Is This What You Call Love?

How can this be love?

Her neck no longer had any fur - just thick crusty skin.

\We heard about this dog and have been trying to persuade her owner to hand over to us but she had been putting it off with a whole lot of excuses – work, busy, my kids will miss the dog etc. We continued to try and persuade her and we are glad we did. Our persistence paid off. She finally agreed to surrender the dog to us.

Limited vision and terrible skin 

Little did we know what a sorry state the dog was in.

Chelsea is 10, given up twice, but we are certain this will be third time lucky for Chelsea.

Like all our rescues, they are taken to the vet immediately for a full medical. We spare no expense at ensuring their well-being. 

One look at Chelsea would bring tears to your eyes. How did she even live for so long in that state? Her condition was far worse than a breeding dog and yet, she had an owner!! Neglect is also a form of abuse. 

While waiting at the vet, Chlesea scratched till she cried in pain and frustration. Her neck no longer had fur – it was just thick and crusty from years of scratching. YEARS! 

Her nails! How to even walk without pain??

Just look at her nails!! How to walk like that?? 

Grossly underweight at just 4.4kg – she needs to put on another 2 to 3kg at least. We were told she was fed white rice – that would explain her horrible skin infection and malnutrition. 

Chronic ear infection 

Badly matted tail

Severe malnourishment and dehydration. Did they even remember to feed her? She was so dehydrated that she needed to be put on drip immediately.

Her kidneys are starting to show changes – not yet kidney failure but she needs to start taking in lots of fluids so that her kidneys hopefully start functioning normally again.

Anemia. This could be caused by her malnutrition and chronic skin issues.

Bad teeth – she will require dental at a later stage, when she is stronger.

Luxating patella in both her hind legs. She will require hydrotherapy and long slow walks to build muscles to hold her joints in place.

 A shadow of a dog 

Painful, curved spine – we are unsure if she was caged and thus her curved spine.

Arthritis – she was given a jab for her painful joints; oh, and a jab for her itchy skin.

Cataracts in both eyes with limited vision.

Irresponsible humans have failed this little dog; not once, but twice, and made her life a living hell. But dogs are resilient and so forgiving and Chelsea is the sweetest, little dog you will ever know. So kind, so tolerant and you can see it in her blurred eyes that she is willing to let go of her sad past and move on.

For now, she just loves her food – you won’t believe how happy she is just being in our volunteer’s home, going for walks and eating nice home cooked meals.

To help with Chelsea’s vet bills, please email hopedogrescue@singnet.com.sg

She will be put up for adoption when she is ready and like all our rehoming cases, we will be very stringent on our screening because Chelsea’s life is in our hands and it is our responsibility to ensure she will be treated like a little princess till the end of time.

HOPE Dog Rescue Turns 10 This Month

 HOPE Dog Rescue turns 10 this month. Unbelievable.

Fiona & Brandy, happily adopted; the dog, not the human

Prior to starting HOPE, I had been volunteering with various animal welfare groups. Each time I rescued a dog, I would hand it over to a rescue group. Although the dogs were saved, I felt bad because I was passing my responsibility onto others. So I figured the best way was to start my own rescue group to save whoever I wanted and not feel bad for pushing the responsibility to someone else. And so HOPE Dog Rescue was formed.

Trying to befriend a stray dog 

Fiona rescuing some puppy mill dogs 

We started off by rescuing puppies, sterilizing street dogs and cats, feeding strays, rescuing injured strays etc. Over the years, I've come to realize that I love senior dogs and dogs with special needs. Dogs enter our lives for a reason, often to teach us lessons, not in a bad way 😊 Matthieu was our very first special needs dog. He passed on early this year from old age. He taught us so much about caring for a special needs dog - using a wheelchair, expressing bladder etc., many of these things and processes I never even knew existed. Then we had Sida who was hit twice by a lorry resulting in a broken back. Despite her special needs, Sida has since been adopted ❤️. 

