As the title states, I recently rescued a puppy (seemingly full blood lab based on ad, webbed feet, facial features, etc...). He was "supposed" to be 8 weeks old. I received him and immediately knew she was lying. The puppy weighed 3.6lbs Saturday June 30th and was grossly covered in a layer of fleas. I have been feeding him canned puppy food mixed with milk replacement formula and a handful of dry. He has a full set of teeth and currently weighs 4.6lbs as of tonight (July 3rd). That's 1lb in a few days...
I also noticed that he had worms last night and ran out to get worm medication. I am getting his vaccinations started this weekend as well. My question regards what some experienced lab owners know about avg. weight with age. I think the little guy was taken from the mom WAY too soon (~4weeks) and I got him when he was around 5-6weeks old. He is never the less underweight. Since putting on weight he's become more energetic and playful with our older girl Belle.
I'd appreciate any insight or recommendations... I apologize if I'm violating protocol or rule, this is my first post.
Thanks
P.S. - I have pictures of Nero in my gallery if you'd like to take a look and see if he's developing ok and verify the lab features.
Malnourished Puppy rescued from a Puppy Farm
Started by ItemN9ne, Jul 03 2012 08:42 PM
5 replies to this topic
#2
-
- Members
-
- 2,325 posts
Moderator
- Gender:Male
- Location:Spring, Texas
- Interests:Anything aviation and dog training.
Posted 04 July 2012 - 03:35 AM
You are fine on the protocol for this website, don't worry. You pretty accurately described the problem.
First of all, this pup will need to be seen by a qualified veterinarian for a complete diagnostic check up.
Giving an over the counter worming agent to a pup this young could do more harm than good. And Parvo is a big killer of pups this age. During your visit the vet will tell you what you can feed him to make sure he has the proper nutrition.
Thank you so much for rescuing that pup. That was very kind of you. There are so many people out there in the "dog business" just for the money. But if you do it properly, there is very little profit. It's more than just having a litter and selling the pups. A LOT more to it.
At least you got the pup at an age where this experience won't necessarily alter his personality.
First of all, this pup will need to be seen by a qualified veterinarian for a complete diagnostic check up.
Giving an over the counter worming agent to a pup this young could do more harm than good. And Parvo is a big killer of pups this age. During your visit the vet will tell you what you can feed him to make sure he has the proper nutrition.
Thank you so much for rescuing that pup. That was very kind of you. There are so many people out there in the "dog business" just for the money. But if you do it properly, there is very little profit. It's more than just having a litter and selling the pups. A LOT more to it.
At least you got the pup at an age where this experience won't necessarily alter his personality.
#3
-
- Members
-
- 4 posts
Puppy Black Lab
Posted 04 July 2012 - 10:56 AM
You are fine on the protocol for this website, don't worry. You pretty accurately described the problem.
First of all, this pup will need to be seen by a qualified veterinarian for a complete diagnostic check up.
Giving an over the counter worming agent to a pup this young could do more harm than good. And Parvo is a big killer of pups this age. During your visit the vet will tell you what you can feed him to make sure he has the proper nutrition.
Thank you so much for rescuing that pup. That was very kind of you. There are so many people out there in the "dog business" just for the money. But if you do it properly, there is very little profit. It's more than just having a litter and selling the pups. A LOT more to it.
At least you got the pup at an age where this experience won't necessarily alter his personality.
Thank you very much for your reply. However, I've already given the little guy the de-wormer but only half the "box prescribed" puppy dose to get him to Saturday. He's shown no signs of regression with either his appetite or playfulness. If anything it's steadily improved from the moment we got him. He's continued to gain weight and I've been in constant back and forth contact with the vet. The dewormer shouldn't do anything to the puppy as he's old enough to have teeth as long as I partitioned the dose per the vet anyway. In addition to Parvo, a check-up, etc.. I need to get him a shot for the flatworms this Saturday. Due to the excessive amount of fleas and poor conditions of his previous environment there is a high chance that he has them as well.
Does anyone happen to have a ballpark on when I should expect to see bounds of growth? I know when we got Belle (our 1.5year old) she was 12 weeks old and HUGE. Patience is a virtue, I know. Just hated to see the little guy so bad off and want to get him back to "normal."
Also, we got him again malnourished and covered in fleas. He had patches of hair missing and really dry flakey skin. It seems to have improved and I hope its from the fleas and dehydration but I'm not certain. Does anyone have experience with this scenario and lab puppies?
