Dog Community

Suggestions for rescued dog

Posted : 6/11/2006 5:52:24 PM

Hi everyone, I've been searching previous

osts trying to find an answer so I apologize in advance if this has already been discussed and I didn't locate it. I've owned cocker's for 17 years and recently adopted my first rescue. My new guy, Austin, was located in a horrible shelter in southern Texas in February and brought to Kansas City by a dear friend of mine. Austin, is about three years old and has had a whole slue of ailments with the most serious being high worm burden heartworms. Additionally, he was not neutered and has had issues with his prostate since he has arrived. Austin was neutered almost three weeks ago, and will receive his next heartworm treatment this week. He will have a final treatment next month. Austin has only been with me for two weeks, and I know he is still a sick little guy but overall he has adjusted to his new home and brother and sister very quickly. Austin has a really sweet personality and doesn't hesitate going in his kennel.

My concern is this - his digestive system is really messed up. He can have a perfectly normal stool, have horrible diarrhea, then have normal stools the next time...all in the same day or day in a half. Magnum is my old guy so he has a special food. My vet believed Austin would do fine with Eukanuba, which is what I feed Bailey. He loved it and was fine for a few days, then started having problems. Austin was checked Wednesday for a virus or parasites, and doesn't have any, so his food has been changed to something else. He eats very quickly, and I've stated hand feeding him so he will eat more slowly. I know changing food can cause loose stools, but I've never seen anything like this before! He isn't getting any treats, even with his most pathetic look.

I know Austin has been through an incredible amount and was a very sick boy when he was rescued. Is this something that would be considered normal for what he has been through, his health and the treatment he is currently receiving?

kennel_keeper

Posted : 6/11/2006 7:29:29 PM

WOW, what a handsome boy!!!!

I think he is going to take some time to adjust to the new "life" you have provided him with. I am sure that his previous life was so horrendous, that now living the "good life" is going to cause his abused system some di-stress. I would probably avoid to many switches right now and see if his problems level off.
You can add some canned pumkin to his diet to see if it helps. If it persists, then I would say another vet visit to check for coccidia. Keep in mind too, that some time, fecal exams don't always show up positive for parasites when they are indeed present.

Congrats on your new boy and welcome to the board!!! [

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Cocker Mom

Posted : 6/12/2006 12:26:55 PM

Thanks, I think he is quite handsome myself!! [sm=happy.gif] Austin will have his last treatment for the adult heartworms starting tomorrow, so I will try the pumpkin when he returns home in a couple of days. I've heard of giving it to pets before, just didn't know why. He is slowly gaining weight, only weighs 20 pounds now. How much would you suggest I give him so that won't cause him problems? Thanks for your assistance.

Margaret Tyler

Posted : 6/15/2006 5:40:52 PM

So he's still on heart worm meds? That is probably what is causing the occasional diahrea. I bet that a week after his last dose that you won't have this problem anymore.
Like any dewormer, heart worm meds flush dogs out.