In late January 2025, a passer-by discovered a pet carrier on the street in Savannah, Georgia, USA. It wasn't empty. Inside, a tiny puppy was shivering from the cold, having been cruelly abandoned.
As if the freezing temperatures and icy conditions weren't enough of a threat to the poor puppy's survival, there was something even worse. The little animal was clearly suffering from an illness that required urgent veterinary care.
He was taken in by the Renegade Paws Rescue charity. The team named him "Alvin the Chipmunk" and rushed him to a local veterinary clinic to diagnose his condition.
A terrible illness
Alvin's face was shockingly swollen. Sadly, he was suffering from a rare disease that particularly affects puppies between three weeks and three months old, and generally spares adult dogs. The skin condition causes swelling of the head and can also lead to a massive swelling of the submandibular lymph nodes.
Known as juvenile cellulitis (or pyogranulomatous dermatitis), this condition also causes painful lesions and pustules. In the most severe cases, it can lead to what is known as 'hippo face', causing life-threatening breathing difficulties and lethargy. Sadly, this was the case for poor Alvin.
A remarkable recovery
Despite the significant challenges of Alvin's case, the charity refused to give up on him. Thanks to a fundraiser, the little dog received the best possible care. And it paid off. A few weeks later, Alvin was happily back on his paws.
Even better, he has now found his forever family! It's a fresh start that no one thought possible for a dog with such a difficult past.
