Someone Gave This Puppy Cocaine—Now He’s Deaf, Blind but Still Full of Love
Aurelio, a 6-month-old American Staffordshire Terrier puppy, was born happy and healthy.
His adorable ears perked joyfully at the slightest sounds, his lovely eyes shone bright with amazement as he explored the world, and he played with the vigor of a puppy who believed life would always be all sunshine and rainbows. Aurelio had everything going right for him — no health complications, no trauma, no brokenness, just pure joy — until recently, when his life took a tragic turn at the hands of careless humans. (Watch Video Below)
@mercyfullproject 🌴 TAMPA, FL— Aurelio is the sweetest little bug. He is now only blind in one eye and is partially deaf- as a result of the cocaine ingestion. He has come so far, and he’s beyond ready to love his new forever family with everything he has. Will that be you? 🥹 #adoptme #rescue #disableddog #blinddog #animalrescue #puppy ♬ original sound – MillennialQueen🥀
Aurelio ingested cocaine, and while nobody knows the exact details of how it all happened, what’s clear is that someone exposed this innocent pup to the deadly drug. By the time Aurelio arrived at Mercy Full Project animal rescue in Tampa, FL, he was already showing signs of cocaine poisoning. Sadly, this horrifying ordeal resulted in permanent, life-changing health consequences for Aurelio.
From “Healthy” to “Special Needs”
The cocaine poisoning left Aurelio partially deaf and blind in one eye. What’s more, the drug ravaged his nervous system, causing him to experience chronic seizures. Aurelio also couldn’t stop walking in circles weeks after he was brought to the animal rescue. At only six months old, sweet Aurelio went from fully healthy to relearning how to navigate a world that suddenly went dark and silent.
Truth is, Aurelio’s life hasn’t been rosy ever since he ingested cocaine. But somehow, despite everything he’s been through, Aurelio is still the sweet, loving puppy that he was when he came into this world.
There’s a constant light inside of him that not even cocaine managed to put off. Aurelio still loves and trusts humans wholeheartedly, and it shows in the way he randomly leans in for pets and how he wets your face with kisses the moment he takes over your lap. Aurelio may not be able to see or hear you properly, but he senses even the slightest show of kindness and reciprocates it a hundredfold.
Please Give Aurelio a Forever Home
We may never know the individual responsible for wrecking Aurelio’s body with cocaine, and whether this sweet pup will ever get justice. What we do know, though, is that Aurelio deserves someone who will make his life feel like heaven on earth after the hell he’s been through.
Aurelio is currently yearning for a fresh start in a loving home that will give him the beautiful life that cocaine tried to steal from him. A family that will view his visual and hearing disability as a symbol of resilience, not a burden. A family that will not tire of guiding and supporting him as he gets used to his new reality.
Aurelio would do well in a home with older kids as opposed to small children. He’d also be the happiest if he landed a home with a fenced yard because his playful spirit is still intact, his blindness and deafness notwithstanding.
Aurelio has already put everything that happened behind him; please consider being the next chapter of his story. To adopt Aurelio, learn more here.
Cocaine Poisoning in Dogs FAQs
What Happens If a Dog Eats Cocaine?
According to the Animal Poison Control Center, cocaine interferes with the normal functioning of a dog’s heart and brain. Experts say that cocaine stimulates a dog’s central nervous system and sympathetic nervous system within minutes, leading to increased heart rate, blood vessel constriction, high blood pressure, and cardiac arrhythmias. If your dog is exposed to cocaine, even in small doses, it’s advisable to seek veterinary help immediately.
Cocaine Symptoms in Dogs
Usually, cocaine ingestion in dogs causes a combination of neurological and non-neurological symptoms. A dog on cocaine will exhibit clinical signs such as:
-Muscle tremors
-Hyperactivity
-Hypersalivation
-Dilated pupils
-Excessive painting
-Excessive vocalization
-Restlessness
-Seizures
-Body weakness
-Vomiting
-Lethargy
In some cases, cocaine poisoning in dogs can lead to death.
