Rescue takes in neglected husky who “turned to stone” after severe mite infection

A shelter was left in shock after taking in a husky who was in terrible shape, having “turned to stone” after being “eaten alive” by mites.

But after being neglected for too long, this dog is getting the love and care he needs.

According to a Facebook post, Stray Rescue of St. Louis took in a husky who had been discovered by some Good Samaritans. The dog was in horrible condition and desperately needed emergency care.

The dog, now named Lycan, was covered in scabies mites. It’s likely that he had been affected by them for months without any treatment or care, and the rescue said that the bugs had been “eating him alive.”

Dogs are allergic to these types of mites, the rescue wrote, so the poor dog had been suffering from constant pain and severe itching. It was so bad that the husky had lost all of his fur, reduced to infected, stone-like skin.

“Its mind blowing to fathom how long it would take for a beautiful, full-coated Husky to slowly be stripped of his fur by pests,” Stray Rescue of St. Louis wrote. “It’s even more mind blowing to think that someone may have known he was going through this pain all along and chose to do nothing… our hearts break thinking of the endless loneliness and pain this dog has endured.”

The rescue began treatments and medicated baths. Lycan is a very affectionate dog who just wanted to be touched, but the rescuers had to keep their distance for two weeks as scabies is contagious to humans.

“He yearns to be touched, to be near us. He wants to be rubbed, petted… He melts into every loving touch, ensuring you can feel his genuine gratitude when he leans in with all his body weight, begging for the love not to stop. He should never have been so lonely, so hopeless, for so long.”

In an update, the rescue wrote that Lycan was still “miserable” as his treatments continue, but his carers put on gloves to provide some loving pets, which gave him some much-needed respite from his pain.

“He is such a sweet guy and deserves the whole entire world. We know he can beat this infection and heal. He has a wonderful attitude and disposition.”