Bloat in Dogs

Bloat

Do you know about bloat in dogs? Unlike humans, bloat or Gastric Dilatation-volvulus (GDV) can be deadly for dogs. This happens when a dog’s stomach gets filled with gas, food or fluids and subsequently twists, cutting off blood flow to the abdomen and stomach. If left untreated, GDV can cause death.

The most common causes of bloat include ingesting large amount of food or water too quickly and exercising

immediately after eating. That’s why it is often recommended to avoid letting your dog play or engage in vigorous

activities an hour before and after a meal. Also, if you know that your dog has a tendency to eat or drink too quickly, it

may be a good idea to invest in a slow feeding bowl soon. 

 

Bloat may be more common in large or deep chested breeds but it can actually happen in any breed. A dog suffering

from bloat may display some or all of the symptoms:

 

• Dry-heave / retch without vomiting any food

• Distended abdomen

• Display sudden anxiety, pacing, an inability to get comfortable or constantly moving around the room/house.

• Guarding his belly or looking back at his belly

• Position himself in a downward facing dog pose, where the dog’s back half is up and upper half is down

• Pant and drool

• Collapse

• Have a racing heartbeat

• Have pale gums

 

So if you notice these signs in your dog, it is best to monitor and send him to the vet immediately if you are unsure.

After all, rather be safe than sorry!

Caleb, A Faithful Dog Deserving Better (Owner Surrender)

 

17, deaf, blind and homeless 

The meaning of “Caleb” is faithful, bold and brave and that is what we hope he carries with him as he lives out the last chapter of his life.

Caleb is our second rescue of the year 2023 and like so many before him, we were horribly dismayed at the state he was in when we got him. He was initially brought to the groomer for some sprucing up by his owners, and boy, what a long-awaited one it was. His fur was long and unkempt, he had visible rotting flesh and his nails were so long they curled sideways. The rotten smell emitted from him permeated the groomer’s shop so badly that she had to switch off the air con and open the doors for ventilation. Seeing the shocking state of neglect he was in, the groomer asked the owners if they would surrender the dog and they agreed. That’s when the groomer called us for help.

Is this a dog? 

Huge infected tumour on his paw

Gross neglect 

Another tumour just below his anus 

Badly decayed teeth 

Crusty, infected ears 

 

First thing we did when we got Caleb was to send him straight to the vet, give him a good clean up and a proper meal with plenty of pats. Poor Caleb is estimated about 17 years old and on top of the awful physical state he is in, he has a host of health issues too. One of his eyes was so infected until it got sunken in. He is blind in his “normal” eye. He has a huge tumour on his paw that is infected and pus-filled and another bleeding tumour just below his anus. Both his ears are infected and his skin has multiple flakes and scabs. The vet’s topmost concern is he has cancer and it might have already spread internally. 

Given the state he is in, one cannot imagine the amount of pain and discomfort he must have been in. Poor Caleb must be so used to living with pain that he barely flinched when the vet checked and prodded him. It was heartbreaking to see him confused, and scared. Given his age, he should be living out the last phase of his life in comfort, being loved and treasured by his family.

We understood that the owners adopted him from SPCA in 2018 or 2019. We emailed SPCA for verification 4 days ago but have yet to hear from them. The other question weighing heavily on our minds is why adopt Caleb if they are going to subject him to such gross neglect. He would have had a better quality of life being left at SPCA, albeit being kept in their compound 24/7. But at least, he didn’t have to go through the agonizing torment of being so uncared, leading to physical health issues. Only the owners know how long Caleb had been suffering in silence before they finally decided to take him to the groomer.

 

We had to shave him to check his body for sores / wounds plus he was so badly matted

 

Caleb is currently being put up at one of our volunteer’s place and we are looking for a foster for him. Ideally his foster should be someone who is able to be home most of the time as he cannot be left alone for more than 2 to 3 hours, able to prepare home cooked meals for him and administer medications for his various ailments. Foster must also be alert and reach us if he were to display signs of discomfort, bleeds from his wounds or stops eating altogether. We will then need to arrange for urgent medical intervention.

