Alex the Schnauzer

First family had him for about 10 years.

Second family saved him in October 2021 and he weighed only 4kg. Photo of skinny schnauzer was provided by second family. 

What a sad mess

Alex, when he was rescued by 2nd family. Photo from 2nd family.

Second family surrendered him to HOPE and he weighs 9kg. And so Alex came to us. 

Although he has gained weight, he is a big boned schnauzer and could afford to put on a bit of weight as his skull is slightly sunken. 

Nasal discharge

We have been asked, by taking in people’s dogs, we are encouraging them to take the easy route out. But our rationale is, if we don’t help, what if they chose to abandon them somewhere else or keep them at home while the poor dog may require medical care.

Taking nasal swab

Apart from being extremely unkempt, his nails were overgrown and his dew claw was almost imbedded into his flesh. Poor Alex must have been wearing diapers for a long time because we noticed that the lower half of his body no longer has fur, possibly from long term diaper wearing. His belly and groin area was so badly matted, we needed the vet nurse to slowly shave it off. His paw pad fur was so long, we could hardly see his paw pad. Can’t imagine how he could have walked without slipping.

Very sparse fur

Lower half of body no longer has fur from constant use of diaper

Alex is 12 ½ years old and we’re terribly upset that he has suffered for so many years. Like all our rescues, we take them to the vet immediately and spare no expense in getting them checked out.

• Mildly anemic, can be from old age or diet. Will require regular blood tests.
• Active inflammation in the body could be something underlying – we have made an appointment for ultrasound next week. 
• Chronic infection 
• Kidney values are elevated / chronic kidney disease 
• Liver – elevated readings. 
• Suspected Cushings as his fur is very sparse 
• Negative for tick fever & heartworm
• Drinks a lot and pees a lot – could be from Cushings or kidney issues 
• Wheezing sound when he breathes 
• Nasal discharge
• Rotten teeth – his mouth smells like a sewer 
• Blood drawn for thyroid – awaiting results 
• All these are just from the first vet visit ☹️ 

Rotten teeth 

Overgrown nails 

Volunteers grooming & cleaning Alex

Alex will be scheduled for the following tests next week :

1. Cushings
2. Ultrasound  

And when he is more settled, undergo sterilization and dental. 

For now, he is safe with a temporary foster. He will not be up for adoption till he is healthy and happier. They say our eyes are windows to our soul and if you saw Alex, you would have agreed that he had given up on life. We hope that with your help, we can bring back that sparkle in his eyes ❤️

Eyes that no longer shine

To date, his first vet bill was $1100. Please email hopedogrescue@singnet.com.sg if you would like to help with Alex’s vet bills. Thank you

Reflections 2022

As the year comes to a close and 2023 beckons, we think of the dogs we rescued this year, the new ones and the ones we lost, it sometimes feels like the ghost of Christmas past.

In 2022 alone, we rescued 13 dogs, most of which were owner surrender and surrendered in such unrecognizable condition that we questioned if the owners were even human. The number of rescue cases we took in rose twofold, from 6 in 2021.

How on earth could someone who call themselves a human being, treat or should we say, neglect a dog to such a deplorable state and many were long term neglect. How could they possibly turn a blind eye on a dog with open, bleeding wounds and in some instances, like Buddy and Kai Kai, the dog no longer looked like a dog.

Why does such gross animal neglect happen in a first world country where our citizens are such law fearing and law abiding and how can we move forward to improve the animal welfare laws to minimize the suffering, neglect and abuse of these sweet souls who have no voice and suffer in silence?

Our animal laws are rather lax and with seemingly many loopholes. We report abuse cases to the authorities, but what the outcomes are, if the owners were fined, jailed (highly unlikely), we don’t know, as the governing body is not obligated to update us. We guess, that more often than not, for the suffering, neglect and abuse the owners have caused to the sweet dogs, they probably just got a slap on the wrist and the same person that caused all the suffering, can go right out and buy another dog.

On the other hand, if these animal abusers are given stiffer punishments, they may decide not to surrender the dogs. What if they abandoned them somewhere? What if they kept the dogs at home and let them die a slow death, like Kai Kai?

Would it make a difference if we allowed people to surrender their dogs, no questions asked? Would this encourage more people to do the right thing or would this invite abuse to the system instead?

Let us hear your thoughts because we are quite sure, as we enter 2023, there will still be many wicked humans who will keep us very busy.

Eye Care For Dogs

Like us humans, our furry friends also need eye care from time to time; these can include using eye drops for a variety of different reasons. You might even be wondering why are your dogs pawing at their eyes and if they need eye drops.

Do pet owners apply eye drops for their dogs if their dogs have no apparent eye problems? We usually apply only when we see redness, or discharge or when the vet prescribes, but seldom do we apply on a daily basis for dogs with no eye problems. Humans apply eye drops when our eyes are dry or tired. How do we know our dogs’eyes are dry and tired? We may not always know and its ok to apply 2 to 3 times a day to dogs with no eye issues, to keep their eyes moist and fresh. Something not too strong like Tears Naturale or Refresh eye drops would be safe for them. 

Unfortunately, our dogs can also suffer from seasonal allergies, allergies to household cleaners, shampoos and any other products we use. Eye drops for dogs could be recommended if these eye symptoms persist:

• Redness

• Squinting

• Clear, watery discharge

• Pawing at eyes

Don’t hesitate to check with your vet if you suspect your dog is suffering from an allergy.

Dogs with dry eyes, especially long term dry eyes and owners do not administer eyes drops or eye gel are susceptible to have ulceration and scarring on the cornea, which may eventually lead to vison impairment. 

Canine glaucoma is a condition characterised by high pressure inside the eye. It is a very painful condition that often causes blindness, especially if it’s left untreated. When glaucoma develops, urgent veterinary treatment is essential. Unfortunately, it can’t be cured but it can be managed with eye drops for dogs to preserve eyesight as long as possible. Signs of glaucoma include:

• Severe eye pain

• Cloudy/blue eyes

• Weepy eyes

• Blindness

• Redness

• Bulging eyes

• Uneven pupils

• Conjunctivitis

Lastly, let us leave you with some tips for applying eye drops to your furkids:

• Wash your hands thoroughly before and after

• Use a wet and warm washcloth to clean the area around your dog’s eye gently.

• Cradle your dog’s head firmly

• Using your dominant hand, hold the eyedrop bottle with your thumb and index finger. Pull down your dog’s lower lid with your other thumb. If you’re doing this alone, the rest of your fingers on that hand can support your dog’s jaw

• Without touching the eye, place the bottle close to the eye and squeeze the prescribed amount into the centre. Naturally, your dog will blink a few times, which helps to spread the medicine around the eye.

• A process like this might require a treat after you’re done! And remember to give lots of praise!

If you think your dog is suffering from any kind of eye condition, remember to consult a vet before administering any kind of eye drop. Early and consistent care for your pooches’ eyes might save you lots of heartache and vet bills in the future.