Meet Yeti

November 19, 2024

Yeti had his freedom ride from the shelter and headed straight to Riverside Vet for his initial exam. Let’s just say, he’s already made quite the impression.

First things first: Yeti is officially the smelliest dog we’ve ever rescued. We thought Frank’s street odor was bad, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the smells coming from this big guy.🤢 His coat tells the story of a life spent entirely outdoors. Despite this rough start, Yeti is gentle, affectionate, and incredibly trusting of humans.

At his exam, the vet confirmed that Yeti has a double ear infection, which wasn’t surprising given how filthy his coat is. There’s also an area of alopecia on his side that doesn’t appear to be infected with yeast or bacteria, but we will monitor it closely. His teeth are in rough shape as well. The vet noted that Yeti’s front teeth are severely worn down, and he has a couple of broken teeth with exposed nerves. He will need extractions at a later date, and we will provide an estimate for that procedure at a later time.

More concerning, though, are his two injured legs, with the right one appearing more lame than the left. The vets agree it’s likely a CCL tear that will require TPLO surgery to help Yeti regain full mobility.

Yeti is also intact, but not for long! His neuter is already scheduled for tomorrow 11/20/24, and while he’s under sedation, the vets will perform x-rays of his legs to confirm the extent of his injuries. These x-rays are not included in tomorrow’s estimate, but they are critical for determining his next steps.

Yeti’s journey with Dog Squad began with a life-changing freedom ride— and what a transformation he’s had in just one day!

Yeti is a 2.5-year-old intact Great Pyrenees who arrived at Greenville County Animal Care (GCAC) as a stray from Spartanburg County. Initially, shelter staff suspected he’d been hit by a car due to his inability to walk. But after regaining mobility, it was determined he suffered a CCL tear. 

When Yeti came to us, the poor guy smelled like he’d rolled through a dumpster of… well, let’s just say it was bad—worse than words can describe. His coat was packed with filth, tangled, and matted into fece-jammed dreadlocks.

After meeting Dr. Alexander at Riverside Vet, Yeti was started on medications for pain and a double ear infection. We scheduled him for neuter surgery today, with plans to also take X-rays to prepare for a future TPLO surgery while he was under sedation.

But before any surgery, Yeti needed serious help with his hygiene. That’s where Stephanie from Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming Greenville stepped in. After 4 hours of bathing, brushing, and TLC—long after the business closed for the night—Yeti was a new dog by 10 PM. His fur is now soft, clean, and white again, and we even got to see his tail wag for the first time!

Unfortunately, Yeti started showing a light cough last night that did not improve by morning. To be cautious, Dr. Alexander postponed his neuter surgery and started him on antibiotics for an upper respiratory infection. Bloodwork also revealed low red blood cells and elevated eosinophils, so we’re treating him for potential parasites as well. His neuter is now rescheduled for Tuesday, December 3, 2024.

Since surgery was off the table today, we treated Yeti to a Puppuccino from Starbucks—and it’s safe to say he approved!

Tuesday November 26, 2024

Today marks 1 week since we pulled Yeti off the euthanasia list at GCAC, and what a whirlwind of an emotional week it has been.

Last Tuesday night, Yeti began showing signs of a mild cough. We immediately started him on Doxycycline the next day, hoping early treatment would prevent any serious complications.

By Friday, Yeti’s condition had worsened. His cough became more persistent, and he lost his appetite, which set his stomach up for trouble with his antibiotics. That night, he vomited, likely from taking his meds on an empty stomach. By Saturday morning, his condition took a sharp turn for the worse. His cough was alarming, almost as though he was struggling to breathe, and green discharge dripped from his nose. Following Dr. Price’s recommendation, we rushed him to the ER.

What we learned at VEG was devastating. Yeti had aspirated into both lungs. For those unfamiliar, aspiration occurs when food, liquid, or vomit accidentally enters the lungs instead of the stomach. This can lead to aspiration pneumonia, a life-threatening condition with a poor prognosis, even with treatment. We believe Yeti aspirated after vomiting on Friday night, and it was further complicated by what may have been an underlying case of pneumonia from his time in the shelter.

Yeti was admitted to ICU from Saturday through Monday night, receiving constant monitoring, oxygen therapy, medications, and supportive care. Thanks to the incredible team of veterinary professionals, Yeti’s life was saved. Their dedication and compassion for their patients were evident in every interaction, and we are endlessly grateful for their efforts.

We also want to thank every single person who donated to Yeti’s care. From the rescue community to Aguyandagolden and beyond, your support truly saved his life.

For now, Yeti will recover in our home, quarantined from the other animals. Once he’s stable enough, he will transition into his foster home. Yeti has a long road ahead—his recovery from aspiration pneumonia will take weeks. 

His next chest X-rays are scheduled for 12/3, and his care includes round-the-clock medications, small meals every 4-6 hours, and nebulizer treatments 3-4 times a day. 

When Yeti is fully recovered, we’ll proceed with his neuter and TPLO surgery to address his orthopedic needs. His journey is a marathon, not a sprint, and we’ll be there for him every step of the way.

Thank you for standing by Yeti and helping us give him the second chance he so desperately deserves.