Dog Community

could really use some help

Posted : 7/29/2006 3:59:13 PM

Recently I received an Italian Greyhound. I posted in the breed section but didn't get much response so I thought I would post here.
Angel is a 6 yr old IG. She has severe tooth decay so badly that the gums are rotting. We are treating this at the moment. Once we clear up the infection, most of her teeth will have to be extracted.
She was passed from home to home and was treated very badly. She had been fed crap food (dog chow) and we have now switched over to Innova canned

lus she is getting her raw meat and also boiled chicken with green beans and peas. I don't know how she managed to eat the kibble because it all falls out of her tiny mouth. Also, she is so very thin. I know this breed is thin to start with she is nothing but bones, no muscle mass whatsoever.
I may be doing this wrong but I have been pretty much feeding her tiny bits every few hours. I really need some advice on how much to feed her and how often. She weighs 9lbs.
She isn't housebroken and we have been working hard on this. I do not scold her when she makes a boo-boo, I just say ewww yucky and explain to her that she has to do this outside. When she does make a mistake, it is a very little spot, it is almost as though she just lets out a bit, thinking that she won't get caught. When she first came and made a boo-boo she was so very scared, as if she was going to get spanked for it. But now she has (I hope) come to learn that she will not get hit and also that she has to go outside to pee.
We have this pretty much under control as she is taken out very often and praised to the stars.
I would like to know what else I can give her because she is so malnurished. I have heard that egg shell powder is very good for the bones. I would like to start her on glucosimine but I am not sure if it comes in powder form or if I should buy the doggie ones and crush them up. I would like to start to introduce these things but I'm not sure what time frame I should be using to introduce each one. I don't want to overwhelm her frail little body.
We are only going for short walks for now(15 min) because she gets tired quite quickly. I can't wait for the day to come when she can run at the park with the other 4.
I am so amazed how the other dogs have taken to her. I think they know she is frail and are so gentle with her. Today she started to do a little rompin in the house with them. Toooooooo cute.
Any advise would be appreciated.
Thanks

Lena (Penny Forever)

Posted : 7/29/2006 7:42:44 PM

Hello, where the heck is everyone.

papillon806

Posted : 7/29/2006 7:46:07 PM

My friend has a rescue greyhound who came really REALLY skinny. She just added cooked brown rice and/or pasta to the dog food and she gained weight in no time (and looked amazing)

dyan

Posted : 7/29/2006 8:09:40 PM

Hi Lena,,,you know,,you are so sweet to be so concerned while trying to figure out to make you new baby healthy. I just know there will be lots of help soon,,, somehow I figured out that on a nice Saturday afternoon,,,there are not too many people on the dog forum,,,but they will be along soon I am sure. I just wanted to tell you how great that you took this dog and are going to give her everything she needs to make her healthy...and say that we would LOVE to see her picture!!!

spiritdogs

Posted : 7/29/2006 8:40:29 PM

Lena, I would just stick to the Innova or Canidae canned. Do you know how much she is supposed to weigh? Go by that in terms of how much to feed. You can add a bit of Nutri-Cal (high calorie paste for dogs who are trying to recover from illness, or gain condition). I will PM you a source for more info.

bunni

Posted : 7/29/2006 10:55:32 PM

I can suggest a good treat to use, I use it with my puppies for their first training: baby food chicken (or other meat). It's very easy for them to eat (from your finger or a spoon) and not bad for them.

jessies_mom

Posted : 7/29/2006 11:34:07 PM

Lena; I agree with spiritdogs; stay with a high quality canned food like Innova. You need to be a little patient; she will gain weight and be healthier but it will take a little time. Bless you for rescuing her and giving her the love and care she needs.

Lena (Penny Forever)

Posted : 7/30/2006 6:09:39 AM

Thank you so much for your tips. Bunni, I will but some b-b food today for her to treat on. Yesterday I had boiled up some chicken breasts for her to snack on and also gave her some tuna. She went bonkers over it.
Is it okay for her to have extra lean ground beef(raw)? I tried her with some this morning and she loved it. I am going to see if she can eat raw beef if I cut it up really finely.
I feel terrible because when the other dogs had their raw lamb bones, she sat there with this sad look on her face like mommy, I want some too. Breaks my heart.
Any suggestions for certain vitamins would be appreciated.
Thanks again

Jada Ciftci

Posted : 7/30/2006 8:18:17 AM

Good Luck with your pup...that was so kind of you to take her in.

agilebasenji

Posted : 7/30/2006 9:27:10 AM

I've been using the pre-cooked meatballs for training treats. You may want to try it; if it does't work you can have meatball sanwiches yourself.

You can also get glucosamine in a liquid form. I've used K9 Liquid Health for years.

agilebasenji

Posted : 7/30/2006 9:27:32 AM

Oh, we also need pics.

Luvntzus

Posted : 7/30/2006 11:02:00 AM

That's awesome that you've given her such a great home! Poor dog sounds like she went through a lot.

I think what you're feeding her is great, you may want to add something like Solid Gold Seameal for some of the trace vitamins and to help with nutrient absorbtion.

I'd definitley love to see pics!!

Lena (Penny Forever)

Posted : 7/30/2006 11:47:00 AM

Tamara,
Where can I buy the Seameal. I am in Canada and hope I can get it here.
Is it a vitamin suppliment?
Thanks

I will post pics next week. My daughter has taken the digital away with her for the weekend.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 7/30/2006 9:39:19 PM

If the vet oks it, I'd try satin balls.

Do check with the vet, though, b/c you don't want too much pain, too fast. Poor girl! I hope she's feeling safe and comfy in her new home.

Lena (Penny Forever)

Posted : 7/30/2006 9:43:16 PM

Thanks Jennie. Could you please let me know what satin balls are so I don't feel totally dense when I take her in this week