Dog saved lives in Venezuela. Two months later, nobody knows what's wrong

Um dog of the labrador race who participated in rescue missions carried out in Venezuela, after the double earthquake that killed at least 6,509 people, on June 24, fell ill about 48 hours after returning home in Valencia, Spain. Two months later, veterinarians have not yet been able to diagnose Quino, whose state of health continues to deteriorate.

The patient, who was part of the contingent of firefighters and rescue dogs from the NGO Intervention, Aid and Emergencies (IAE) in Algemesí, Valencia, spent a week trying to find missing and in trouble in the aftermath of the natural catastrophe. About three days after the team returned home, Quino became ill.

“ He started bleeding a lot from the nose; we took him to the veterinarian and they are giving him transfusions to stabilize him but, after a few days, he bleeds again,” fireman Moses Benlloch told Telecinco.

In the last two months, the health status of Quino worsened. In fact, the vets haven't diagnosed the big guy yet.

“Various veterinarians examined him; we also contacted specialists from the University of CEU, where they did numerous tests and collected samples that were sent to the University of Barcelona for analysis but, in the end, could not find anything. We've been told they can't do anything anymore and now we're trying to get vets from the Catholic University. [...] Until they find out what's going on with him, they can't give him a solution and we can't know if it's related to something he might have contracted in Venezuela ", he added.

He pointed out that, “in general, the working areas are usually controlled, but there may always be some circumstances that cannot be taken into account or that go unnoticed”. 

While rescuers are waiting for a solution, the fireman who's been working with Quino since he was a dog hasn't moved away from him.

“It’s a dog with great potential. We hope you will soon find out what is going on with him, because he is in one of his best moments to work in emergency situations and help us rescue more people,” Pancho Gerber said.

The double earthquake of June 24 caused serious damage to infrastructure, wounded and fatalities in seven states of Venezuela, Caracas, Miranda, Aragua, Carabobo, Lara, Yaracuy and La Guaira, the latter the most affected.

According to the latest updated report released by the authorities, 6,509 people died and 226,696 injured were assisted in Venezuelan hospitals. There are at least 138 Portuguese and Portuguese victims.