Quote:
Originally Posted by brandwashed  My cousin pasted away and my aunt couldn't take the puppy to her senior housing community, so I have her at the moment. We have no idea how old she is, or if she has been vaccinated. The only thing we know for sure is that she feeds her Purina Puppy Chow (which i'm sure isn't good for her) because we saw the bag when we were packing up her belongings.
I haven't had a dog in YEARS so i'm totally unsure about what my next steps should be. I have read several forums that debate grain vs no grain dog foods and now i'm totally confused. My cousin loved her dog and I want to make sure that I am providing the best life for her that I can.
1) Will the Vet be able to tell what shots she has/hasn't had?
2) What food would you suggest?
3) How do I get her to feel comfortable at my place? (she is hiding on the side of the sink and when I went to pick her up she snapped)
4) Why hasn't she used the bathroom since she has been here?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. |
Question 1): What you can do is ask for titering to be done on the puppy. And you should bring her into the vet ASAP. For a general health check and an age estimate. The titering will show if and what some/not all vaccines that have been given. How-ever if you can find the previous vet, they should know exactly. There is an article in here on titering; you can find it in the library
If your cousin is on facebook you might be able to find out if she posted about buying/getting a new puppy.
Also the person who is responsible for your cousin's estate, might find documentation, ownership papers, cancelled checks that might shed some light on where your puppy was taken for vet care. Surely you aunt must have some rough idea when your cousin first got the dog.
2) The food you choose what-ever brand you decide upon, should be introduced gradually.
3) That poor gal, is lost, confused and scared. Her owner is gone, she is with a stranger in a strange house.
Is there anyway you can get her doggy bed, toys, crate from your cousins' house? That will help a bit.
Don't try to pick her up yet, unless it is really really necessary...like taking her to the vets!
Place a warm blanket on the floor of the room you are most frequently in. Let her settle there. Someplace she is safe from traffic flow, yet she can see you, and hear you.
If she is outdoor trained, take her out every 3hrs or so, and try to set a schedule a routine that she can count on.
Do you know if she is outdoor or peepad trained? Not going to the washroom can be a sign of the fear she is in, and or, she is used to going on peepads, and you have none available, or conversely going outside and you expect her to use peepads.
She needs a harness right away with a lead...hopefully you were able to find one at your cousin's house. Normally they are kept, logically by the door one usually exits the home.
Take some time, several times each day, to get down on the floor, some distance away from her bed/where she is resting. Have yummy treats, and or a toy. Gently with soft and happy voice, play with the toy or show her the treat, and call her to you.
It will take some time for her to adjust to her new owner and environment.
Does she have a crate? This is safest form of transport in the car/bus; you really do need to take her to the vet.
It would really help if you could find out the name of her vet.
Once again welcome; and I am sure there will be others along shortly to give you some suggestions.