Emaciated dog 'Spartan' critical but walking and talking, rescue says

DENVER – The badly emaciated dog surrendered to a local rescue last week remains critical and volunteers think they know what’s wrong with him.

“The foreign object [inside Spartan] is difficult to identify, but appears to be a type of thick, waxy plastic bag that had wadded up into a ball,” a volunteer with Ho-Bo Care Rescue told Denver7 Wednesday.

Caregivers on Tuesday said Spartan had to undergo surgery to have the obstruction removed from his bowels.

The surgery is risky due to the dog's emaciated state, and volunteers say they're praying to see the dog through the event. 

Volunteers also said Wednesday Spartan was walking and “talking” for his favorite volunteer when she came to see him.

A feeding tube will remain in for two weeks to get him consistently eating again. However, Spartan has made attempts to eat on his own, according to volunteers.

His vitals are being closely monitored and he is expected to remain in the hospital until at least Sunday. 

The dog was given the name Spartan by Ho-Bo Care rescue in Denver after its owners gave him up, claiming he had been sick and they couldn't afford medical bills. 

Volunteers say they're concerned the dog wasn't just sick, but neglected by owners. They say he could potentially have been starving for weeks or a month. 

Ho-Bo Care Boxer Rescue is asking that you make a donation if you want to help them out with Spartan's care.