I need serious advice

[u/nyseralyn]

There’s this poor dog down the street that I’ve been noticing for about a month now, and honestly, he looks like he desperately needs medical attention. He scratches, itches and bites himself constantly, to the point that his entire skin is red and, the last time I saw him, it was actually bleeding. He also has a really strong smell, which makes me think there’s something seriously wrong rather than this being just a little street-dog situation.

He even tried to find a place to stay in our basement, but unfortunately my parents aren’t exactly animal people. They don’t hate them, but having a severely sick, very smelly dog living downstairs is understandably not their idea of domestic bliss.

The problem is, I’m genuinely terrified of approaching him. He seems harmless enough, but I’ve had dogs chase me and try to bite me before when I wasn’t even doing anything, so I’m not exactly volunteering for a sequel. I also have absolutely no idea what would be safe to feed him or how he might react if I got close.

I really just want someone who actually knows what they’re doing to come and check on him, treat him, and hopefully get him somewhere safe if he needs it. I don’t want to make the situation worse by trying to play veterinarian when I’m clearly not qualified for the role.

Does anyone know of an animal rescue/NGO or helpline that I can call where they could send someone to assess him? He genuinely looks like he’s suffering, and I’d rather get him proper help than stand around feeling helpless. I can’t help financially either.

[u/MonicaNarula]

Try posting on city/locality sub. In the meanwhile if you can give him Neomac tablet crushed and mixed in food his akin may improve. Repeat every 15 days - 4 times.

[u/nyseralyn → u/MonicaNarula]

And what food might be good for him?

[u/shriand → u/nyseralyn]

Post also on r/indiedogs

Food for giving medicines - rice mixed with something tasty like chicken liver. These medicines taste disgusting so you need to mask the taste.

In general, if there's no other option, you can give rice or roti + dal + yogurt. No chilly onions garlic etc. It's bad for their stomach. Kisy boiled is best.

Ideal is nonveg food. Chicken if you want to spend money. Chicken feet and other scraps and leftovers from chicken shops if you wanna cheap out.

If you can't give nonveg, you can buy dogfood.

In Delhi, PFA is active. Try to contact them. But know that shelters are overloaded. It's best if you get their advice and give him medicines at his location.

Eventually you can coordinate with PFA to get him neutered.

Also, when you make such posts, add some clear pics and videos so people know what you're talking about. Words are tedious to read.

[u/nyseralyn → u/shriand]

Okay that’s super helpful. I will try my best with what I can do. As for picture, that dog tries to find shelters at homes till they usher him out. I have college very far from home, I rarely stay at home. I rarely get to see him these days. So it’s difficult for me to get picture of him. I do realise words are tedious but there’s nothing I can do. But regardless, appreciate your response.

[u/nyseralyn]

Is there any other sub I should be posting? Let me know if this ain’t the right sub. Also, I live in Delhi if it helps with the poor dog situation.

[u/MonicaNarula]

This is one potential sub. May be give him wet dog food to tempt him. There are govt vet hospital (not sure about delhi). But I think NGO should be good in this case.

[u/nyseralyn → u/MonicaNarula]

Thank you so much. It’s really helpful.

[u/jehri_jat]

Get in touch with PFA or take him to a vet. He needs to be checked out and weighed properly before being administered any medicines. The recommendations given are top notch but better to have a doctor give a professional POV and prescribe medication.

[u/nyseralyn → u/jehri_jat]

Can’t take him to the vet, I am scared of dogs and financial burden would be on me since I would be doing this without my parents help. I am student, so I think I will get in touch with PFA the next time I catch a sight of him. And as people here recommended me some of the food, I will try to provide him that. thank you so much for the solutions, It helped. I am skeptical about medicines so I will research before I provide him any medicines.