Starving Dog Ate Anything She Could To Stay Alive After Cruel Abandonment

Imagine coming across a helpless dog curled up inside a small kennel on a freezing February day. That was the harsh reality for Prima, who was abandoned by her owners during the winter of 2023.

This poor girl was severely underweight and scavenged for anything edible just to survive, pushing her to the brink of death.

When rescuers found Prima, she was just days away from a critical point. Her condition was far worse than initially thought, and urgent medical care was her only chance.

Found in Dire Condition

Jannel and Robby, volunteers from Houston, Texas, discovered Prima during their routine walk through a local park, where they regularly provided food to abandoned animals. She was lying inside one of the “houses” set up by Corridor Rescue to shelter stray animals in winter.

Upon closer inspection, Jannel realized Prima wasn’t an ordinary stray. Her stomach was swollen, and she barely had strength to move. They knew immediate action was needed.

Approaching her kennel, they saw just how thin Prima was—her spine protruded sharply, and her bloated belly was likely caused by advanced heartworm disease. The volunteers offered her food and water, which she accepted cautiously.

“This girl was so starved that after being dumped, she ate anything she found and just kept eating,” Corridor Rescue shared in a Facebook post.

Knowing Prima’s survival chances were slim on her own, the volunteers quickly contacted Corridor Rescue, who agreed to take her in.

“I was stunned when she stepped out. She was so emaciated with an enormous belly. I started calling for help immediately because she needed rescue right away,” Jannel wrote on Facebook.

Eventually, they managed to coax Prima out and carefully placed her in their vehicle. During the trip, she completely gave in—though scared and distrustful of humans, it seemed she sensed her rescuers meant no harm.

Defying the Odds

At the veterinary clinic, Prima was diagnosed with advanced heartworm disease. Sadly, the worms had migrated to her pulmonary artery, making surgical removal nearly impossible.

She was initially considered a hospice case, with the rescue’s main goal to place her in a loving foster home where she could be comfortable and safe.

Prima’s past was filled with neglect and pain. Though her history remains unknown, it was clear she was cruelly abandoned and mistreated, leaving her with deep emotional scars.

In addition to her physical ailments, Prima struggled to adjust to new surroundings and people due to severe trauma.

After thorough evaluation, vets decided her best hope was an aggressive heartworm treatment involving a series of injections spread over several months.

This was her final chance to survive, and the rescue team was determined to give her every opportunity. Alongside the treatment, she received fluids, was fed frequently, and given antibiotics to support her recovery.

As treatment progressed, Prima began to show improvement. Miraculously, her swollen belly started to shrink, and she grew visibly healthier. Against all odds, she fought through, as the heartworms gradually disappeared from her body.

“She refused to let her past define her. This little miracle wasn’t going to be held back by the word hospice anymore,” the rescue shared on Facebook.

A Miraculous Transformation

After a grueling treatment period in Texas, Prima started to feel like herself again and began an incredible journey in her foster home.

She slowly came out of her shell, socializing happily with other dogs, embracing her second chance at life. After all she’d endured, it was finally time for her to thrive.

Within just a few months, Prima was unrecognizable from the dog she once was. She blossomed into a loving and playful companion who cherished every moment of her new life.

According to her foster caregivers, Prima is a true sweetheart. She loves cuddling with her foster siblings, and it’s nearly impossible to capture a still photo of her unless she’s asleep.

Once considered a hospice patient, Prima was now ready to be adopted and start fresh. Soon enough, her forever family came into her life.

She found a wonderful home filled with love, where she continues to flourish. Prima greets each day as a brand-new adventure.

Thanks to the dedication and big hearts of her rescuers who never gave up on her, Prima now has a bright future ahead.