Again, Thank for the insight and assistance.
Attached Files
-
Nero.PNG 442.46K
7 downloads
-- ItemN9ne --
#4
-
- Members
-
- 2,325 posts
Moderator
- Gender:Male
- Location:Spring, Texas
- Interests:Anything aviation and dog training.
Posted 04 July 2012 - 02:08 PM
Sorry to say but "being in contact with a vet" is not the same as seeing one in person.
I have dealt with a LOT of pups in the condition you describe through my work at our county animal shelter.
Things to watch out for:
Distemper
Parvo
Flea Bite Dermatitis (which you probably already have a bit of)
Demdex mange (very common from puppy mill dogs)
Internal parasites (you seem to be getting a handle on that)
From reading your posts so far I can't really determine exactly how old your pup is. I think he's 4 weeks old but has all his teeth is contradictory.
First things first. This is how we handle it at our shelter:
1st thing, give the pup it's vaccinations. In the poor condition you currently have this pup has a depressed immune system and is at risk for Parvo & Distemper both airborne type diseases. All the food you give this dog in the world won't do it a bit of good if it comes down with either of those two diseases.
2nd thing, get rid of the fleas. You can do this with a puppy flea shampoo. Are you keeping this pup in your house or in a pen in the back yard? I don't recommend that he spend much time out in this heat!
3rd thing. Take care of the nutrition. I would feed canned puppy food for at least 10 days and then slowly switch to a dry food of high quality. Don't use any Diamond Pet Food branded dog foods.
After accomplishing those items all you can do is sit back and socialize this pup and have fun with him.
Please keep us posted on how he is doing..
I have dealt with a LOT of pups in the condition you describe through my work at our county animal shelter.
Things to watch out for:
Distemper
Parvo
Flea Bite Dermatitis (which you probably already have a bit of)
Demdex mange (very common from puppy mill dogs)
Internal parasites (you seem to be getting a handle on that)
From reading your posts so far I can't really determine exactly how old your pup is. I think he's 4 weeks old but has all his teeth is contradictory.
First things first. This is how we handle it at our shelter:
1st thing, give the pup it's vaccinations. In the poor condition you currently have this pup has a depressed immune system and is at risk for Parvo & Distemper both airborne type diseases. All the food you give this dog in the world won't do it a bit of good if it comes down with either of those two diseases.
2nd thing, get rid of the fleas. You can do this with a puppy flea shampoo. Are you keeping this pup in your house or in a pen in the back yard? I don't recommend that he spend much time out in this heat!
3rd thing. Take care of the nutrition. I would feed canned puppy food for at least 10 days and then slowly switch to a dry food of high quality. Don't use any Diamond Pet Food branded dog foods.
After accomplishing those items all you can do is sit back and socialize this pup and have fun with him.
Please keep us posted on how he is doing..
#5
-
- Members
-
- 4 posts
Puppy Black Lab
Posted 04 July 2012 - 06:50 PM
Thank you for the suggestions.
I am very aware that email is not the best but seeing as that I'm in grad school full time, until this Saturday, that will have to do.
I wish I could tell you I knew how old the little guy is... We've contacted animal control and the police about the issue. That's really all we can do. We rescued him and hopefully shut it down. Now, he has from his K9's forward and a few of the back teeth. There are a few in between these groupings that look to be coming in. He is 5.0lbs which is 1.4lbs up from when we got him 4days ago.
I'm feeding him Purina One Pro Plan Puppy food (Soft/Wet) in a can with Milk Replacement mixed in and a few pieces of Pro Plan dry mixed in.
The vaccinations are scheduled to be done this Saturday, as explained above that's the earliest the vet can see me given my schedule.
As far as the fleas go, I was told by several people that flea shampoos, sprays and "treatments" can kill him if they are used on him while he is this young. Therefore, I've washed in a few times (every other day, since the day I got him) with dawn soap. I've also combed him several times a day with a flea comb. I would say that 95% of the fleas are gone but I do find the occasional one behind his ear or between his toes.
Lastly, I am most certainly not leaving the dogs outside haha, topped 105 the day we got him. I'm dealing with the trial and tribulations of crate training! FYI I'm not leaving him in all day, girlfriend stays with him and Belle most of the day. We are building his time up an hour at a time. God I hope he gets used to it soon. Learns that whining and barking = nothing. Something about that noise turns minutes into hours lol.
Thank you guys for all the help/suggestions/advice. I really appreciate it and Happy July 4th!
