I Don't Know What To Do! Please help!

[Rozie]

OK. So my neighbors used to own a sweet, elderly Lab named Scout. But for some reason last year they just disowned him, and he's been wandering around the neighborhood ever since. Well I thought he was fine until yesterday my friend and I were walking around and he ran up to us looking for food and I noticed how ematicated the poor guy is. I mean, he's supposed to be and 80 pound dog, but he couldn't have weighed more than 50... We took turns carrying him home. He seriously looks like a Halocaust survivor... His hips are sticking out all funny and it doesn't look like he has an ounce of fat on his bones. So we gave him the last of my dog's food, and the last of her treats... And some bread, but it took him a while to get it all down (bad teeth i guess?) and he never finished the kibble.
Well we had to take him back to his "home" (original owners) because my mom doesn't want to take care of him, and we can't afford to take him to the vet. Anyway, I talked to another one of our neighbors and they said that they've been feeding him for the last YEAR, but he never gained any weight. They think he's just getting old (they're pretty old theirselves!) and he won't last much longer, and they certainly can't afford to take him to the vet, but I know a 15-year-old black lab that looked better than he does. So I guess he has worms or something? I don't know. He really needs to be taken to the vet, but I've asked around and no one is willing to pay... I don't know what to do. I plan on taking him to the neighborhood vet today, even though he specializes in horses, and asking if he can help. And if that doesn't go work, then I guess I need to have a little chat with the original owners. What do you suggest?

[Buddy'sParents]

I suggest calling AC and get that dog taken care of.

[AgilityPup]

I would take the dog to the vet, and send the bill to the "owners"... It's a pitty some people can be so stupid.

You've got to remember, that if his food has been cut down REALLY bad for the last year, his stomach has probably shrunk, and you'd have to slowly up the amount of food he eats.... Good luck!

[Rozie]

Gah, I really want to help him, but I don't think AC is the right option. If they did anything, they would tow him down to that retched HS where he would die anyway.

I would send the bill to the "original owners" but there is no proof of ownership other than our word. He doesn't have a dog liscense and I don't think he has any papers.

[Buddy'sParents]

Well, then it appears your options are limited. You can take him to the vet yourself and pay for it or you can call AC. What about local rescues that might be willing to help?

[Rozie]

I'd pay for it personally, but I am seriously broke. But I guess I'll carry him to the vet clinic and get an estimate.

EDIT: And then I can take him to the "original owners" and guilt them into paying the bill. They're nice people, the kind of people that you would never think would abandon their loving dog.

[bubbatd]

Could you have a talk with them and suggest Petfinder if they don't want him ? Hesure needs some TLC !! Poor boy !!!

[Rozie]

I guess I could mention that too.

[Rozie]

So I looked all over for Scout but I couldn't find him, until he started barking at my from his original owner's back yard. So I had a talk with them and they claim that they've tried different foods and medications but they can't figure out what's wrong with him. Oh yeah, and he's thirteen years old. But I still can't understand why they let him wander around in below freezing temperatures when he's as old and sick as he is.

[angelzeus]

i suggest that you call your local human society or whom ever takes care of those things in your area talking to the owners is not going to help something has to be done right away from the way you say this dog looks good luck and i wish you and the dog the best

[Sweet72947]

Being an old dog, he could have kidney problems or hyperthyroidism, or diabetes. My cat had hyperthyroidism and we tried lots of stuff including a holistic vet (that charged out the wazoo) but he still looked like a horribly neglected cat until we had to put him down. That dog needs a senior blood panel done to determine what his illness is. And if you call AC and they put him down, at least he won't be suffering anymore.