4.6lb Emaciated Dog Makes Full Recovery, Finds Forever Home!

The rise in emaciated dogs entering the Hamilton County shelter keeps medical and community support staff busy providing care and resources.
At Cincinnati Animal CARE, we’ve seen a heartbreaking rise in malnourished animals coming through our doors, many of them emaciated and in desperate need of help. Luckily, we have one of the best veterinary medical teams to provide the care and support these animals need to recover and find loving homes. One of our recent success stories is Chesapeak, an emaciated dog who came to us weighing just 4.6 pounds—severely underweight even for a small breed.
How CAC’s Medical Team cares for Emaciated Animals
When Chesapeak arrived, our medical team quickly assessed his condition, finding him to be less than a 1 on the Purina Body Condition Score (BCS) scale. This scale, used to assess a pet’s weight, ranks from 1 (dangerously thin) to 9 (overweight). Chesapeak’s emaciated state required immediate attention, and we implemented a careful refeeding plan.
“If they’re so skinny we’re worried they haven’t had any nutrition in a long time, we have to be careful about refeeding them because it can make them sicker,” said CAC Medical Director Amanda Gilbert.” If they’re not eating on their own, we administer a feeding tube to calculate the amount of food they’re getting and make sure we’re feeding them appropriately and slowly over time.”
Chesapeak’s Journey
Chesapeak’s condition was more complex than just being emaciated. He also suffered from severe matting, had open wounds filled with maggots, and couldn’t stand or lift his head. His blood sugar was dangerously low, and he required intensive care, including strong antibiotics, parasite treatment, and two blood transfusions because his emaciated state had left him severely anemic.
Once stabilized, Chesapeak underwent physical therapy to regain mobility in his hind legs, which had contracted from months of being in such poor condition. With the help of a wheelchair, he began to move again, and he received foster care from our Medical Director, Amanda Gilbert, for nearly a month.
Finding Forever
The best part of Chesapeak’s story? He found his forever home on October 3, 2024. He was adopted by a family that had already given a home to another CAC alum, Coco, who was also emaciated when she arrived at the shelter in 2022. Chesapeak and Coco are now living their best lives, full of love, care, and plenty of food!

CAC is a Shelter AND Resource Center!
At Cincinnati Animal CARE, we don’t just save animals—we also serve as a resource for the community, providing food assistance and limited medical care for those in need. Our Community Support Manager, Kelly Sauer, is passionate about providing resources to those who need it most.
“If you find yourself in a situation where you’re having to make decisions about feeding your kids dinner or feeding your dog dinner – feed your kids,” said Sauer. “And then come to us because we can help provide that food for you.”
At CAC, we are a judgment-free zone. We have a pet food pantry open 7 days a week from 1-5:30pm at 3949 Colerain Avenue in Northside. If you’re in need, please stop by! We do not ask for proof of income or ID and you’re welcome to whatever we have in stock.
“Our goal here is not to get people in trouble,” said Sauer. “Our goal here is to help people when they need it.”
Another resource we can provide is medical care. We are NOT an emergency hospital or a drop-in vet clinic, but we do have a Case Coordinator at Cincinnati Animal CARE who can work with you to get your pet seen by our medical team. All you have to do is reach out and ask for help by emailing our Case Coordinator at t.cook@cincycare.org, calling (513) 541-7387 at extension 115, or coming to 3949 Colerain Avenue in Northside any day of the week between 1-5:30pm.
“Please understand that things may look bad, things may look bleak – but we are in your corner to help,” says Sauer. So if you’re struggling to care for your pets, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help.
If you’re in a position to donate to our pantry, please shop our Community Support Amazon wishlist here.