Baby Harper, who was rather sickly as a puppy, often down with pneumonia and bronchitis 

Harper was rescued at about 6 weeks old and I started fostering her when she was about 3 months old; she is now 8 years old. Every day for the first few months, I wanted to call it a day. It was not easy caring for a dog with special needs. It was a huge learning curve. Leaking pee, poo all over the house, fitting her with wheels, daily management of pressure sores, exercising her so she wouldn't get water retention in her joints etc. It was not easy. Each time I got home from work, the entire house was covered with streaks of dried poo, from hall to kitchen . . . . I could see the chocolate trails showing where she had crawled. I would stand at the door and think which I should clean up first, the dog or the floor. The poo was dried by the time I got home and so I would spend hours scraping and cleaning the floor. I would love to say that those were the good old days 😉 but I would be lying. These days I've become an expert and I just need to express her pee and poo and she will be nice and clean all day ❤️

It took me 3 years to really master how to care for a dog like Harper. Today, I'm a pro at it. Thanks to all the special needs dogs that have come into my life, I am not only good at what I do (if I may say so myself), I also love what I do. Not everyone has the honour to be chosen to care for such a special dog – the dog obviously trusts you if they choose you.

A not so baby Harper, who is now 8 years old 

And so over the years, we have established ourselves as a group that rescues and loves senior dogs and dogs with special needs. These are the dogs that very few people would want to adopt so when we rescue them, we also have to be prepared to care and provide for them for the long-term. And thus, there is a limit to the number of dogs we can save because we have many dogs in our care that we will have to be responsible for, till the end of time. And with these dogs, they often come with many, many health issues, which also translates to many, many vet bills, as in the cases of Zeus, Chloe, Sofie and Mantou to name a few. 

Harper has exquisite taste, she loves boat rides. Good thing I'm her maid, I get to tag along

Although we may seem like a big group, we are not. We just look like we're doing a lot 😊 We don't have a shelter because the rentals would have forced us to shut down long ago. Instead, we rely on volunteers and fosters, and sometimes even commercial boarders if we cant find fosters.

We started stray feeding more than a decade ago and to this day, it is still ongoing. We feed the strays and we also supply the workers with dog and cat food so that they can help to feed the strays living in their factory compounds without having to use their own hard-earned money to do so. I am blessed to have very dedicated volunteers who continue to feed the strays week after week, come what may.

Saturday night stray feeding 

We continue to rescue injured strays, within our capabilities, take in owner-surrendered dogs (usually seniors) and also help low income families with dog food and vet bills because we believe that the pets provide them with companionship and they should not be separated if we can help it. Also, research has shown that pets help senior citizens keep dementia at bay. We love old dogs, we do love old people too. Hope's belief is also in education. We believe in educating dog owners, so that they become better informed for their dogs well being.

Some of the dogs we have saved

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think we would survive a decade, but we did. Like so many success stories, nothing would have been possible without the kindness, love, support and generosity of so many dog lovers out there, who believe in the work we do. And my loyal, dedicated volunteers, many of whom have been with me from the early days, who put so much effort into volunteering that it almost feels like they hold two full time jobs. Thank you for putting up with me 😊

My wish is to rehome all our dogs so I can retire 😊

Thank you everyone, for the love and kindness you have shown me. Because of you, I believe in miracles.

With deepest gratitude,

Head slave, Fiona

How to Carry a Dog

We have seen several peculiar ways people carry their furry friends. Here is a breakdown of the dos and don'ts when carrying a dog!

The DON'Ts: 

1. Lifting it from under its arms 

Your dog is not a human baby. By lifting them from under their arms, there is a high risk of arm dislocation, especially for heavier or bigger dogs. It could also be painful for them and put strain on their muscles/ligaments.

2. Carrying it belly up

It may seem cute when a dog is carried belly up like a baby, but that is a huge no. They are at risk of hurting their spine, more so for senior and big dogs.

3. Using a baby carrier

Now, we know recycling is important, but not when you use what was meant for a human baby on a dog. Please do not use a baby carrier; kangaroo pouch, baby slings or back packs on a dog. It puts unwanted pressure on their spine and hips.

Even back packs for specifically for dogs is not such a good idea as it also put pressure on their spine. Think about it, a dog is not meant to be sitting upright.

The DOs:

Remember, always support the dog's body and bum, keeping their spine straight in the process. This applies to dogs of all ages. Start by placing your hand on the dog's chest, then, as you lift it up, quickly place your other arm on its rear. That's it. As simple as that!

For those whose dogs are not conveniently small, light, or cooperative enough to execute this carrying technique, here are some pointers.

