and given a one-time dose of Bravecto, which is used to treat mange.

“We’re giving oatmeal baths and we’re rubbing this special lotion for bad skin on him,” Crotty said. “They’re very itchy and they’re infected. So that’s why they look so swollen and red and wrinkly. That’s all from the infection.”

It appears the rescue’s care is working as Asher is on the mend, according to Crotty. He’s friendly and not as scared. His hair is even starting to grow back.

“He is so sweet. He’s perked up,” Crotty said. “He’s hanging out with another dog that we got in from Joliet Township that was heartworm positive.”

Donations are being taken to help care for Asher, which could end up costing thousands of dollars. But all money given to Wags 2 Wishes is used to help a variety of animals in need.

“As bad as Asher looks, he’s not the worst case in our rescue,” Crotty said. “We have a gunshot dog who was shot in the leg, we have a dog who is heartworm positive, we also have a dog who has no use of her back legs that we got when she was seven weeks old and now she’s about six months old.”

Once Asher is cleared medically, he will be up for adoption. Crotty expects that to happen in around two months.

Wags 2 Wishes is located at 23907 W. Industrial Dr N. in Plainfield. It can be reached at 815-254-3110.