WARNING: This story contains graphic details
A rescued dog with feces-covered fur so unkempt he was unable to see or properly close his mouth has been described by a B.C. SPCA worker as having one of the worst cases of matting she’s seen in her 45 years with the animal welfare agency.
The Labrador retriever poodle mix was rescued alongside 25 cats from a home east of B.C.’s Terrace after the owner put a call in for help, said the organization in a statement.
Eileen Drever, the B.C. SPCA’s senior animal protection officer, said that when staff arrived at the home, the strong odour of ammonia and feces was overwhelming.
“The home was not suitable for animals or people,” she said, in the statement issued Thursday.
The neglected pooch, who was found lying on a mattress in the home’s living area, had arrived at the animal centre terrified, was “trembling, panting, and pacing,” and wouldn’t allow anyone to touch him, said Drever.
He had difficulty moving because of the extent of his knotted fur, and watching him attempt to lie down was heartbreaking for staff because “you could tell the matting was painful,” she said.
“This poor dog’s fur was caked with urine and feces … He was unable to see because of the matting around his eyes, and his mouth was so heavily matted he couldn’t fully close it,” Drever added.
The chocolate-coloured canine was rushed to a veterinary clinic to remove the extremely matted fur via an emergency sedated groom. The tangled hair had caused hot spots – caused when a dog scratches an itchy spot so intensely it creates an open wound – that had become infected. He was also suffering dental issues and an ear infection.
His painful nails were so dramatically overgrown, his toes had become deviated, said Drever.
“It will be a long slow process of paw and nail care before the quicks will recede enough for his toes to correct,” she said.
However, the dog’s disposition changed after his extensive grooming session, with staff noting “a complete change” in the dog post-treatment, said Drever.
“He went from not wanting to be touched, to wanting to be wrapped up in a blanket and held tight,” she said.
“He had been enduring all the extra weight and pressure of his matted fur for so long. It must have been such a relief to feel air on his skin.”
The group of cats and kittens also required various lengthy treatments, and had arrived at the centre “frozen with fear” and with urine-soaked fur, said Drever.
Many of the kittens were noticeably underweight, one of the cats had an untreated rear leg injury, and one kitten was suffering a tennis ball-sized abdominal hernia. One cat was in “critical distress” and had to be euthanized, she said.
All 25 cats and kittens still require spaying or neutering treatments, and several have dental issues.
The cats and kittens similarly warmed up to the staff after they were given time to decompress and eat and, after enduring a treatment process lasting around six hours, had demeanours that were a far cry from the state they had arrived in.
“The cats and kittens soon realized staff were trying to help them and were very brave when they were being examined, receiving treatments, and having their coats cleaned,” said Drever.
They were able to let their guard down to such an extent that several began to lean in for back scratches, and even the most anxious of the cats began to purr, she added.
Denver said the animal welfare agency commends the owner, for recognizing that he was unable to give the animals the care they required and asking for help when it was needed.
