Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: doog on 30 June 2010, 23:19:39

Title: any knowledgeable dog owners on here ?
Post by: doog on 30 June 2010, 23:19:39
Someone in my street used to have a lab but gave it away about a year ago.
The dog appeared at my back garden yesterday looking extremely thin so i fed her and gave her a drink as i was quite disturbed by the condition of the dog.

While the dog was eating her food her "owner" appeared and i challeneged him about the condition of the dog and i had already decided i wasnt giving the dog back to him and i would phone the sspca when he left

However he told me a story about the dog being at the vet recently about its inability to gain weight and had been de wormed etc and he seemed very believable that and the fact the dog was pleased to see him and was in no way afraid of him or jumpy
I returned his dog to him as i have no right to keep the dog from him.

Now i am feeling very very guilty as i think i may have done the wrong thing.


Please see pictures and tell me what you think
I know its not a dog forum  but  i thought this would be as good a place as any to ask.
 I am really beating myself up over this.

Doug


(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg174/r0x0rz1337/lab%20pics/IMG_0032.jpg)

(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg174/r0x0rz1337/lab%20pics/IMG_0040.jpg)
Title: Re: any knowlagable dog owners on here ?
Post by: tunnie on 30 June 2010, 23:22:48
does look thin for a lab, but worms can be a serious problem for dogs and can affect their weight.

Its a good sign dog was pleased to owner  :y
Title: Re: any knowlagable dog owners on here ?
Post by: hotel21 on 30 June 2010, 23:23:45
Labs have a heart that is massive and will sustain no end of ill treatment by their owner and still come back for more.

To me, that hound is very underweight.  A view of the ribs is perhaps to be desired but far too much of a slope away into the gut region, IMHO.

SSPCA, without question, if the hound is now back with the owner....   :y
Title: Re: any knowledgeable dog owners on here ?
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 30 June 2010, 23:32:25
I agree, speak to the RSPCA and let them know your concerns, along with any details on where the dog resides :y :y
Title: Re: any knowledgeable dog owners on here ?
Post by: hotel21 on 30 June 2010, 23:32:26
Additional post to clarify....

Perhaps the hound was given away and it has now, in true Hollywood/Lassie style, managed to travel a few thousand miles across America to meet 'Dad' once again.

Or perhaps not.... :-?
Title: Re: any knowledgeable dog owners on here ?
Post by: Del Boy on 30 June 2010, 23:36:04
I would ring the RSPCA to get the dog checked out  :y
Title: Re: any knowledgeable dog owners on here ?
Post by: tunnie on 30 June 2010, 23:36:51
i would still urge caution, his coat is in good condition, teeth look good. He could have a genuine condition with regards to weight loss.

Might be worth ring to local vets to check out his story?
Title: Re: any knowledgeable dog owners on here ?
Post by: hotel21 on 30 June 2010, 23:42:54
The body language of the hound, to me, reads as a less than happy hound.  Yes the coat seems quite fine but the tail is well down in both pics.  Could be an underlying problem ( as mine has at the moment) but, all things considered, report to the SSPCA and let them investigate rather than become directly involved yourself....
Title: Re: any knowledgeable dog owners on here ?
Post by: markspark on 30 June 2010, 23:45:25
if the dog has had a good eat and drink at your it will do it no harn at all, the fact its eating is good sign. i would now just 4ne or go and see the rspca and take the pics along with you and im sure they will understand your concerns i really can't see the local vets giving out any info on the dog ask the rspca to report back to you with there findings
Title: Re: any knowledgeable dog owners on here ?
Post by: same #same# on 01 July 2010, 01:30:41
i have two dogs and never would let them go that way one was from rspca, and was badly tre't and holiday farm, other one was dumped and just jumped in car when i go it phoned rspca and said if i could look after him, now had him over a year, they found him and he had 9 dogs and was not allowd to own a dog by cour years ago, both are loverly but our first dog dose not like kids or other dogs out side she tuck to the one that got in car and one found gose every were with me I would phone rspca, worming tabs dont do that to dogs it not being feed thats whats wrong with it, plus worms you would see a buldge on there bum hole as they force out the skin.
Title: Re: any knowledgeable dog owners on here ?
Post by: Banjax on 01 July 2010, 07:39:37
wouldn't hurt to voice your concerns to the SSPCA and let them take it from there, looks very underweight for a Lab - especially as they easily get tubby 
Title: Re: any knowledgeable dog owners on here ?
Post by: Dishevelled Den on 01 July 2010, 09:07:46
That dog certainly looks under-weight and although it's difficult to tell by looking at static photographs, it looks stressed.