Despite all that he has been through, Caleb is a really sweet boy and enjoys been patted and having close contact with humans, which he was seemingly starved from. We are still totally flabbergasted at how anyone could have the heart and conscience to make this poor boy go through all the misery, which could have been very unnecessary if only the owners had made a kinder decision to give Caleb up when they weren’t able to care for him.

We are appealing for help for Caleb’s vet bills as due to the multiple health issues he has, we had chalked up quite a hefty sum as more than 10 different types of medications were dispensed for Caleb. Please email hopedogrescue@singnet.com.sg if you are able to help.

Lastly, please raise an alert to the authorities if you happen to come across such cases of gross neglect. You might be the only voice our furry friends have and all it takes to save them from misery till death is a timely alarm from you.

We aren’t able to save every dog but we will do our utmost for each and every one that we are able to. Thank you for your kind support that enables us to continue working for the cause that we hold dear to our hearts.

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.

1st Ever Dog Wheelchair Walk in Singapore

Spearheaded by our mascot, Harper; HOPE Dog Rescue held Singapore's very first dog walk for doggies on wheelchairs, on 17 December and what an amazing walk it was!

The doggies were really excited to meet fellow doggies on wheelchairs as it is not common that they get to meet their kind ❤️. They were, perhaps, exchanging facts about their wheelchairs!

The walk was attended by 5 doggies in wheelchairs and 17 normal doggies who had signed up to walk with these special doggies to show their support. We were touched!

The wheelchair doggies were:

1) Harper, born with a broken spine

2) Lucky, intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)

3) Jackie, traffic accident and owner didn't want her after her after the accident and a kind lady adopted Jackie.

4) Stephen - thrown out of a moving car in Shanghai and a family fostered him, adopted and brought to SG.

5) Suzu - senior dog

6) Chocolate - senior dog who inherited Jasper's wheelchair

7) Whisky - luxating patella and spinal issues

Harper thanks everyone for coming down to support her in this inaugural walk and making it a huge success.

If you have any queries regarding wheelchairs for doggies, feel free to drop us a private message or email hopedogrescue@singnet.com.sg. Not quite the experts but happy to share what knowledge we know. 

Kidney Disease in Dogs

Today, we shall talk about kidney failure or disease. There are currently 4 stages to kidney disease but due to its nature, it is often very hard to catch the initial symptoms. Many times, the dog could be just drinking more (a sign of abnormal thirst) or peeing urine that seems more diluted than usual when the kidneys start to fail. The more telling symptoms such as loss of appetite, weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy only become more apparent when in Stage 3 of the disease, which could be too late. 

Kidney disease is most common in senior dogs

The causes of kidney failure vary as well, from prior serious injury, ingestion of toxic stuff, hereditary etc. As dogs cannot survive without their kidneys, hence if left untreated, dogs with kidney failure will usually die within a short span of time. 

Considering the above, one may then wonder how best a concerned dog owner can try to detect possible kidney issues as early as possible? One way to do this is via regular blood tests. We have previously talked about the merits of having blood tests and ultrasounds done regularly especially if you have a senior dog. Through the blood tests, the vet will be able to advise you if the kidney indicators (BUN, creatinine, phosphorus etc) are within normal levels. It will be good to also specifically request for SDMA reading to be taken as well as the SDMA rises earlier than creatinine and can often give early warning of potential kidney issues.  

Chloe getting subcutaneous fluids at the vet

Even though kidney failure is not curable and often progressive in nature, dogs diagnosed early can still continue to live a quality life through proper management of diet (low sodium, low phosphorus and protein), subcutaneous fluids and regular check-ups and blood tests. So go ahead and book that appointment for the blood test for your furkid.  

Sources:

https://toegrips.com/kidney-disease-in-dogs-stages/

https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/urinary/c_multi_renal_failure_chronic