Dog People - Need Advice Pic Added

[mlheran]

I don't know about her weight, but her claws look very overgrown (which is typical for neglect).

Kudos and good luck!

 

[helmstead]

Quote:
Slap me...I was so busy bathing her and feeding her and treating her wound that I didn't check those. Took a good 1/2" off each one - and there's more to come but she got nervous about it. She's already walking better.

Duh, Kate, Duh...

Thanks!

 

[Mac]

Good that you have her in your care. Things you can do are:

1) Take her to the vet for a complete physical - CBC and urine. Make your appt early in the am, don't feed after the night before (only water). Get a stool sample (even the night before), put in a baggie and refrigerate. Do not allow to freeze. In the am, try to get a urine sample when she squats. I find a top of a plastic disposable container works best. If she squats low (lots of females do) you can slip the lid under her. The first pee in the am is best. Poor it into a clean container and refrigerate til you go to the vet. It doesn't have to be much - maybe only < 1/4 cup.

I can't really see her gums in the pics. If they are white, light blue or basically anything than a nice pink color get to the vet soon. Can't remember after writing this if her temp is normal range - 100.5-102.5. Although she is thin, and needs weight obviously, this could be the least of her worries. Feed her many (4-5 small meals/day) don't load her up on one or two feedings/per day, spread them out not to overload her system. Check the conjunctive tissue in her eyes. This is the white/light beige area you see when you lift up or down her eyelids. Sort of like when you do this to your own eyes. They should be a light pink or a nice healthy white-ish, like your own. NOT gray or bluish.

As far as the "alleged" carcinoma, have your vet do a biopsy, but it could be something very normal and not cancer at all. Trust me on this one, it "could" be cancer, but maybe not. I've lost four Rotties to cancer.

Best of luck- get her to the vet, take stool and urine samples, check her baseline temp at home, feed her many small meals and hope for the best. I certainly am rooting for her and for you guys.

 

[Standard Hen]

Oh Kate she is cute. Mac pretty much said it all. She will have to add weight slowly and I would put her on a good food, preferably a senior feed. But see what the vet says. And you did say that the previous owners did vet her as she had heart guard and all that? Hopefully it will just be a matter of more food. Keep us updated. What is her name?

 

[McGoo]

What a wonderful person you are. I'm sure she's greatful.

It's probably not a good idea to use the feel of the hips... or around that area to determine weight gain/loss, since older dogs tend to lose muscle mass. Insteady I'd suggest feeling her spine. You should be able to feel it, but it shouldn't be totally popped out.

I've got an old gal (Aussie) and she's about 3 feet long and 18-20" high and she weighs 47lbs.

If you can, I'd suggest a full senior vet exam. They are expensive, but worth it. Never really know what's lurking. I've rescued dogs and found one who had heartworm - now that was a big deal. Good news is that after all of that she's healthly and going strong 8 years later.

 

[tiki244]

I would say in between 30-45 pounds like others said to get her checked for worms. I wouldnt try to feed her too much all at once or she could get sick. A good diet will help her also, none of that cheap dog food made out of corn and meat meal(thats the stuff they sweep up off the floor) There are good dog foods out there only a couple dollars more than the" cheap" stuff. Number one ingredient should be some kind of meat (not meal)

 

[picklespickles]

hi. at work so hurrying but in older dog weight loss common due to bad teeth. if had crunchy food before could be one source of problem. good luck

 

[helmstead]

Update!

First off - thanks all for your advice. I was a surgical vet tech for 5 years...so I'm not going into this blind

I've had Clancey now for 5 days. The day I, ahem...stole her...she weighed 18 pounds.

This morning she tips the scales at (drumroll, please) 25 pounds.

So, I think we all have our answer.

I've kept meticulous records to present to my family members when they return from their Princess cruise...SLAPDOWN!

Clancey is loving life here, well, except maybe for the unwanted attentions of a 12 week old puppy. She is completely deaf, I've found. It's such a pain when you aren't used to a hearing impaired dog - I catch myself giving verbal commands! On our final walk of the day last night, she RAN for a few strides in bounding happiness!

Again, thanks all! I will keep you all updated.

 

[jjthink]

Kate, thank you for your kindness. In my dream world, all beings would know safety, love, full tummies, fun times, and good care when ill. Thank you for turning Clancey's life around, and shame on the folks who neglected her.

JJ

 

[hsm5grls]

Great news helmsted..Poor baby Do you get to keep her or is she going back to her old family when they get back? I hope she stays with you as from your post she seems to be very happy with you. Of course we will need updated pics of how pretty she has gotten with your care and a full tummy.