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| Breeds like Zara don't need coats! |
I hope I don't see cold-weather breeds like huskies, malamutes and samoyeds wearing dog coats this year, but I know I will. This type of weather is the only time they can really enjoy their thick coats which are specially designed for snow and ice, something we so rarely see in Hong Kong. I do admit that I put on coat on Murphy for the night, and I would do the same for the sharpei types if only they'd let me, but the other dogs are quite happy with their natural furs to keep them warm.
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| Jax will also enjoy the colder weather |
Husky Jax left the Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre today for a trial with the other resident husky, and I hope they get along (we know Jax won't have any problem) because it will mean a lovely home with a big garden to play in.
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| Roley and Jax on arrival |
Jax was surrendered to us with pug Roley, who on arrival was massively overweight because he'd been eating Jax's food as well as his own. We separated them because Jax had become afraid to eat thanks to being bullied by Roley, and both did much better after that. Roley has already shed two kilos, and even though he still has a lot more to lose we can see a real dog shape now rather than a large barrel. Funnily Roley is perfectly fine with all the other small dogs and isn't a bully at all, in fact he's a very sweet boy to everyone, including all humans.
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| Hurry up Cactus, Penelope wants to run! |
The new Frenchie-cross Penelope aka Penny is doing far better than anticipated, and she's happy to play with the other bigger office dogs, or by herself with a ball or toy. Her behaviour issues are really only evident when she sees another dog outside (according to what we were told) but proper training over time should resolve the problem. As always time is the most important thing, coupled with patience, and it's always disappointing to have dogs returned after just a day because they are instantly judged. Of course with a dog like Penelope we need to be sure that the home is suitable and any adopter has the ability to work with Cactus or another trainer to slowly change the behaviour, but we know the right home will come along and we're happy to wait.
Rottweiler Jessica is the dog that was rushed to Acorn on Sunday, and while her condition is improving and she's standing up now she'll have to stay in hospital until she's completely better. Unfortunately she also has heartworm which always complicates matters, and so many of dogs come to us with this problem. Dogs can tolerate having worms in the heart without showing any symptoms for quite some time, but eventually it starts to affect the lungs and cause coughing, as well as permanent damage leading to eventual death.
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| Aiden |
German shepherd Aiden has advanced heartworm as does Doberman Mork, and the newly surrendered shiba inu, now called Bonsai, also tested positive for the disease today. Maltese mother-and-daughter couple have just had their treatment for heartworm, which means either two or three injections of an arsenic-based drug into the muscles of the back, and that means no exercise for six weeks while the dead worms break down in the heart and gradually disappear from the system.
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| Mork |
Treatment is expensive (and in some cases even fatal), and with so many dogs being infected the vet bills add up. That's why we have a dedicated donation scheme to help specifically with treatment costs for things like heartworm, tick fever and surgeries, and you can learn more about this and how to donate by emailing Dana at vetfund@hongkongdogrescue.com or visit our website https://hongkongdogrescue.com/donate/one-off-donations/
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| Sybil and Maud have just had their heartworm treatment |
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