1. A heavy dog

If your fur kid is the size of a mammoth, you might want to enlist the help of a friend. Support the front of a dog by its chest and get your friend to support its rear. Teamwork.

2. An injured dog

The safest way is to use a pet carrier / wagon or, for larger dogs, a stretcher. If you don't have a stretcher, use any firm, flat object. Slip your arms under its neck and back and lift or slide the dog onto the stretcher. Always lift with two arms! And ensure you keep their spine straight!

3. A dog with arthritis

Only lift a dog when it needs lifting. Wrap one arm around the backside of the dog's waist and place your other arm around its chest. Another way to do it is by using a dog lift harness which is designed specifically for dogs with arthritis or weak limbs.

4. An overly excited puppy or a grumpy old scrooge 

For those whose dogs put up a grand fight when you attempt to carry them, start by practicing a few seconds a day, every day, to get your dog comfortable and accustomed to being carried. You'll thank the practice should an emergency occur and you need to carry them and run!

Written by: Gabrielle

Parvo Virus

With our dogs considered as members of our families, there is no doubt we wish to keep them in the pink of health. Diseases are, unfortunately, abundant and easily transmitted from one to the other. You might or might not have heard of Canine parvovirus (CPV). Here is an introductory list of everything you need to know about CPV.

What is it?

Canine parvovirus (CPV) is a highly contagious virus affecting dogs and is spread from dog to dog by direct or indirect contact with their faeces, environments, or people. The virus is capable of contaminating kennel surfaces, food and water bowls, collars and leashes, and through the clothes and hands of people who have handled infected dogs.

Photo Credit: Arizona Pet Vet

What are the symptoms?

Once a dog is infected there is an incubation period of three to seven days before symptoms start to appear. Some tell-tale signs include lethargy, loss of appetite, high fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea.

Please contact your vet immediately if your dog shows any of these signs.

The virus is usually suspected upon the results of laboratory tests, physical examination, and a dog's clinical history. The diagnosis can often be confirmed through faecal testing.

Are all dogs prone to CPV?

Puppies and adolescent dogs are especially susceptible to CPV. Several factors can also be considered when determining the infection rates among dogs; immune status of the individual dog to the number of viruses the dog is exposed to.

Photo Credit : petcoach.co

What are the treatment options?

Good news, CPV is curable. A hospital stay is often necessary so that the dog can receive ample care and treatment – receive intravenous fluids and nutrient to replace quantities lost via vomiting and diarrhoea. Intravenous drip and blood transfusions are also options considered to boost low blood cell count.

Dogs will respond to medical therapy if initiated in a timely fashion. Dogs who recover from CPV infection retain lifelong protective immunity against the virus that infected them.

Since the virus is contagious the infected dog should also be isolated to minimise the spread of infection.

Are there any prevention methods?

Good hygiene and vaccination are useful in preventing CPV. Vaccinations are usually administered as part of a combination shot. You could check with your vet before deciding if your dog should receive the vaccine.

Always be careful. A puppy can be exposed to CPV without warning; dog parks and lawns. Dog not let your dog come into contact with the faecal waste of other dogs while walking or playing outdoors (reminder to pick up after your dog). If you realise that have come into contact with a dog with CPV, avoid handling other dogs and wash your hands thoroughly and change into a new set of clothes before handling.

CPV can be inactivated by bleach. Solution: one part bleach mixed with approx. 30 parts water to disinfect any indoor area (bedding, food/water bowls that once housed an infected dog).

Remember, early detection and ample treatment are important in successful cases. Survival rates go up to 90% with proper treatment. Always be aware of changes in your dog's behaviour!

Written by: Gabrielle

Information taken from:

American Veterinary Medical Association 

Cornell University – College of Veterinary Medicine 

Pancreatitis

We often read about dogs suffering from pancreatitis recently. But what actually is pancreatitis and what are some symptoms to look out for?

Pancreas is an organ in the abdominal cavity which helps dogs to digest food and regulate blood sugar. Pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas is inflamed and swollen. The inflammation results from the inappropriate, early activation of an enzyme in the pancreas, which causes the pancreas to digest itself.

