what would you do? (serious answers only please!)?

Question

i found a stray dog (sherpherd mix) he is about 1 or 2 he weighs about 55 pounds (very very skinny) but should be around 70. he has been to the vet and tested heartworm positive :( also has all kinds of intestinal worms. he also had some green mucus coming out of his nose but no eye discharge coughing or fever. the vet warned me he may have distemper and is running a test. he is on dewormer and antibiotics for the nasal discharge. he is such a picky eater which is suprising considering he probably ate garbage. i have been feeding him cooked ground beef and chicken breasts because he wont eat wet or dry dog food! he is such a sweet dog and i just want to get him well! has anyone else had a similar experience? any suggestions..

thanks for everyones input!! here is a picture of "rowan".... http://www.dogster.com/dogs/464827/sniff

Answer 1

Did the Vet prescribe Vitamins for him? If not, you may ask him/her about it..They would probably help his appetite pick up a little.... just looked at your picture....He is adorable!! Looks pretty good from the pictures...I hope everything goes well for you and him...pat him on the head for me!!!

Answer 2

Yes. We found an English springer spaniel at a truck stop years ago. He had all kinds of worms, including heartworm, and a nasty cut that was infected. We fixed him up (and got him fixed), and he lived a happy life with us for 10 years.

At first, he wouldn't eat dog food either. The vet told us that when he was a stray, he ate more like what wild dogs would eat. Dog food is not something a stray dog is going to encounter in the wild. He probably won't eat it because he doesn't know what it is. We mixed wet dog food with the chicken and beef, and slowly changed the mixtures until it was all wet food. We started with wet food because we figured it was most like the garbage :o). Then we did the same and mixed wet food with the dry food.

However, our dog didn't have distemper. I sincerely hopes he doesn't, and if he does I hope he can pull through it. Best of luck to you!

Answer 3

From what I can tell you dont need any answers. You have done everything by the book. You obviously love animals and care for this dog.

Taking it to the vet was the first best step and getting his problems treated and having him tested for other dangerous illnesses.

You are taking care of his feeding, although I wouldn't spoil hm too much a dog needs some dry food for roughage just as we humans do and all dogs will become picky if you allow them to.

If you can't find his true owner and he gets a clean bill of health re the distemper then I think he has been lucky in finding you and you will probably end up with a loving pet.

Well done.

Answer 4

You deserve a pat on the back!! As for now say he doesn't have distemper (cross that bridge when you get there, and if he does when he goes he will know someone DID love him b/4 he goes over the rainbow bridge). Ask your vet for some nutri cal. Also ground turkey is better than ground beef even better is canned Mackerel. You do need to get him on dry food eventually, start by adding 1/4cup to the mackerel/turkey/beef, and when he eats the 1/4cup move to 1/2cup and so on until you have him on a full 2cups dry 2x's a day. Also give him some cottage cheese and yogurt (heaping spoonful w/ every meal) As for the dry food you are going to feed try SolidGold, TimberWolf, EaglePack, or Purina One (listed best first) Do not feed Iam's, Eukanuba, Pedigree, etc.

Answer 5

Hi there.....those symptoms are so strange....and its amazing that he is still alive with all those problems. I hope that he gets well. I had a puppy when I was young that had a nasal infection and had the mucus thing too and he ate till he puked then did it again. He ended up with ear infections too.....Its really hard to see animals in pain but seems like you did a good thing by taking him to the vet......but if his condition gets too bad you might have to put him down. I say get that gravy stuff in the packet and put it over the food and microwave until slightly warm.....mix with a small amount of ground beef or chicken and each day slowly put in less and less human meat. Also get a good brand of dogfood like pedigree and mix with the pedigree chunk beef soft food. My dog was having a slight appetite problem recently but when I started doing that she began to eat more. All you can do is try. Good luck and I hope he gets better!

Answer 6

Good for you!! It sounds as though you've done everything that you can possibly do. Thank goodness there are good hearted people like you in the world. I hope that Rowan will be okay, and that the distemper test comes back negative. Whatever happens in the long run, though, one way or another, I believe that you will be rewarded for your kindness...

By the way, Rowan is beautiful. He looks a lot like the wonderful dog that we adopted this past summer when my older dog died. All the best to both of you!!

Answer 7

Give him lots of love.

You can keep him away from other animals, and quickly clean up after him. But he will be a health threat to all others. He will need to be treated for the heart-worms, though only a otherwise healthy dogs could live through the treatment.

Talk with your vet. The best way to love him may be by being at his side as you let him go (pass on).

Answer 8

I suggest u try feeding the chicken but add a little dry dog food 2 it & c how he eats it. If he does enjoy it then start increasing the dry dog food & decresing the chicken! If he doesn't like this then talk 2 his vet & get ideas from him!! Good Luck!!

Answer 9

Congrats of rescuing a dog in need!! =D
Sad to say if your dog has distemper, then he has to be humanly euthanized. You can not treat distemper, and if they do, then most dogs come back a few months later fully paralysed.

It's something you have to consider, you have to make the right decision for your dog.

Good luck, hope everything goes well for you and your dog.

-Danny

Answer 10

God Bless You! You are building your treasures in heaven were moths and rust doth not corrupt. (sorry to preach, lol) He probably won't eat dog food because he likes the real food much better. (I have a dog like that...she's spoiled) And you don't have to give him breast meat, they like the dark meat and guts and skin just as well (and its cheaper). I feed mine rice and potatoes and anything that doesn't have a lot of stuff in it...ya know, kinda natural. Just love him. He may save your life someday.