Was the 'owner' sufficiently approachable for you to call by to see how the dog is doing or, can you catch a glimpse of it on your travels to get the morning paper?

Irrespective of any potential consequences - conflict with the 'owner' and so on, I think it's reasonable to alert the SSPCA as the dog can’t do this itself.  I would imagine they're more than diplomatic enough to approach the 'owner' in the right way.
Title: Re: any knowledgeable dog owners on here ?
Post by: Lazydocker on 01 July 2010, 09:22:24
I agree... No harm in voicing concern, although the owner will know it has come from you.
Title: Re: any knowledgeable dog owners on here ?
Post by: Plomien on 01 July 2010, 09:52:16
Quote
I agree... No harm in voicing concern, although the owner will know it has come from you.
but then if its genuine then they won't mind, you are looking after the animals welfare :y
Title: Re: any knowledgeable dog owners on here ?
Post by: cleggy on 01 July 2010, 14:53:47
I have two labradors, both different sizes, but the recommended maximum weight is 30 Kg, the yellow one is slightly over that with the chocolate one slightly under, but one looks fat the other a lot thinner. I do think that the one photographed is underweight, and that is a concern, you should be able to feel the ribs, not see them.
The advice already given to contact the SSPCA is good, and can do no harm, it may give reassurance to both you, and the current owner
Title: Re: any knowledgeable dog owners on here ?
Post by: mudflap on 01 July 2010, 16:08:33
Looks quite skinny compared to my sister's Lab, he eats too much and is on a diet - if the dog is eating and not in any apparent pain could be worth RSPCA looking for something hidden, dull eyes and fur/sores are also good indications of poor health, and hardening of the kidneys is a common problem.  :-?


Title: Re: any knowledgeable dog owners on here ?
Post by: johny5 on 01 July 2010, 16:18:53
According to my mrs who is a doggy person:
in my opinion, that has nothing to do with worming as having worms 99% of the time actually bloats a dog rather than cause imaciation. I've seen dogs beaten to within an inch of their lives returned to their owners with the ever wagging tail. The Rspca have their hands tied.

There is so much red tape and also they work obviously WITH the police and proof would need to be aquired before they can remove a dog from a suspected cruel home.
Title: Re: any knowledgeable dog owners on here ?
Post by: Amigo on 01 July 2010, 20:53:35
I've just phoned Dad in Sussex. Please bear in mind he's 80 years old & a retired vet who still has black labs. Once he had his google page up i directed him to this post as a guest to get his opinion. He found the forum guidelines & asked "The boy, who the bloody hell is he?" Sorry Jaimie, i did explain your existence & purpose on the forum!!! Dad read the posts & basically without being able to examine the dog agreed with Broocie (had to explain your handle & status as well) but did add that being a young bitch if not spayed was she in season when she ran away? OOF dog pups in a few weeks???? :-/
Title: Re: any knowledgeable dog owners on here ?
Post by: FoxyV6 on 01 July 2010, 21:09:10
Unless that dog has been diagnosed with kidney trouble i would ring the sspca. that dog is severly underweight for a lab >:( I used to see dogs like that when i worked with Dobermann rescue. if it was kidney trouble surely if he had been to the vet it would be on a course of treatment now :(

the thing with dogs is, no matter how cruel their owner is they will always be happy to see them , its no indication of being treated well. better still ask to see what bills he has from the vets >:(
Title: Re: any knowledgeable dog owners on here ?
Post by: Amigo on 01 July 2010, 21:44:02
Dad also said if in any doubt as to the dogs welfare contact SSPCA. He wished he could examine her.
   Me, i reckon she's in calf, has a loving owner & we'll have lots of silly daft puppies soon!!! (well i hope so) :D