A skeletal dog covered in scabs with acute hair loss due to suffering from an horrendous untreated skin condition has undergone an amazing transformation and is now loving life in her new home. Lola was in such a terrible state that when an RSPCA rescuer first saw her she had no idea what breed of dog she was. She described her appearance as though she ‘had almost given up life’ and her awful skin disease made her ‘look as though her head had been dipped in concrete’ (pictured). Animal Rescue Officer Krissy Raine was sent to a filthy property in Durham in January last year (2024) following a report to the RSPCA’s cruelty line regarding concerns for a neglected Japanese Akita dog seen at the house. The owner eventually allowed her to see Lola and Krissy recalled how shocked she was from her ‘broken’ appearance and she was whimpering while laying in her own urine, surrounded by flies in a filthy house. Krissy said: “She was emaciated, with her ribs, hips and spine visible and most of her fur was missing. She also had thickened scabs completely covering her face and ears, there was blood, puss and scabs all over her face, body and tail. “It was an horrendous sight and it sounds awful to say but she just didn’t look like a dog at all - it was like nothing I have ever seen. “She hung her head low, her eyes were sunken in and she looked depressed - it was like she had almost given up on life due to the suffering she was having to endure. She was existing, she wasn’t living. “There was an overwhelming unpleasant smell from her wounds and I really could not tell what breed of dog she was with all the scabs covering her face. It looked almost like she had dipped her head in concrete - it was so bad.” Krissy was given permission by Lola’s owner to rush her for emergency veterinary treatment. Krissy said: “I had to get her into my van so I could rush her for help. She would cry when she was touched from the pain and she was so hot from her inflamed skin. It was really upsetting and I have to say at that point I really did not think she would make it. “I called ahead and told the vets I was coming and told them to prepare themselves for a really upsetting case.” The vet had to sedate Lola to examine her as she was in so much pain when touched and the vet said she had one of the most severe cases of sarcoptes mites she had ever seen which had left most of her body hairless due to her continuously scratching and her skin thickened and crusty. These mites bury into the skin and live off fluid that seeps out of damaged skin. The body reacts to secretions of the mite with an allergic response of the immune system, which causes intense itchiness. The skin tries to heal itself by thickening and in chronic cases will produce the crusts and secondary infections as seen in Lola’s case. Due to this continual itching Lola was suffering from lack of rest as the constant itching meant she would have been unable to sleep and was unable to feed properly because of this. She was given a body condition score of 2/9 - a normal score would be 4/5 - and she weighed 23.8kg. The vet said it is likely Lola had been suffering for months. The following day Lola again had to be sedated so she could be treated and bathed to remove as much of the dry skin scabs as possible and relieve her itchiness and was given anti-itch medication. This continued for eight days and she was sedated each time she needed a medicated bath as her skin was so sore. Then when she was well enough she was placed into the care of RSPCA Felledge Animal Centre for ongoing treatment where her true dog breed was finally evident and soon she was ready for rehoming. Krissy said: “I went to check on Lola’s progress at the centre a couple of weeks later and they brought a Japanese Akita dog to me. I said ‘that’s lovely - can I see my dog now’ I had no idea it was her she was completely different! I was in tears seeing her so normal and happy. “She used to have a blank stare and terror in her face but now she seemed happy and her personality was coming out. Day by day more personality came out - and also a bit of attitude - but it filled me with so much joy. I really didn’t think we would save her when I first saw how bad she was.” The animal rescue charity is highlighting the story of Lola and how her life was changed around so positively as new figures reveal that animal neglect reports are at a 5 year high with reports rising by 28% last year* with 17 reports of neglect coming in every hour the cruelty line is open. And with charity rescuers braced for a further surge in reports over the Winter months, the RSPCA has launched an urgent appeal - The Big Give Back to Animals - in the hope of raising vital funds for its frontline officers. In July Lola was adopted by Alison Ranger (65) a retired carer who lives with her disabled husband Alan near Durham. Alison had a terminally ill pet dog called Zuri who she had adopted from Felledge before and she had seen Lola on their website and thought she was lovely. She said: “When Zuri passed away I looked again and Lola was still available - so I did think well maybe this is meant to be. “I went to see her for the first time at the centre and the staff said no-one had shown any interest in her during the six months she had been there which made me sad. She just had this look about her which said ‘look at me and please love me’ but she was also quite aloof at first. “As she was an older dog aged about nine I thought no-one else is likely to want her and I knew her background so decided after all she has been through I should give her that chance of a new life. “For the first two weeks at home she didn't really engage with us much - she stayed on the edges of our life just watching but one day I just saw the penny drop for her. She softened and really came out of her shell. Then she decided it was nice to have affection and treats and enjoy walks. She is now so settled and well behaved and gives a lot of love. “My husband is disabled and she loves going into his room and giving him fuss and it is great company and affection for him too. She is very laidback and really a lovely dog.. “She now really rules the roost and has decided the spare bedroom is her bedroom. She has brought so much joy to our lives. Having a dog like Lola gives you a reason to get up in the morning - especially as she loves her breakfast so I don't have a lot of choice! She is perfect and fits into our life so well.” Krissy said: “I have never seen a dog in such a state as Lola. It really is a miracle she survived and is thriving - I am so thrilled to see how happy she is and how much love she gives and gets in return. It really makes my job so worthwhile. “This is why I would urge people to support the RSPCA’s The Big Give Back to Animals to help other pets like Lola escape from such awful situations and give them a happy life. I would also urge people to look at adopting pets from rescue charities like the RSPCA as you can help transform their lives and they will also positively transform yours.” Two people were convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to Lola and were disqualified from keeping all animals for five years. Featuring: Lola after her recovery from her debilitating skin condition. Where: Durham, County Durham, United Kingdom When: 23 Dec 2025 Credit: RSPCA/Cover Images **EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED SUPPLIER.**