It is often difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of pancreatitis. One of the most common risk factors is scavenging. Sometimes, acute pancreatitis is triggered when a dog eats food high in fat. Severe trauma or surgery can also lead to pancreatitis. It has also been linked to the use of some medications, which include, but are not limited to, some chemotherapy medications and antibiotics. Cushing's disease, infections such as Babesia Canis or Leishmania, and high blood levels triglycerides fats, have also been listed as risk factors. A rare but probable cause of acute recurrent pancreatitis is food intolerance.

While pancreatitis most commonly affects middle aged to older dogs, some breeds such as Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds, miniature Schnauzers, Poodles and Yorkshire Terriers, are predisposed to the condition.

Pancreatitis may be acute or chronic. Acute pancreatitis may either take a mild, oedematous form or a more severe, haemorrhagic form. The associated inflammation allows digestive enzymes from the pancreas to spill into the abdominal cavity resulting in secondary damage to the liver, bile ducts, gall bladder, and intestines. Some dogs that recover from an acute episode of pancreatitis may continue to have recurrent bouts of the disease, which is then called chronic or relapsing pancreatitis. A chronic condition can also be one that has developed over time and often without symptoms.

Photo Credit: Tendertouchvethosp

The most common clinical signs include nausea, vomiting, fever, lethargy, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and decreased appetite. Some other symptoms can be dehydration, irregular heartbeat, irregular body temperature and a hard time breathing. During an attack, dogs may hunch their back, with their rear end up in the air while their front legs and head are lowered onto the floor. If the attack is severe, acute shock, severe depression, and even death may occur.

Often, in cases where the cause of dogs' pancreatitis cannot be pinpointed, vets will provide supportive veterinary care and ensure your dog is monitored carefully. Most dogs with pancreatitis are hospitalized for two to four days while IV fluids and medications are administered and food is gradually re-introduced. With severe haemorrhagic pancreatitis, or if the dog is showing signs of systemic shock, intensive care using aggressive doses of IV fluids and medications to counteract shock.

Most dogs recover without any long-term consequences. However, there have also been cases of death associated with pancreatitis. In 2018, our beloved Button passed away from pancreatitis. Button was Singapore's first and only animal assisted therapy dog trained in Hokkien. We had no idea she was feeling unwell. We noticed she did not eat for a day, and then realised she was running a fever. We immediately took her to the vet where we learnt that she was suffering from pancreatitis. Her condition deteriorated and in just 10 days, she passed from complications and heart failure 😢

Button, Singapore's first Hokkien animal assisted therapy dog 

If your dog is feeling unwell or showing any of the symptoms of pancreatitis, please rush straight to the vet! Do take note not to spend time asking on various social media platforms on how to cure as pancreatitis is not a condition that can be cured with home remedies. There is no time to waste and early diagnosis is the best way to cure pancreatitis.

Written by: Xinyi

What Do You Feed Your Dogs?

What should I feed my dog? This might be one of the first questions that come to mind when we welcome a furry friend into our home. For many new dog owners, the first instinct is to turn to commercial meals. Convenient, cleanly packaged, good marketing and seemingly healthy, commercial meals such as kibble and canned food seem to be the ideal choice at first glance. 

Upon closer inspection, however, commercial meals for dogs might not be as beneficial as we are led to believe.  

Harper having dinner

The issue with kibble 

We often see kibble brands boasting the nutritional value of their product, with pellets made from premium protein sources like salmon or lamb. Yet, kibble is derived from a high-heat process that potentially leads to the loss of important nutrients. On the other hand, toxins known as mycotoxins can survive the cooking and extruding process. In the long run, these toxins can lead to immune system damage to our dogs' organs and cause issues in reproduction.  

Much of the protein in kibble also comes from highly questionable sources: about 50% of an animal is put aside for human consumption, with the remaining parts sent for use in the pet food industry. These parts may include diseased meat, animal carcasses, and other unwanted animal parts that are not ideal for a dog's diet.   

In addition to artificial flavourings and colourings which are used to enhance the flavour of kibble, preservatives such as BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin are used in dry kibble to prevent them from growing rancid. Such chemicals are potentially cancer-causing and are thus detrimental to our dogs' health in the long run.  