I am very aware that email is not the best but seeing as that I'm in grad school full time, until this Saturday, that will have to do.
I wish I could tell you I knew how old the little guy is... We've contacted animal control and the police about the issue. That's really all we can do. We rescued him and hopefully shut it down. Now, he has from his K9's forward and a few of the back teeth. There are a few in between these groupings that look to be coming in. He is 5.0lbs which is 1.4lbs up from when we got him 4days ago.
I'm feeding him Purina One Pro Plan Puppy food (Soft/Wet) in a can with Milk Replacement mixed in and a few pieces of Pro Plan dry mixed in.
The vaccinations are scheduled to be done this Saturday, as explained above that's the earliest the vet can see me given my schedule.
As far as the fleas go, I was told by several people that flea shampoos, sprays and "treatments" can kill him if they are used on him while he is this young. Therefore, I've washed in a few times (every other day, since the day I got him) with dawn soap. I've also combed him several times a day with a flea comb. I would say that 95% of the fleas are gone but I do find the occasional one behind his ear or between his toes.
Lastly, I am most certainly not leaving the dogs outside haha, topped 105 the day we got him. I'm dealing with the trial and tribulations of crate training! FYI I'm not leaving him in all day, girlfriend stays with him and Belle most of the day. We are building his time up an hour at a time. God I hope he gets used to it soon. Learns that whining and barking = nothing. Something about that noise turns minutes into hours lol.
Thank you guys for all the help/suggestions/advice. I really appreciate it and Happy July 4th!
-- ItemN9ne --
#6
-
- Members
-
- 2,325 posts
Moderator
- Gender:Male
- Location:Spring, Texas
- Interests:Anything aviation and dog training.
Posted 05 July 2012 - 12:06 AM
It sounds like you are doing a pretty good job so far.
And I am very glad to hear that you are keeping him inside too. That heat is terrible, I'm glad you still have power!
But seeing as you are from a southern state (I know which one) I have found that lots of people there just keep their dogs outside full time. Sometimes they just let their dogs roam the neighborhood and other times them put up a dog pen (like a large cage) in their yard and keep the dog in there most of the time. Neither situation is good for the dog either. You should see how many dogs we bring in from backyards on 100F days where they had no water and no shade. The sun down here is brutal. So I had to ask that question about where you are keeping your pup.
I work as a behaviorist in a large county shelter just north of Houston. My experiences have shown that most people in the south just treat their dogs like a piece of livestock, not a member of the family. The things I see and hear from people on a daily basis would curl your hair. You try to educate these people and it just goes in one ear and out the other. They were raised that way and can't help themselves and are unwilling to change.
Of course not everyone in the south is like that. I have come across some very conscientious and responsible dog owners here too. People who are truly devoted to their dogs.
You sound like a responsible person and I am glad that your pup found you. Did you report the mill where the pup came from? What did the authorities do about it? We frequently come across these puppy mills in our area and the police are usually pretty good about shutting them down and bringing the owners into court on animal abuse charges. But all to frequently all they get is a small fine and are let go. We need to have stronger laws concerning these types of operations.
And I am very glad to hear that you are keeping him inside too. That heat is terrible, I'm glad you still have power!
But seeing as you are from a southern state (I know which one) I have found that lots of people there just keep their dogs outside full time. Sometimes they just let their dogs roam the neighborhood and other times them put up a dog pen (like a large cage) in their yard and keep the dog in there most of the time. Neither situation is good for the dog either. You should see how many dogs we bring in from backyards on 100F days where they had no water and no shade. The sun down here is brutal. So I had to ask that question about where you are keeping your pup.
I work as a behaviorist in a large county shelter just north of Houston. My experiences have shown that most people in the south just treat their dogs like a piece of livestock, not a member of the family. The things I see and hear from people on a daily basis would curl your hair. You try to educate these people and it just goes in one ear and out the other. They were raised that way and can't help themselves and are unwilling to change.
Of course not everyone in the south is like that. I have come across some very conscientious and responsible dog owners here too. People who are truly devoted to their dogs.
You sound like a responsible person and I am glad that your pup found you. Did you report the mill where the pup came from? What did the authorities do about it? We frequently come across these puppy mills in our area and the police are usually pretty good about shutting them down and bringing the owners into court on animal abuse charges. But all to frequently all they get is a small fine and are let go. We need to have stronger laws concerning these types of operations.
0 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users
