Rescuing dog on Saturday please help

[ifonerememberstoturnonthelight]

Hi I'm collecting a dog from our neighbours on Saturday that is in terrible condition. He's 13 ish, cries constantly and bangs into shit in the garden. He lives in a kennel and the rspca is not interested so I'm going to get him on Saturday. Obviously the first thing we need to do is take him to the vet, but he stinks so maybe he'll need a wash first?

He's so passive it makes me so sad, he's never been for a walk and it's only now we're able to talk to the neighbour about maybe giving him up.

Do we keep him away from our other dog? And he's never been inside so how do we transition him? I'm not a green dog owner but I've never actually picked a dog up away from its neglectful owners before.

[Pumpkintopf]

Has your neighbour agreed to give him to you?

Could you speak to your vet for advice on what to do first?

Are you planning on keeping the dog yourself?

[MrsTerryPratchett]

Poor old boy.

No advice because that sounds very hard.

[ifonerememberstoturnonthelight]

Yes neighbour has agreed to give him up. Obviously if he has needs we can't meet we'll be taking him to a rescue centre but similarly if the vet says he only has a certain amount of time left we'd rather he live out his days with us on our little small holding

[Pumpkintopf]

I'd suggest discussing with your vet first how best to approach this. I would imagine it would be best to go straight to the vets rather than stress him out with a bath etc. but would take your vets advice.

[stophuggingme]

This is so sad.
My heart breaks for that poor dog.

[ZaraCarmichaelshighheels]

What a lovely person you are OP. That poor poor dog, it breaks my heart, I’ve not been in your situation maybe give your vets a call for some general initial advice or the Dogs trust?

[MrsTerryPratchett]

Good for you BTW. Giving him a little comfort at the end of his life is a completely lovely act.

[ifonerememberstoturnonthelight]

Thanks so the plan is vet, I'll call them tomorrow during my break, then the breed specific rescue to let them know we might be bringing him on Monday depending on how the weekend goes. But the vet has to happen.

[Scattyhattie]

So glad you've been able to convince the neighbour to allow you to take the dog as it sounds a miserable existence. At least with the high cost of dogs, its less likely they'll turn up with a replacement as for some reason the uninterested, neglectful owners seem to do this.

Vet trip seems urgent, also in case has anything transmittable & he'll probably be stressed by a change of environment at first anyway.
The breed rescue could also be good source of advice & support to early days & getting him settled. I'd probably go for separation early on with your dog and let gradually get to know each other if its likely that neighbours dog has had little to no socialisation in its lifetime & possible vision issues potentially may find it overwhelming when already stressed than a comfort.

[Pumpkintopf]

How's everything going op?

[ifonerememberstoturnonthelight]

Slowly but surely we're getting there, he's deaf, blind and had so many ticks. He's staying at the vet tonight to have some fluids as he clearly hasn't been drinking/ had access to water. Not sure when he'll be home but we'll be here waiting for him when he gets out

[MrsTerryPratchett]

So glad to hear he's out. Hopefully he will slowly adjust.

[FVFrog]

Good luck and well done, so please keep us updated, will be checking in. Would love to know what breed he is.

[Marylou62]

THANK YOU OP xxx

[Paranoidmarvin]

My advice for what it is worth of to go at the dogs pace. Let them guide you as to what they are ready for. One of the worst things you can do is to rush these things. Let them tell you when they are ready. Just been calm and quiet. And around.

[Pumpkintopf]

Good news op, thank goodness for you, that poor dog.

[stophuggingme]

If only there were more people like you.
Please let us know how he gets on

[WarriorsComeOutToPlayay]

I am pleased there are good people like the OP in this world

[CiCiFreakingBabcock]

What a lucky boy to have you stepping up for him. Make sure you change registration, chip details etc into your names. Looking forward to updates, and pics

[TimWasMeanToMe]

Oh poor dog. No water? That’s utterly heartbreaking. Well done for rescuing him OP. Please keep us updated.

[Pumpkintopf]

How's everything op?

[spiderlight]

Poor old boy. I hope he settles in with you. Thank you for showing him what might be his first taste of love.

[ifonerememberstoturnonthelight]

So he got back from the vet last night. He's got some weird neurological thing going on, he walks like he's drunk, staggers about and bangs in to things.
He blind,
He's deaf,
He gags and coughs every ten mins or so
He has a tumour on his bum that has not been ever looked at
And he has absolutely rancid teeth, they need to be removed but he's too sick. He's so thin it makes me so sad

I don't know if the kindest thing would be to put him to sleep. He's on oral antibiotics for his infection (of unknown location) but he's been on iv antibiotics and he still has a temperature, he seems to like our other dogs.

[ifonerememberstoturnonthelight]

The vet also thinks he's 16

[Palladin]

You're lovely, OP! It's heartbreaking to think that it might be too late for a proper happy ending. I'm sure your vet will be able to support you in making a decision over the next few days.