Finally, kibble is often the cause of the majority of gum disease in dogs. A common belief is that the dryness and texture of kibble can act as a tool to clean dogs' teeth while they chew on them. High carbohydrate content in kibble, however, fuels plaque growth that renders our dogs susceptible to periodontal issues.  

All his life on kibbles, Mantou now loves his new home cooked diet <3 

How about canned food? 

In comparison to kibble, canned food might seem like a more palatable choice for dogs. But like any other commercial pet food, canned food can come with undesirable health consequences.

A recent study has found that even short-term consumption of canned food can lead to a 300% increase in Bisphenol A (BPA) in dogs' blood, which can be disruptive to the endocrine system. Moreover, omega-6 fatty acids are often found in canned food, due to their high content in cheaper oils that are more cost-efficient for pet food manufacturers to use. When consumed in excess, this can be highly inflammatory, especially for senior dogs who might suffer from arthritis. 

Although there are regulations put in place in the pet food industry, it is still mostly self-regulated. This means that we can never be sure just how safe commercial pet food is. Thus, the best way to ensure the well-being of our dogs is to turn to alternatives. 

Sofie loves her food although she has a small appetite and requires many small meals throughout the day 

What should I feed my dog then?  

HOPE encourages pet owners to provide their dogs with a home-cooked diet for the benefit of their dog's health. 

When we think of home-cooked meals, the delicious dinner we ate the night before comes to mind. In fact, some of our stray rescues are used to eating leftover human food like curry rice.

But home-cooked meals for dogs are not the same as those for humans. All our rescues are on home-cooked meals which consist of proteins (pork, chicken, beef etc.), carbohydrates (rice, sweet potato, pumpkin etc) and vegetables. At times, we provide them with animals' heart, liver or blood -- a tasty treat that dogs love. Depending on the dog's age and health condition, the home-cooked meals can be tailored accordingly to suit its needs.

Egg, broccoli, minced pork, chicken heart and a dollop of yoghurt 

These meals can be prepared in a matter of time and are much more nutritious - not to mention tastier than commercial dog food. 

A word of advice, however, if you are thinking of changing your dog's diet to a home-cooked one: take it slow! Many of our rescues such as Chloe, Mantou and Amos, who have been on a kibble diet their entire lives, have had to slowly transition to eating home-cooked meals. This is to prevent issues such as diarrhoea that could arise from a sudden switch. 

Chicken leg, organic bok choy, raw celery, chicken heart and a dollop of yoghurt

Food is a big part of our lives, and we know how much our furry friends enjoy them too. While commercial meals might seem like the more convenient route, perhaps we should consider providing our dogs with more hearty and nutritious home-cooked meals. After all, it's sure to promise both health and happiness!

Written by: Erin

Canine Distemper (Not just strays get them)

Canine Distemper is fatal in over fifty percent of adult dogs who contract the virus and eighty percent of puppies. Death occurs between 2 weeks and 3 months after infection. The main cause of death is from complications to the central nervous system. It is contracted primarily through airborne viral particles that the dog breathes in. Infected dogs shed the virus through bodily secretions such as respiratory secretions, and urine and feces excretions. Dogs contract the virus by direct contact with urine, feces, or secretions from infected dogs. Also contact with kennels, bedding, toys, or other objects that may also hold the virus. During the recovery period (which can last several weeks) dogs can still shed the virus even if all symptoms have disappeared. Once fully recovered previously infected dogs no longer shed the virus.

Canine Distemper is a very serious, potentially fatal disease. 

A dog with distemper, very weak, loss of appetite

Infected animals shed canine distemper virus in all body secretions. Inhaling the virus is the primary source of exposure. The highest incidence of the disease occurs in unvaccinated puppies 6 to 12 weeks of age, at which time maternal antibodies fall below protective levels.

Distemper in Dogs

What is it?

Are you familiar with human beings contracting measles? In the furry world of dogs and other animals, a similar disease can be contracted as well – Canine Distemper (or distemper in dogs). This contagious disease often happens to unvaccinated puppies and unvaccinated dogs that are put at high risk of infection, caused by the Canine Distemper Virus (CDV), which may eventually lead to death of dogs if not efficiently treated.

What causes Canine Distemper?

