Hall County Sheriff's Office officials issued a public update Friday night on the health status of a recently-injured K9.
K9 "Timo" was recently hospitalized on Tuesday, July 15 after showing signs of pain and then becoming paralyzed, according to a previous statement by the sheriff's office. He was taken to the University of Georgia's Veterinary Hospital for treatment.
An update issued by the sheriff's office Friday night said that testing at that hospital showed that Timo's condition was not due to an injury, but rather a spinal infection.
"Testing instead showed Timo had discospondylitis, a serious spinal infection. While he did not need surgery, the prognosis for a full recovery was not as promising," the sheriff's office said.
Officials said the dog was treated with antibiotics, but still did not have full movement of his back legs. On Friday, UGA vets reportedly told officials that the infection was caused by a bacteria that had entered the Belgian Malinois' bloodstream and settled in his spine.
"Antibiotics continue to work slowly but surely," officials said. "Timo is moving better with the assistance of his harness. Ultrasounds of his heart and prostate came back with normal readings. Timo has a long road to recovery, but he is fighting to get better!"
The sheriff's office added that while it has a veterinary budget for its K9s, the Georgia Police K9 Foundation has agreed to cover Timo's treatment costs, which are estimated at between 5 and $7 thousand.
Officials also confirmed that Timo, who was set to retire within weeks of his illness, has now been retired and is being adopted by his handler's family.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2025/7/1293462/hall-officials-update-status-of-injured-sheriffs-office-k9