But when veterinarians took a closer look at the small dog, they realized that the “dirt” was actually masses of tiny fleas.
With more than 100,000 fleas feasting on its blood, Rascal arrived at the Island Veterinarian Hospital in critical distress.
“When the fleas drink the blood and they go to the bathroom, they’re basically excreting digested blood,” Langelier said.
The Nanaimo SPCA gave the Island Veterinarian Hospital a choice: they could either euthanize the infested dog or give it an emergency blood transfusion.
The dog was immediately brought to the clinic to provide blood for Rascal in a procedure that lasted four hours.
On Tuesday, the small terrier was even given the opportunity to meet the dog that gave the life-saving transfusion.
As the two dogs played, the clinic staff shared some more good news – Rascal is expected to make a full recovery. »