19/09/2026
So I managed to get this big fellow to the vet yesterday. He still cannot jump into the car, wouldn’t use the ramp and had to be coaxed in by me crawling into the back first. He followed me in, but could not get his hind end in. I had asked my neighbor to help and he lifted the hind end in. This dog has some serious trauma from abuse and whipped his head around to bite the neighbor. He didn’t bite him. I had warned him about his trust issues and that he does this head whip and will snap. So off to the vet. He does not do well getting out of the car either, his legs collapse and he falls down. Once inside the vet the the real drama began. Thank goodness Dr. Pena laughs it all off and knows how to handle big dogs. I forgot my phone so I have no photos, and they would not have been nice. Dr. Pena had to put a wire muzzle on him and that of course did not go over well. Dr. Pena picked him up and put him on the table and the crazy behavior continued for awhile. Eventually the dog settled down. With the muzzle as well as the leash wrapped around his nose Dr. Pena was able to give him a good exam. There was a student helping and got his ears cleaned, nails clipped and the matts around the hanging skin on his under side got shaved off. Dr. Pena was able to manipulate the hind legs, lifting them up and extending them back. He went up his spine feeling every bone. He said the hind legs and back are good and x-rays are not required. Good news is his bloodwork is excellent and he has gained 7kg. So his weight has gone up to 27kg. Well done frosty face. He got his vaccinations and was sent home with deworming pills. It was an ordeal and hopefully in time he will learn to trust people again. No bath for the big guy until he settles down more. This behavior is not normal for this breed of dog. I have had several over the years, and all but one have been rescues. He has definitely been beaten and his spirit broken. It is very sad to see a dog that has had this level of trauma. It is definitely going to take some time for him to heal from his past trauma.