Sick or just frightened?

[Laura]

I got a little girl last week. She belonged to the daughter of a friend. When she came to visit, she was appauled that her daughter had this little dog, poop everywhere in the apartment. It seems she had been letting her eat catfood or scraps. She had found her almost a year ago and kept her. She reported that she was a pup and not potty trained, "they had never bonded."

Her mother brought her to me. She didn't have any front teeth, she seems perfectly potty trained. I took her to the vet on Monday as she would not eat. He checked her for worms and guessed her to be at least 6 due to tarter buildup on her k9's. She is 8.3#s. I don't believe she has been fixed.

My house is large with a large backyard. There are five adults (I call the other four that out of courtesy), 5 yorkies (one very bossy), and 2 cats here. I say so you can consider the intimidation factor from moving from a small apartment where she apparently seldom left.

All this before I begin. The vet got her to eat a little prescription from a can. I bought 2 cans, but she never ate another bite of that. I fed her turkey (sandwich slices) 2 ea, 3x for 2 days. I let her go a day without food, started her on nutrical (also taking kropectolin from the vet) Her stomach seems very tight. She will eat a very little bit. She always drinks water. She poops about once a day, the color was red clay (not blood), now getting darker. She seems very lathargic.

[Patti]

Poor baby. I am happy she is in good hands. Hopefully she will settle in and start eating.

[Laura]

Thank you, I am so sad for her. I'm really getting worried about her. I am thinking of taking her back to the vet tomorrow for a blood workup. It will be about $150. I am just not sure if she should be getting more perky, or if it is just a big change. Should I give her the weekend ???

[mscat]

I think it would be a good idea to take her back in. There might be some underlying health issues going on with her. I hope she starts feeling better. I am glad she is in very good hands.

[Wylie's Mom]

Hmmm, really tough to say what could be going on with this precious baby. So wonderful that you have her.

It's a big adjustment and dogs do get depressed, so partly it could be that. But, given the sort of neglect she came from and questionable eating and health care - who knows what may be wrong.

I don't think I'd give her turkey slices though bc they're probably very salty and contain a lot of preservatives or other things that may make her sick. To stimulate her appetite, you could even give mashed potatoes or white rice. You could home cook some meat or fish, but I don't really recommend prepared meats. Otherwise, if you could get some quality canned foods like Wellness, Natures Variety or something, that would be good.

Do you mean her tummy feels "hard"?

I think given her history, I'd probably get a basic chem panel if it were me.

[Laura]

Her stomach does feel hard and seems swelled. I was afraid she might be pregnant, by who knows what. But her teats do not show signs.

I am not feeding her turkey any more, you are probably right. I actually was trying to find anything she would eat. She would not eat cheese, soup, carrots, bread - I was offering everything. I bought every sort of canned dogfood, mostly turkey, chicken and lamb types. Some she will eat a couple of bites. She will eat the nutrical only because I am putting it on her feet and she cleans them off. She screams if I try to open her mouth to put the dropper for the medicine in. Now I just squeeze it in the side. Sometimes I think her legs hurt.

I am probably just getting paranoid because the weekend is coming. I just wish she would perk up.

[lucyaboo]

It's seems very sad for the lil doggie, you certainly have saved her from uncertain doom!! I sure hope she gets better.
A couple summers ago, Lucy wasn't feeling well, the vet suggested white rice & boiled boneless chicken breast. She wanted to eat that & did until she felt better.

[leipshen]

I would summize that this little girl's problems are a combination of ...the change she has just gone through, the poor care she had before, nerves, nerves, nerves, her teeth. She couldn't have been very happy or feeling too good before you got her, now add the new environment and her uncertainty over it all and the vet visit , all of it is so much for her.

First..bless your heart for taking her in to love. I was thinking ...I wonder who her original mommy and daddy were when she got lost. How long ago did your friend's daughter find her? I wonder if she ever tried to find the one who lost her? If it hasn't been years (or even if it has) and before you become completely attached, maybe it would be good to try finding the original owner. i know it is a shot in the dark , I just picture that someone could still be broken hearted over losing her. Perhaps she is broken hearted also.

Other than this, how are your other animals taking to her? Are they being friendly or maybe intimidating her? If it was me...I would take her off by herself and sit quitely, talking very soothing and giving her love, give her loads of reassuring love. This will help to calm her heart and fears. i would make sure she is getting plenty of water. As always the great advise of rice and boiled chicken is a good idea. Spend as much time pampering her as you can, don't let the other animals pull rank on her this soon. Let her feel protected by you. I believe she will start coming around. After she is a bit more comfortable, take her on walks...just you two. be happy , hide the worry (they sense it and it scares them) .

You are wonderful for taking on this challenge. You couldn't be in better hands to see you through this ...Than those of YT!!

Hope this helps some, please keep posting updates

Patti

[Mom to Hot Rod]

I wish you well with her. She is in good hands now.

[Mayas Mommy]

The poor sweetheart ... I hope she will be alright in no time .....

[Laura]

Thank you all for your concern and words of comfort. I am happy it is morning and I can keep an eye on her. I think nights and weekends are the worse when you have a sick one. She made a good poop this morning and licked up 2" of nutrical. Then she goes right back to bed. She has chosen our laundry basket to sleep in. I close the door and she seems to feel safest there. She shivers if she is not in there or me holding her. Zoe is my most dominant dog. Callie (I changed her name from Alley Cat) growls at her, which has made her uneasy. I am keeping her harnessed and put a leash when we are walking out back. She is doing the 'stare', which is not allowed - so I am working with her on that and trying to show her extra love.

My mother and I agonize for the poor woman who lost her (that's how we imagine it). I have looked through all the local missing pets things I can find. I am not sure how to find her. It has been about a year, but Callie is at least 6 years old, not fixed, and I don't think she has ever had pups. That makes me think she was loved and cared for. I know she was found in East Plano. I believe she is part Yorkie and maybe part toy fox terrier. She is white with black spots. Her hair shows the signs of malnurishment, so I am not sure how it should look. I shaved her body off short so I could check her out. Her ears are black and short haired.

I am still worried that she is bloated, is there something I can do for that?

I definitely WILL take her to the vet this afternoon or in the morning if she does not improve today. My husband is imagining our dogs are getting disease from her. He keeps making me 'come check Quattro!' I think all mine are fine. But it is an additional worry.

[babiesadie]

I got Sadie a year ago from a friend who had several other dogs and no time to love her properly. She was 3 when she came to us and scared of everything...she shook and shook and was so frightened. I was worried about her because she would not quit shaking! I got her a little brown bed of her very own (it did then and does still seem to make her feel safe) and held her (pretty much) non stop for days. After awhile, she started to come around and now she is the happiest (spoiled rotten) little yorkie!! She even started to like other people besides me...sometimes I get jealous because she loves my husband all most as much...lol She is the light of our lives and I think we are hers! I think if you just hang in there and give her extra love and cuddling until she begins to feel safe, you will see a very happy puppy in the future. I am praying that your story turns out as well as mine!! Good thoughts going your way!!!

[TeresaM]

The 'hard stomach' would worry me. That could be so many things. Did your vet make any comment on it when you had her in to see him? Please keep us posted. Hugs to you for doing this!!

[Laura]

Thanks for sharing your story babiesadie. It is a little comforting.

I am worried about her stomach, the vet did not seem to be. He did give her the prescription for the pink medicine for her stomach (kropectolin).