I’ve concerns about my neighbour’s dog - looking for advice

[Quigleyandme]

My neighbour is 88 on Tuesday and quite frail. Last October he acquired a rescue dog. Her owner was admitted to a nursing home and a relative of hers had taken the dog in but kept her in a shed whereas she was previously a house dog. When my neighbour got her she was in good bodily condition and had a healthy, glossy coat. I walk Lassie on my days off and as the days lengthen I’ll make sure I get her out more frequently because she loves a walk. I have noticed her getting fatter but today I see her coat is sparse looking, scurfy and dull. I can give her a bath as I have an electric shower in the stables and I can brush her after walks but what, apart from nutritional deficit could cause her coat to look so poor so suddenly and what can I do about it on the QT? She’s fed a Red Mills complete kibble as far as I know. Apart from bathing, brushing and possibly worming is there a supplement she would readily take from my hand? I know a poor coat is indicative of poor health but she has plenty of energy and is her usual jolly self and I‘ll hopefully get her weight down again with more frequent walks.

 

[Sandstone1]

Can you get her to have a vet check? Has she got fleas? Could be anything really so a vet is your best bet.

 

[PapaverFollis]

Edit. Sorry, misread post.

 

[Quigleyandme]

Can you get her to have a vet check? Has she got fleas? Could be anything really so a vet is your best bet.

No fleas. I had a good look today.

 

[skinnydipper]

My neighbour is 88 on Tuesday and quite frail. Last October he acquired a rescue dog. Her owner was admitted to a nursing home and a relative of hers had taken the dog in but kept her in a shed whereas she was previously a house dog. When my neighbour got her she was in good bodily condition and had a healthy, glossy coat. I walk Lassie on my days off and as the days lengthen I’ll make sure I get her out more frequently because she loves a walk. I have noticed her getting fatter but today I see her coat is sparse looking, scurfy and dull. I can give her a bath as I have an electric shower in the stables and I can brush her after walks but what, apart from nutritional deficit could cause her coat to look so poor so suddenly and what can I do about it on the QT? She’s fed a Red Mills complete kibble as far as I know. Apart from bathing, brushing and possibly worming is there a supplement she would readily take from my hand? I know a poor coat is indicative of poor health but she has plenty of energy and is her usual jolly self and I‘ll hopefully get her weight down again with more frequent walks.

Could be hypothyroidism. I think thyroid function test would be the way to go..

 

[Parrotperson]

my concern would be what he's feeding her. at 88 he could be getting confused and not feeding there correct amount of the right stuff. bless him nit his fault and bless you for caring. vet is a good idea for a general check over if nothing else.

 

[AmyMay]

Have you chatted to the owner about your concerns?

 

[Sandstone1]

You need to rule out any health related problems first. Thats why you need a vet. It may or may not be illness but you need to rule it out. It could be being over fed and under exercised or it could be a skin allergy, cushing disease or thyroid problems. Anything really.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

She couldn't be in pup could she? We had a little rescue terrier that rapidly started to lose its coat and go very dull and manky looking, it turned out she was in pup. Poor little mite was almost bald by the time she had the litter, but improved rapidly once pups were weaned from her.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I think you need to start with a conversation with the owner.

 

[meleeka]

It could be cushings. It sounds like how my mums dog looked.

 

[FestiveG]

What does the dogs owner say about the dog?

 

[Quigleyandme]

Thanks for your replies everyone. Lassie does not like being out in the rain but I’m going to give her an oatmeal bath this week and a good brushing every time I‘m over there which will be more often now I‘m a bit worried about her. I’ll try talking to Paddy about her diet (she has free access to a bowl of food all the time whereas I would feed her a measured amount twice a day) and I’ll take her to the vet if her skin doesn’t improve. Paddy is a caring and kind soul but he is a confirmed soap dodger. A bath and clean underwear every so often and everyday wear is a greasy, stained suit and wellies. Mrs Jingle and the other Irish HHOers will know the type. He keeps the house tidy enough but wouldn’t see any merit in changing the bed linen even if he was able for it. His wife is in a home as she has dementia. I would say the dog eats a lot better than him too. It’s a bloody wretched business getting old.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

Mrs Jingle and the other Irish HHOers will know the type. He keeps the house tidy enough but wouldn’t see any merit in changing the bed linen even if he was able for it

For sure, I have not one but two neighbours that come under that umbrella, decent folk but very, very difficult to help in some circumstances. I hope you get to the bottom of it.

We now assume any rescue that comes our way needs checking for pups first and foremost, then spaying when healthy enough. But your neighbours one isn't a stray, but there is still a huge reluctance to spay or neuter I find. One neighbour tells me it isn't 'natural' to spay his female cats, when his 50 odd half feral cats and kittens are walking around with sticky eyes, lice and flea ridden half bald coats and numerous injuries is, apparently, natural! I have given up on that one.

 

[Quigleyandme]

Well, I now know why Lassie suddenly had a poor coat. I was walking her this afternoon and a friend who looks in on Paddy most days found him giving her a hair cut with scissors. I really don’t know why because she has (had) a fine, silky coat with no matting or anything. Our friend asked why Paddy didn’t take her to the groomer but that is apparently too expensive and would anyway be a completely alien concept to a very elderly man who rarely washes himself or his clothes. Anyway, the shine is starting to come back through and she is fine. She is such a dear little dog and it’s a relief to know she isn’t poorly or malnourished.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

I am so happy to read your update Q - poor little dog, the indignity of her silky little coat being randomly chopped about by an old man with a pair of scissors! If that is the worst she suffers then she is very lucky indeed.

 

[Parrotperson]

Oh bless him. It’s such a horrid thing getting old. And doing it on your own. I’m glad he has you though. And glad lassie is ok.