Georgia: Abandoned Shih Tzu was so matted you couldn't even tell he was a dog. His life has been saved, but his leg had to be amputated

GEORGIA -- Peter Pan the Shih Tzu dog was wandering the streets of Stone Mountain with severely matted fur, and while LifeLine DCAS was able to save him, the dog must have a front leg amputated.

Peter Pan's fur was so matted that the shelter veterinarian determined it had cut off circulation to his front leg for too long, and that amputation was the only option.

The Shih Tzu was picked up by DeKalb County Animal Services Enforcement and taken to LifeLine Animal Project’s DeKalb County Animal Services (DCAS) shelter.

Peter Pan is undergoing treatment with antibiotics to clear up the infections, caused by lack of grooming prior to the amputation surgery, which will be performed on Monday at the shelter’s clinic.  This case is being investigated to see if an owner can be located.

“This situation just underscores how important proper grooming is,” says LifeLine’s DCAS Shelter Director Kerry Moyers-Horton. “Most people think that grooming is purely for cosmetic reasons, but lack of grooming can cause fur mats which can cause sores, pain and, in this case loss of a limb, so it’s important to groom pets regularly.”

After surgery Peter Pan will go to rehabilitative care to heal before he is ready for adoption.

(Fox5Atlanta - May 18, 2017)