Atlanta Boxer Rescue Infirmary Cases
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These are just a few of the Boxers who arrived in especially rough shape and need extra medical attention or more resources than average. While we may not always know exactly what a dog is facing when they arrive at ABR, diagnostics often uncover serious conditions that require extensive care. In some cases, it can cost thousands to save a single life. No matter the case, your support helps us say YES when it matters most!
🟥 Critical Care
Dogs undergoing major surgery, intensive diagnostics, emergency treatment, or unknown medical conditions needing immediate attention.
🟧 Pending Treatment
Dogs who are stable but waiting on significant treatment or prep work. (Heartworm treatment not yet started, surgery pending diagnostics, scheduled procedures)
- Rubi
Rubi has completed her 28-day course of oral doxycycline as the first step in her heartworm treatment and is now scheduled to be spayed and to begin the injections for heartworm treatment. She will have six weeks of crate rest ahead of her.
🟨 In Treatment
Dogs currently undergoing care, mid-way through a protocol. (Heartworm treatment, upper respiratory infections, etc.)
- Lava
After a few days in rescue, Lava has come down with an upper respiratory infection and in addition, she was diagnosed with hookworks that are giving her digestive tract a rough time. She is currently on antibiotics after contracting four different respiratory viruses. - Roxanne
Roxanne is in the early stage of heartworm treatment. she has just finished her 28-day course of doxycycline, but unfortunately has come down with an upper respiratory virus. As soon as she has recovered from that, she will head to the vet for her injections to kill the adult heartworms. Afterwards, she'll be on crate rest for about six weeks as she recovers. After 6 weeks, we will have her spayed and then she will be ready to go as soon as her sutures come out!
🟩 Recovering & Healing
Dogs who have received treatment and are on the mend — still need follow-up care, rest, or medication.
(Post-surgery recovery, healing wounds, ongoing medication or physical therapy)
- Frankie
Frankie did well with his surgery, thanks to our skilled veterinarian! He had three teeth removed and one mast cell tumor. He is at home with his foster family, sleeping off his medication, and we are awaiting the results of his histopathology to see if the margins of his incision are clear. He will be getting soft food and lots of love during his recovery. - Harlow
Harlow's histopath results just came back and the lab said that his shoulder and neck masses had clean margins with no cancer cells seen. The one on the scrotum was a low grade 2 MCT but we got clean margins. He is at home and recovering from surgery and will go back soon to have his sutures removed. - Callie
Callie has early arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) and dilated cardiomyopathy, both of which complicate surgery. The ARVC shows up when her heart is under stress with anesthesia and leads to premature ventricular and atrial contractions. After two aborted surgery attempts and an additional medication, three times was the charm! Our skilled veterinarian removed 3 skin tags from her right lateral thigh, two vulva tumors of large concern, one on the back of neck, a big lipoma, and another suspicious one from the front of the right hock. Callie is now in recovery and her foster will take good care of her while we await histopath results. - Sammie
Sammie's first spay and mass removal surgery was aborted due to serious arrhythmias under anesthesia. She was diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). She's now on antiarrhythmic medication and responding well. A second attempt to spay her and remove a suspected hemangioma was successful and she is in her foster home recovering. - Barney
Barney came to us severely underweight at just 55 pounds, but now weighs a healthy 72. He was treated for heartworm disease, neutered, and recovered from a stroke. He also had several concerning masses removed, and thankfully all were benign. What remains is his early-stage dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), which is well controlled with daily medication, along with some intermittent vertigo from the stroke. Until he's adopted, ABR continues to cover the cost of his care.
🟦 Continuing Expenses
Dogs who have completed treatment but are still incurring costs or had significant bills prior to being medically cleared for adoption. (Regular monitoring, ongoing medication, food, or supplies)
Common Medical Issues in Rescue
We frequently treat dogs for heartworm disease and upper respiratory infections — two of the most common conditions we encounter. Both require extended care and recovery time, and a significant portion of our Infirmary funds go toward managing these cases.
Heartworm Disease
Heartworm disease is transmitted by mosquitoes and often goes unnoticed until it's advanced. Treatment involves a series of injections and strict rest while the worms die off and are absorbed by the body. If a dog is too active during this period, it can lead to pulmonary embolism, which is potentially life-threatening.
Treatment is lengthy and costly, but the disease is completely preventable with a simple monthly medication. Your support helps us provide the treatment these dogs need and the preventatives to keep them healthy going forward.
Upper Respiratory Infections
Upper respiratory infections or "kennel cough" are also extremely common, especially in dogs coming from shelters or overcrowded environments. Symptoms like coughing, sneezing, congestion, and fever can spread quickly in close quarters.
Treatment usually includes rest, antibiotics, and supportive care — but more serious cases may require hospitalization or extended isolation to keep other dogs safe. These aren't glamorous medical cases, but they're some of the most persistent and time-consuming and your donations help us get these dogs back to health and on the road to adoption.
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Thanks to all of you who step forward to help save these sweet babies!
We couldn't do it without you!
*Any funds collected above and beyond an individual dog's vetting expenses will be directed to other ABR dogs in need.