A Bulldog left to go blind and allowed to live untreated with an agonising skin condition, has been taken into a Co Derry rescue to help her back to health.
Lilly is just four years old but looks much older due to her poor physical condition.
The team at Causeway Coast Dog Rescue have taken responsibility for her and are working to help rehabilitate her back to full health.
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But with financial pressures mounting, they are desperate for help. Maggie Dimsdale Bobby of Causeway Coast Dog Rescue, who has been rehoming dogs since the 1970s, says it has been heartbreaking to discover how poorly Lilly is.
She said: "At the moment to most people she just looks like a mess because she has been so badly neglected for such a long time. She's just four years old and should be in the prime of her life but she is dealing with just feeling better day to day.
"Despite what she has been through Lilly is the most gentle soul who is happy to be with humans and amongst other dogs. She is tolerating her skin bathing every day in special solutions to help her heal, and she is eating well now.
"This poor girl came to us in a very fragile state. Through no fault of her own she has a chronic skin infection which has been left untreated. She is now also partially blind in one eye and requires a lot of ongoing treatment to help her get better.
" Lilly has daily medication, followed by regular bathing and medicated cream and we will continue this regular treatment with Lilly until we get her back to full health.
"Lilly also requires hypoallergenic food which will help with her skin. This poor girl is an absolute pleasure to be with everyday considering the pain and discomfort she's in at the moment.
" She loves the company and her food of course and we are so relieved and happy to have helped her out of the situation she was in because she was never going to get better on her own.
"But we need help. Now that Lilly is going to be on long-term treatment we are going to need help to pay towards her treatment.
" If you can help in any way no matter how small, please donate to help her. She is just the best dog and brings joy to everyone who meets her. On behalf of Lilly and the Causeway Coast Dog Rescue team, thank you for your support, if you wish to donate, click here and follow the link or call us 07595 602702."
If you would like to help Lilly or any other dogs in the care of CCDR, click here.
Bulldogs are known for having the potential for skin problems so their regular care is essential. Signs of this condition may include:
- Severe itching, licking, chewing and scratching
- Hair loss, partial or complete
- Hyperpigmentation where the skin darkens
- Scaling of the skin
- Skin lesions on eyelids, flexural surfaces over ankles and knees and the 'armpit' area
- Superficial sores, very common in skin folds and wrinkles
- Secondary infection
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