Tiny Senior Dog Was Nearly Euthanized Because She Couldn’t Move—But Rescuers Discovered Was Heartbreaking
Penny, a tiny senior dog, was just days away from being euthanized at an overcrowded shelter in Los Angeles. But the Beagle Freedom Project (BFP) refused to let her story end there. They rescued her, determined to give her the second chance she so clearly deserved. (Watch Video Below)
@beaglefreedom BEFORE ➡️ AFTER Remember Penny? 🐶💛 When BFP rescued this sweet, senior girl from an overcrowded Los Angeles shelter, vets feared she was suffering with a neurological issue, leaving her mostly immobile…. But, the simple and heartbreaking truth was that years of neglect allowed a treatable case of dermatitis to become so severe that Penny was unable to move without experiencing horrific pain. 💔 Thanks to BFP’s Save Our Seniors program, Penny was able to enter a loving foster home & receive the urgent care that she needed to make a complete— and lifesaving— recovery. Penny’s foster explained, “I’ve fostered dozens of dogs, but Penny’s story will always stand out to me. I can’t fathom how anyone could have ignored the suffering of such a tiny, loving soul for so long, to only finally take action by abandoning them at an open-intake shelter where the risk of euthanasia is so high… Even after being failed by humans before, Penny still greeted every member of my household (both human and animal alike) with kisses, cuddles, and trust. It was such a special journey to watch Penny heal!” As animal municipal animal shelters face budget cuts & overcrowded facilities, thousands of animals are more at-risk than ever before. BFP is committed to helping senior, medical-needs animals, but we need your help! By supporting BFP’s Save Our Seniors program, you can directly aid BFP’s efforts to save the lives of deserving animals who are so often overlooked. We thank you for your compassion for animals in need ❤️ Visit bfp.org/save-our-seniors to learn more. #SaveOurSeniors #BeagleFreedomProject #SeniorDogLove #AdoptDontShop #RescueDog #sheltercrisis #losangelesanimalservices #fosteringsaveslives #dogrescue #animalrescue #adoptionsuccess ♬ original sound – Beagle Freedom Project
At her first veterinary exam, the toll of years of neglect became painfully evident as her skin was raw and infected. Penny hardly moved, prompting concerns of a possible neurological condition. But further evaluation revealed the heartbreaking truth: she wasn’t paralyzed—she was in agony. A severe, untreated case of dermatitis had made even the smallest movement excruciating.
Second Chance at Love and Care
Penny’s condition demonstrated that she had hardly known any love and care in her previous life. Fortunately, all that changed when BFP found her a loving foster home through their ‘Save Our Seniors’ program, which provided her with the urgent care she desperately needed to survive.
To help with her dermatitis, the senior canine received medicated baths and pain relief medications. As a result, slowly but surely, Penny recovered. Once too afraid and in pain to move, Penny was now running, playing, and snuggling into beds—proof that her suffering had finally eased.
Her foster parent shares her heartfelt feelings about Penny:
“I’ve fostered dozens of dogs, but Penny’s story will always stand out to me. I can’t fathom how anyone could have ignored the suffering of such a tiny, loving soul for so long, to only finally take action by abandoning them at an open-intake shelter where the risk of euthanasia is so high… Even after being failed by humans before, Penny still greeted every member of my household (both human and animal alike) with kisses, cuddles, and trust. It was such a special journey to watch Penny heal!”
Help More Seniors Like Penny Find Their Happy Ending
After making a full recovery, Penny found the loving forever home she had always deserved. Now renamed Eve, she’s finally experiencing the pampering and affection that were missing from her early years.
The team at Beagle Freedom Project couldn’t have hoped for a happier ending. By sharing Eve’s journey, they hope to inspire others to support their Save Our Seniors program, so more senior dogs like her can get a second chance at life. Visit this link to learn how you can help make that happen.
Pet Rescue Advocate Rocky Kanaka remarks, “When I look at Eve’s transformation, I see more than just a rescued dog—I see resilience, forgiveness, and the incredible impact a little love can make. She may be a senior, but her new life is just beginning. Every dog deserves that kind of ending.”
Dermatitis in Dogs
Eve’s skin problems may have made you wonder about dermatitis in dogs, what it is, what its symptoms are, and its treatment options. Let’s learn about the condition in detail.
Dermatitis is a broad term that describes inflamed, often itchy skin in dogs. Veterinarian and Associate Professor, Dr. Domenico Santoro, states, “Essentially, it just means inflammation of the skin, which is about 90% of what we see in a multitude of diseases.”
Signs and Symptoms of Dog Dermatitis
According to canine researcher Caroline Coile, dermatitis in dogs often starts with itching, scratching, and excessive licking or biting. This can lead to secondary bacterial infections, causing small, pimple-like bumps that erupt, crust, and scale. As the condition progresses, the skin may become painful, leak fluid, and even shed dead tissue.
If left untreated, the affected area can thicken, darken, and develop a strong odor. You might notice scaly skin, pus-filled blisters, scabs, hair loss, and discharge. Keep an eye out for these signs to catch and address the issue early.
Causes of Different Types of Dermatitis
Dermatitis in dogs encompasses various conditions with different causes. Here’s a breakdown of some common types:
- Irritants, allergies, and systemic diseases can trigger conditions like atopic dermatitis in dogs, flea allergy dermatitis in dogs, and food sensitivities.
- Infections from bacteria, viruses, parasites (like mites or fleas), or fungi (like yeast) can also cause dermatitis.
Specific types of dermatitis include:
- Ear mites: Contagious mites that thrive in dogs’ ears, especially in puppies.
- Hot spots (pyotraumatic dermatitis): Result from underlying issues like flea bites or pyoderma, leading to bacterial infections.
- Malassezia dermatitis, or yeast dermatitis in dogs: Caused by yeast overproduction on dog skin.
- Mange: a skin disease caused by mites, with two types – demodectic and sarcoptic mange (canine scabies).
- Pyoderma: A bacterial skin disease with various forms, often caused by Staphylococcus bacteria.
- Seborrheic dermatitis in dogs: A condition where skin renewal happens too quickly, often due to hereditary or underlying medical conditions.
- Skin allergies (allergic dermatitis): Reactions to flea bites, food, or environmental factors.
- Walking dandruff (cheyletiella mites): Contagious mites that cause skin irritation and can live off a dog for up to 10 days. Each type requires specific treatment, so accurate diagnosis is crucial.
Dermatitis in Dogs Treatment
Dog dermatitis treatment depends on the underlying cause. As per a Reddit user, u/Indojulz, “AD (atopic dermatitis) is a lifelong and chronic disease that often needs to be managed with meds and topical therapies. If your dog has environmental allergies, doing allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) will help treat the root cause of the allergies.”
Your vet may prescribe medications like antihistamines, steroids, or antibiotics to address symptoms and underlying causes. Treatment may include:
- Topical sprays or shampoos to soothe skin and reduce itching
- Antifungals for yeast infections
- Antibiotics for bacterial infections
- Flea and tick preventatives for flea allergies
- Miticidal shampoo and environmental treatments for mites
- Regular cleansing and oatmeal-based shampoos to soothe irritated skin
In some cases, referral to a veterinary dermatologist may be necessary for specialized care.
Additionally, newer anti-inflammatory medications are helping dogs with dermatitis find relief. Options include Cytopoint (lokivetmab), a long-lasting injection; Apoquel (oclacitinib), a daily oral tablet; and a new liquid form of cyclosporine. These treatments target itching and inflammation. For determining the best treatment option, consult your vet.
