Dog That Had Mouth Taped Shut Making 'Miraculous Recovery' After Surgery
The tape was wound so tightly it cut off blood supply, her vet said.
— -- A 15-month-old dog recently found with her muzzle taped shut in North Charleston, South Carolina, is making a "miraculous recovery" after surgery today, according to Charleston Animal Society.
The Staffordshire terrier mix named Caitlyn was found last Wednesday morning on the porch of a local resident, who dialed 911 after seeing the pooch, said Aldwin Roman of Charleston Animal Society. Roman, who directs anti-cruelty outreach at the center, told ABC News today he was on the scene with police responding to the 911 call.
"This is the most malicious case of animal abuse I have seen in my entire career," Roman wrote on Facebook. "To leave this dog in pain, unable to eat or drink and to now leave her in the position where her life is at stake because she may lose her tongue is heartbreaking."
Caitlyn's tongue was a solid black color, and her lip and mouth area was "cartoonishly swollen" because the electrical tape was wound so tightly, Dr. Lucy Fuller told ABC News today, adding that it appeared the muzzle had been taped on approximately 24 to 26 hours before. Fuller is Caitlyn's primary physician, and she directs veterinary care at Charleston Animal Society.
"The electrical tape was so tight that it cut off blood flow to her nose," Fuller said. "And without blood, the tissue there didn't get enough oxygen. Those cells go into shock, so they slow down, stop and eventually die. We were hoping to treat her before the actual death of the cells."
For the past week, Caitlyn has been receiving hyperbaric oxygen chamber treatment and laser treatments that promote healing by increasing oxygen in cells, Fuller said. Caitlyn also received cosmetic surgery today to fix the swollen folds on the side of her face, Fuller added.
Thanks to the medical treatment, Caitlyn's prognosis now looks good, Charleston Animal Society spokesman Kay Hyman told ABC News.
"She just came out of surgery, which took about two hours -- a little longer than expected -- but she's doing so well," Hyman said. "Even though her tongue now looks like a maple leaf, we don't think she'll lose any more of it. She's making a miraculous recovery, especially thinking about how far she's come in just a week."
Caitlyn's apparent owner, William Dodson, was arrested by North Charleston police on Monday and is facing a charge of cruelty to animals, in addition to separate gun and drug charges, according to court records.
Dodson is currently in Charleston County Detention Center, where he is being held on a $50,000 bond, according to booking records online.
A clerk for Charleston County Court told ABC News today it's unclear whether Dodson has a lawyer. His next appearance in court is set for Oct. 9, according to court records online.
