Austin Bell

Paul Bruce with Princess in April 2007.

By Paul Bruce

What a difference a year makes.

You may remember Princess (photo at right) from a story last year about veterinary clinics The HSUS held on California’s Hoopa Valley Reservation. 

Then known as Rural Area Veterinary Services, the program now called Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association is still providing free spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinations, and medical care for countless animals in some of the poorest rural communities in the United States and the world.

While much of the HSVMA clinic work falls under the category of “routine,” every now and then a special case requires a bit of extra effort, care, and compassion.

Ravaged by Mange

When Princess, an 8-year-old shepherd cross, first visited the HSVMA clinic early in 2007, she was a pretty miserable girl. She and her 6-month-old pup were suffering the ravages of demodectic mange. While the pup was just beginning to show symptoms, Princess herself was thin, itchy and practically hairless. To make matters worse, she also had a serious case of heartworm disease.

Despite her poor health, Princess had a gentle, dignified manner that tugged at the heartstrings of the entire clinic staff. She was treated, and her caregivers were given medications and detailed instructions about how to care for her throughout the course of what would be a long recovery.

All the HSVMA staff could do now was wait, worry, and wonder. Would she survive the heartworms? Would she get all her medications? Would she be OK?

A Year Later

Upon returning to the Hoopa Valley Reservation in March of this year, the HSVMA staff finally got their answers when I visited Princess at her home. I was really nervous and excited to see her. I had heard she was doing well, but I couldn’t wait to see for myself.

The transformation was amazing. Princess now sports the most beautiful golden coat, and there were hardly any signs of the disease that had so thoroughly ravaged her the year before. She came running out to greet us, barking her head off. When she saw my yellow vest, she suddenly stopped and began wagging her tail. I know she remembered me.

Princess had made a remarkable recovery. She will receive a new course of medication to make sure the mange doesn’t return, but her prognosis looks very good. It’s because of patients like Princess that I know HSVMA makes a real difference in the world.

Paul Bruce, RVT, is in The HSUS’s West Coast Regional Office.

The HSUS/Paul Bruce

A year after treatment, Princess looks great!

The HSUS/Joe Lemieux

A healthy Princess greets Paul Bruce.