CDV can spread like wildfire. It can easily be carried through the air! These infectious airborne viral particles may potentially be transmitted when other dogs are placed within the same vicinity and share the same air space. It doesn’t stop there. An infected dog’s urine or faeces, their water bowls and even their beddings leave traces of this virus. Any direct or indirect contact of these belongings could cause the virus to be spread. It affects the gastrointestinal, respiratory and central nervous systems. 

This virus, however, is not unique to dogs. Other wildlife animals such as raccoons, foxes, skunks and ferrets are also carriers of the CDV, which may potentially transmit the virus to dogs as well.

As much as we, human beings, may be safe from this virus and have a way lower risk of contracting distemper, we could possibly end up carrying CDV unknowingly. To all helpful volunteers and stray feeders out there, beware! Despite that, we may still potentially spread this condition to other healthy dogs we go into contact with after handling an infected dog. A little more cautiousness from our end will definitely go a long way!

What are some of the signs / symptoms?

So how do you know if you’re dealing with an infected dog? There’re various symptoms you can look out for. Generally, there are 2 stages in CDV:

1st stage

The first signs of distemper appear six to nine days after exposure. Dogs infected with the distemper virus at this stage would usually have high fever (39.4°C to 40.5°C) and cold-like symptoms, which worsens into:

Testing for distemper includes a nasal and eye swab

Nasal discharge is one of the signs

1. Eye/Nasal Discharge : Thick, yellow & Sticky
2. Dry Cough
3. Abdomen: Pus, blisters
4. Vomiting & Diarrhoea
5. Loss of Appetite
6. Listlessness

Nasal and eye discharge

Also includes hardening of the paw pads

2nd stage (2-3 weeks after being infected)

1. Encephalitis (Brain involving): slobbering, head-shaking, chewing movement of jaws.
2. Epileptic-like seizures (Dog runs in circles, fall over and kicks feet wildly)
3. Deterioration of mental abilities and motor skills
4. Depression
5. Distemper myoclonus: Brain involvement with muscle contractions. The jerking can affect parts of the body, but most common in the head. If the dog recovers, the jerking continues indefinitely-but becomes less severe with time.

In addition to all the symptoms stated above, the CDV also attacks the skin of an infected dog. Look out for thickened skin on its feet and nose. These, however are usually only visible about 15 days after being infected and are caused by different strains of the CDV.

How to treat the disease?

If you’ve noticed any of the symptoms, it’s best to seek professional help from a vet. They’ll be sure to advise you further through routine tests and taking a detailed complete history of the dog to rule out other diseases. The most accurate test for CDV however, may pose some dangers for the dog and will most likely not be the first action to be taken by the vet.

Unfortunately, there hasn’t been a known cure for Canine Distemper yet so it’s essential to closely monitor an infected dog’s medical progress through treatments that aid in suppressing the pain and relieving the symptoms as much as possible. Further treatments will also be offered to prevent potential new infections from occurring as the dog’s immune system will definitely weaken with any form of disease.

Some treatments include:

1. Antibiotic treatment against secondary bacterial infections
2. IV Fluids to replace fluids that were lost through diarrhoea / vomiting
3. Anti-seizure medications

Plasma transfusion, those handling dog must be in protective gear

How to prevent the disease?

And so the old saying goes, prevention is always better than cure. Thank goodness for vaccinations! It provides 100% protection. Puppies should always be vaccinated when they’re 8 weeks old as pups have a lower immunity and are more prone to catching on any diseases. That’s not all though, vaccination should still be periodically boosted over the years to ensure immunity. Schedule regular vet visits to ensure that the vaccination is up-to-date. Another important measure is to always keep your dog’s surroundings clean – routine cleaning is beneficial. CDV, although possible to be transmitted through water bowls etc. it is usually unable to survive long being out of the dog’s body. Heat, sunlight and most disinfectants (Bleach) will do the trick of killing the virus.

If you have other pets living together, be sure to isolate the potentially infected dog to prevent spreading of the virus.

A dog's chances for surviving canine distemper largely depends on the strength of the dog’s immune system. Recovery is entirely possible, although seizures and other fatal disturbances to the Central Nervous System may occur two to three months after recovery. Fully recovered dogs do not spread or carry the virus.

Dogs that recover from Canine Distemper may still show symptoms several years later after their recovery. These symptoms may even include other central nervous system disorders – in the brain or spinal cord.