Oklahoma French bulldog, starved and shot twice in the head, stands and walks 2 days after rescue

A French bulldog named Mango is showing early signs of recovery after surviving extreme abuse. 

Found starved, shot twice in the head, badly injured, and unable to move after a witness said she was thrown from a vehicle, Mango stood up and walked just two days after being rescued.

Here's what to know

In August, rescuers in the Oklahoma City metro found Mango after a witness said she had been thrown from a vehicle, News 9 reported. 

At Neel Veterinary Hospital, where Mango was taken after the rescue, staff discovered two gunshot wounds to her head. Misty Wilson, a registered veterinary technician with 25 years of experience and founder of the nonprofit Angel Fund OKC, said Mango's healthy weight should have been about 26 to 27 pounds. At the time, the dog weighed about 12 pounds.

Even with those injuries, Mango was able to stand and walk within 48 hours of arriving in care. Rescuers said she had road rash and other injuries consistent with being tossed from a vehicle, while the gunshots damaged her nasal and sinus passages and left fractures in her skull, eye socket, and jaw.

"She looks so bad to the outside, but I think with a few months of TLC, we'll get her there," a member of Mango's veterinary team said.

More background

According to Angel Fund OKC, Mango had almost no muscle mass, and her severe malnutrition pointed to prolonged suffering before she was rescued.

Caregivers said they are raising her food intake gradually to avoid refeeding syndrome, a potentially life-threatening imbalance of fluids and electrolytes that can happen when a starved animal gets too much food too quickly.

Mango's weakness has also delayed fuller treatment of her facial injuries. Veterinarians cannot safely sedate or anesthetize her yet to fully assess or repair the fractures. Until then, the team is concentrating on pain control, nutrition, and helping her build enough strength for the next stage of treatment.

What's being done?

Angel Fund OKC expects Mango to begin physical rehabilitation to rebuild muscle and improve her foot placement and body awareness. As she gets stronger, her treatment may also expand to include electrical muscle stimulation and water therapy.

The nonprofit is also working to identify who hurt her. It said police were contacted, though no suspect or arrest has been announced publicly.

Volunteers are asking anyone who witnessed the incident, saw a suspicious vehicle in the Oklahoma City metro, or recognizes Mango to call Angel Fund OKC at (405) 461-0906.

They are also seeking information about Mango's former owner or veterinary history, and even a minor detail could help piece together what happened.

"This is not going to be a quick recovery," Angel Fund OKC said. "We are looking at months of medical care, rehabilitation, and healing."

Where can I learn more?

Mango's story echoes several dog rescue cases in which severe abuse, hidden injuries, and long recoveries were only the start of the fight. Veterinary care and rehabilitation helped move them toward recovery.

• Harlingen authorities found a German shepherd with severe facial injuries, no food, and green water.

• Abandoned under a fake name, Olive carried a wound beneath duct tape before training to comfort children.

• A three-legged rescue dog named Birdie chased waves for the first time during a joyful milestone.

Each of these stories shows how much quick intervention and steady rehabilitation can improve an animal's outlook.

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