Huha agreed to try and help, which was a lot different from its day to day role as an animal shelter, so Tank was flown, courtesy of a kind donation, to Kapiti Coast Airport and picked up by Huha founder Carolyn Press McKenzie.
"Blood oozed out of his legs as I walked him across the car park. I have never seen a dog so close to death," she said.
She took the Dogue de Bordeaux straight to the Levin and Horowhenua Vets where he was found to be about 20 per cent anemic. "They were severely worried about him. If Tank was better off dead, we would have let him go, but we saw a chance."
Treatment was started including a chemical drench and antibiotics. A skin support diet provided free by Royal Canin was introduced. Whoop Itch and Ouch, a special shampoo developed by Carolyn, and which will go on the market soon, was used on Tank.
"It draws out all the impurities, heals and promotes hair growth," she said.
"But it could only do its job if the mites were killed."
It has taken months to kill the mites - not only were they on top of his skin, but underneath were hundreds of blood blisters each containing 80 to 100 mites.
After six months at Huha's Otaki shelter base, the mange has been nuked, lots of hair has grown back and Tank, who has a bit of male baldness, is tipping the scales at a healthy 60kg.
When Kapiti News visited, it was clear that Tank is a loving, calm and playful dog with an air of pride about him.
Special mention has to go to shelter manager Claire Thornton who has played a big part in his recovery and had lots of day to day contact with him.
Tank's family, who have been in contact throughout his treatment, will drive down and collect him soon, and will be given lots of support from Huha.
