Rescue

Mamacita was surrendered into the care of Muddy Paws Rescue when her previous family was no longer able to care for her. They felt they didn’t have enough time to give Mamacita the attention she deserved.

Upon intake, Mamacita weighed over 70 pounds and was having difficulty walking. She was immediately seen by the medical team to get a full picture of her health.

Vet Visit

During her first vet visit, Mamacita tested positive for anaplasmosis, a tick-borne illness that can cause fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, joint pain, and lameness.

She was also diagnosed with Cushing’s disease, a condition in which the adrenal glands overproduce cortisol, leading to increased thirst, urination, appetite, and a potbellied appearance. She began treatment for anaplasmosis, Cushing’s, and joint pain, along with a weight loss plan.

Several months later, Mamacita began to struggle more with mobility—eventually becoming uninterested and unable to move. Her appetite decreased, and blood was found in her stool. She was hospitalized at Animal Medical Center, where she was diagnosed with iatrogenic Addison’s disease—a serious but reversible complication of Cushing’s treatment. This condition occurs when the adrenal glands don’t produce enough hormones, typically as a result of medical intervention.

Her doctors started her on hormone replacement injections called desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP) to manage the condition. She also required bloodwork every three weeks and daily prednisone as part of her ongoing treatment.

Over the last several weeks, Mamacita’s medications have continued to be adjusted based on her symptoms. Overall, she’s doing an incredible job and has even lost some weight! She’s moving around more easily and clearly feeling so much better. She will require daily medication and lifelong care, which comes at a high cost and presents a challenge for adoption.

Muddy Paws Rescue shared that Mamacita is the perfect “land manatee,” reminding everyone it’s okay not to be in a hurry. She loves being out in the world—so much so that she’ll bark into the air as if to say “hello, world!” while strolling down the sidewalk. She adores meeting everyone, including people, kids, dogs, cats, and will even approach pigeons to see what they’re up to. She has a spring in her step when heading out for a walk but slows dramatically if it seems like the walk is ending. She’s even been known to stall by making friends with people at outdoor cafés.

• Category: 1510Dog, Adopted, Fully Funded