When ASPCA volunteer Sarina T. and her boyfriend Alex S. decided to foster a pit bull puppy named Flora, they knew little about the young dog’s background, except that she had a heart infection, which was being treated with antibiotics.

“She has some scars and patches without hair, but beyond that you would never know she was anything but a healthy puppy,” recalls Sarina.

Just four months earlier, on November 14, Flora arrived at a New York City veterinary hospital with her previous owner who reported a wound on one of her back feet.

But emergency veterinarians could immediately see Flora’s condition was far worse. The five-month-old puppy was so emaciated that she looked like a walking skeleton, weighing only 9.9 pounds.

Upon further examination, veterinarians noted Flora’s body temperature was 12 degrees below normal for a dog—90.1 degrees Fahrenheit—and her gums were pale. She had a heart murmur, low blood pressure, a weak pulse and anemia—the result of bleeding ulcers in her gastrointestinal tract. Open wounds on the back of her left heel and a deep, scabbed, chronic wound over the back of her left hip contributed to her blood loss. She was in shock and severely dehydrated, and melena in Flora’s mouth was evidence she had ingested her own feces.  

Initial blood work did not reveal any underlying disease or illness to explain Flora’s emaciated body condition and severely compromised medical condition, but she was so starved that she had used her own fat, muscle and organ tissue for nutritional needs and would have died without urgent medical intervention. 

Flora had pressure sores and chronic wounds, including one on her left heel.

Immediate Care

Veterinarians immediately set about providing aggressive, supportive care that included intravenous fluids, antibiotics and vitamin supplements. They also contacted the NYPD, which launched an investigation. Flora’s owner was eventually arrested and pled guilty to animal cruelty charges.

The next day, Dr. Laura Niestat, an ASPCA Forensic Veterinarian, examined Flora.

“When I met Flora, she could only stand with support,” recalls Dr. Niestat. “I’ve seen many emaciated animals, but Flora was one of the most severe cases ever.”

Careful Re-Feeding 

Flora was fed according to a specific protocol to prevent re-feeding related illness, a potentially fatal complication which can happen if an undernourished animal is overfed immediately following a time of prolonged inadequate nutrition. 

“A dog’s body needs time to transition back to a normal metabolism,” says Dr. Niestat. “The goal during this time is for the dog’s body to ‘relearn’ how to use food.”

Flora’s re-feeding continued over the next two weeks while she remained hospitalized and veterinary staff continued her supportive care.

A Slow Crawl Back to Health

Initially, Flora ate well and slowly improved, but days later, she developed a cough and her condition rapidly deteriorated. She had a fever and was lethargic, refusing to eat. An echocardiogram revealed changes consistent with bacterial endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining and valves of the heart. Additional antibiotics were initiated to treat this infection.

“Flora’s severely compromised health and poor condition contributed to her development of endocarditis,” explains Dr. Niestat.

On November 27, a now 13 lb. Flora was transported to the ASPCA Animal Hospital (AAH) for continued care and monitoring under Dr. Niestat.

Over the next few months, Flora flourished, recording astonishing month-to-month weight gains. Whereas most puppies Flora’s size would experience a six to 13 percent weight gain, Flora’s weight climbed by 86 percent during one period. 

“Flora made up for lost time by gaining weight faster than would be expected,” says Dr. Niestat.  “It really was amazing.”

Finding A Foster

Because Flora’s heart infection required several months of antibiotics, ASPCA staff found her a foster home so she could continue to heal. 

“Flora had come so far, and continued to exceed expectations on her recheck echocardiograms,” explains Dr. Lindsay Thorson, veterinarian and Medical Supervisor of the ASPCA Animal Recovery Center (ARC), where Flora spent more than two months recovering. 

Enter Sarina and Alex, who began fostering Flora in March.

“We were thinking about fitting a dog into our life,” Sarina explains. “We thought fostering would be a good way to try it out.”

Sarina says Flora was cautious around them when they first brought her home. “It’s like she wanted to interact with us but just didn’t know how,” Sarina recalls.

But Flora’s personality and confidence soon blossomed. She made friends with her new neighbors, both animal and human, especially children. “Within a month, she was snuggling up to us—always wanting to be held and sitting on our laps,” says Sarina. 

A Home at Last

At Flora’s re-check on June 6, there was no further sign of endocarditis, revealing a good long-term prognosis, and Sarina and Alex officially adopted her.

Flora eagerly plays with other dogs at her local dog park, trying to get them to chase her. She loves tennis balls and has learned commands like sit, down, roll over, spin, touch and shake. She also likes to look out the windows of her Chelsea home, which overlooks a nearby playground.

“She spends a lot of time observing things,” says Sarina. 

Now a stout 45 lb., Flora is a long way from her cruel past, both physically and emotionally.

“I think it’s incredible that Flora doesn’t have any animosity or distrust,” says Sarina. “She is so sweet and resilient. We’re fortunate to have her in our lives.”

Follow Flora on Instagram: @mm.florasaurus.