Help re rescue dog

[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.

He is adorable op, well done.

@ifonerememberstoturnonthelight how is he? What did the vet have to say?

Hope it's all going well and he's settling ok.

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.

He's such a sad dog. He doesn't know what to do with his bed and keeps trying to sleep on the hard floor so I took it out and replaced it with a blanket he seems to prefer that. He's so weak on his back end he just sort of collapses.

I want to do what's best for him but I don't know what that is.

Thanks for taking care of this dog. You are a star. You should ask the vet for a concession on the medical costs. My bill was reduced when I told the vet I was adopting two adult cats in poor condition. One had been run over and the other had its ribs and teeth kicked in...so both had surgeries and it was touch and go for a bit.

He may have fleas and worms. I would not worm him until he feels better, but a flea treatment would make his skin less itchy right away. I would leave off decisions on having him put to sleep for a few weeks. He may well recover with good food and a warm bed...our stray cats certainly did. Good luck!

Oh bless him. Poor, poor boy.
Thank goodness you have him now.

Maybe you dont need to decide yet, build him up best you can and give him time to settle. Then figure things out. Could he be severely vitamin deficient maybe, maybe some joint vitamins etc? Whatever happens at least he gets this chance to feel and be loved.

What a lovely thing you have done Op, hope he settles soon xx

P.S. If he pees or poops in your house, white vinegar is the best solution for odour and stains. If you put some puppy pads down, he may well remember how to use them from his youth.

Definitely wait a few weeks/months so you can see what is what, some things will just be TLC. Xx

Id give him a few days to a week and see how he goes, the kindest thing may well be to let him go, but I think he needs a chance to see if theres any improvement. Tlc and warmth and good food might make all the difference. If his temp doesnt come down then I think I'd call it a day for him.

Poor little soul. What a generous and mighty heart you have, OP, giving him a happier end to his life. You won't have ages with him, but the time spent with you will bring him a peace he's never known. What gift!

Maybe consider getting a doggy pram/stroller if you want to take him out in the fresh air and just enjoy the outdoors together without it being too stressful for him.

What options did the vet give you?

What is the neurological condition? Vestibular disease?

@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.

He's such a sad dog. He doesn't know what to do with his bed and keeps trying to sleep on the hard floor so I took it out and replaced it with a blanket he seems to prefer that. He's so weak on his back end he just sort of collapses.

I want to do what's best for him but I don't know what that is.

@ifonerememberstoturnonthelight You are an angel for taking care of him but I really think you should let the RSPCA know again about this. The people who let him get in this state need to be held accountable, they have withheld veterinary care which is animal cruelty. Don’t take no for an answer. Take photos.

Whatever you decide for him, if you have to put him to sleep just know that you were there for him and stopped him suffering a horrible death in their shitty garden. This makes me so angry!! X

@Twigletfairy the vet thinks he's had a stroke and has vestibular disease. His back end is so weak, he's only barely continent. He Staggers a lot and veers off the left. He only changed direction when he bangs into something.

The only time he wants to interact and not just pace and sniff is when our dog is around then he follows her around. He's such a little sweetheart, so placid.

I washed him this morning as he stank, I can't explain how bad the smell was, like rotting meat. He smells better now but his mouth is awful.

He's dribbling a lot and id imagine in pain because of his teeth, ive got loxicom for him, and he's had that this morning.

How can you do this to a dog?

You are doing such a kind thing

I think he deserves a chance, and that is what you are giving him (and love, care and a blanket ).

I'd not let it go on forever though. Lots of elderly dogs get a bit slimmer than is good for them, but you'd expect yours to put on a little weight with TLC and good food.
Feed him small portions 3-4x/day, unlimited treats.
Don't walk him for any great lengths.
Be led by him, he'll let you know what he likes/enjoys.

I've always felt as long as a dog can eat, pee and poo unaided, shows happiness when his owner comes home/with a toy/when getting a back scratch of belly rub, there's quality of life. If its all wall to wall misery, I'd consider euthanising him, sad as it would be.

Just read your update.

It breaks my heart, really it does.
Some people should not be allowed to look after a stick insect, never mind a dog

Loxicom is an anti-inflammatory - between that and the antibiotic his gums may improve a little. If he than eats, puts on some weight, maybe he'd be able to get his teeth cleaned/pulled in the future?

Dogs with vestibular disease can have a good life, but it really depends on how he gets on under your care, doesn't it? Poor wee chap.

Our rescue ddog had 10 teeth out at nearly 10 yo. She flashes her remaining few in a crooked smile!
Dc are happy to get kisses now...
Fingers crossed your old boy hangs in there op. Your love will give him The Will I feel.

Absolutely breaks my heart for the life this poor dog has led.
Op you are wonderful for giving him some comfort
Hope he recovers enough to have some quality time with you

Was just going to say what @Galaxycat has said.
The RSPCA should prosecute his owners for allowing the poor little dog to live in pain and misery, and not taking him to a vet

Thank goodness you found him OP, at least he’ll live out his days experiencing some love, comfort and care

That poor, poor old boy.

The rspca didn't prosecute because he had shelter. Awful.
This is him, his name is Keith. It kinda suits him

Ahhhhh hi Keith!

He is gorgeous and you are a wonderful person

Oh bless him!
Thank goodness for people like you, OP. I hope that whatever happens he now knows what it is like to be loved and comfortable for however long he has with you ❤️

The poor wee thing.
I'd give him a week or two to see if he improves but it may be best to have him pts. At least his last days will be in comfort.

Oh op he is lovely. You’re doing such a wonderful thing.

Give him a couple of weeks before deciding what to do (obviously providing he doesn’t get worse either). It often takes weeks for a neglected animal to recover even in the smallest way. From experience, my advice is take each day as it comes and he’ll start coming out of his shell and hopefully physically improving too.
Keep us updated

I wonder what the RSPCA actually do prosecute for, if neglecting an animal like this poor boy is acceptable?

Anyway, so glad to see him in your home, and Keith is a great name for him ❤️

Please give us updates!