bully baby

Question
QUESTION: we just got our 7-8 wk green eyed,boxer/bully mix.she came from a small rescue,that is also a pet supply and does the spay/neuter in store.i have 2?? 1.she has been fed Prarie venisen adult hardw/some soft mixed while at the shelter(they also made me buy a bag in order to adopt her),was supposed to have had any shots/wormings.she seemed to have adapted to adult food but i felt that she needed puppy vitamins & want to switch to a good food.before i could start(after having her 1 day)she started sleeping more&more and had a runny nose that has gotten worse.she has has a couple loose stools but not bad,sneezing bad,jerking(not like a bad dream) when sleeping just in last p.m.,has been drinking (while awake) but has lost interest in food.i live in small town-this is wkend & a holiday mon.so i may not be able to find vet if needed. what do you think is wrong & what do i do if i can't get a vet.(can't get anyone from rescue to call me back!)2.is it safe to have her spayed at a place like this?we are just recooperating from losing our best friend after 12 yrs.we CANNOT go through that again-please advise what to do...

ANSWER: Ok Reese, I think I have the picture.  How about getting some cottage cheese/ the lower fat kind... Give her a few tablespoons of this 2 x per day.  Also, mix the adult dog food ( wet it with some water) and cook up some white chicken.... Mix the chicken into the dry kibble with a little water.  She should take this for you.

Also, for the loose poop please get some PURE canned pumpkin - give her two big tablespoons of this 2 times per day.

Please get her to a VET on Tuesday.  Get a good base line check up on this new kid.  If she stops eating or drinking call an emergency vet right away.

You can also get some Pendylite into her.....The kind for kids - electrolyte solution.  ( if she stops drinking you can force feed her the pedylite with a syringe.


Remember, she is young and has gone through much stress with the new family.  

Let me know how she is tomorrow...

BEST of Luck

Ask the Pet Nurse
Marie Peppers LPN MA
mtnmom@gci.net

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: HI!YOU ASKED ME TO LET YOU KNOW HOW THINGS WENT. THEY ARE MUCH BETTER!JUST THE PUMKIN ALONE SEEMED TO DO THE TRICK, BUT WE DID THE REST, JUST IN CASE.SHE KEEPS GETTING THE RUNNY NOSE AT NIGHT,SO I THINK IT MAY BE ALERGIES,CAUSE THAT IS WHAT I DO AT TIMES-LOL!ONE THING THAT HASN'T CHANGED,HER MOM WAS NOT AROUND(THEY DIDN'T MAKE CLEAR WHETHER SHE DIED OR THEY JUST GOT RID OF THE PUPS)BUT THEY WERE RAISED AT THE SHELTER.NOW,SHE SEEMS TO NOT WANT TO BE AWAY FROM ME.SHE DOESN'T WANT TO EAT UNLESS I STAY THERE,AND SOMETIMES I HAVE TO LITERALLY PET HER, OR HOLD THE FOOD IN MY HAND.WHEN SHE GETS READY TO SLEEP,IF SHE IS PLAYING W/THE KIDS,SHE LOOKS FOR ME&/OR WHINES UNTIL I PICK HER UP&LET HER CRAWL UP NEXT TO MY NECK OR UNDER MY ARM &SLEEPS.I FINALLY GOT HER TO STAY W/THE KIDS A LITTLE AT NIGHT BY TAKING HER BLANKETS & KEEPING THEM W/ME ALL DAY SO THEY WOULD SMELL LIKE ME &BUYING A COUPLE OF STUFFED ANIMALS.I AM TOLD TO EXPECT HER INSECURITY BUT I DON'T KNOW FOR HOW LONG OR WHAT TO DO TO HELP AND I REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I DON'T ENCOURAGE HER TO STAY THAT WAY.IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR THAT I WOULD APPRECIATE IT TOO.THANK YOU SOOO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!!!!I FELT LIKE A FIRST TIME MOM AGAIN!LOL!!AS MY KIDS WOULD SAY,"YOU'RE THE BOMB!"

Answer
Hi - This baby is new and you can't love him enough right now...
You may want to go over to the Dog Behavior experts : read over what they tell new puppy parents...
LOTS of Q and A to look over :
see here:
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Canine-Behavior-3553/indexExp_100709.htm

AND good Luck!!!