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Shirah - a puppymill rescue

Discussion in 'Rescue Stories' started by romeosangiovese, Apr 30, 2010.

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  1. romeosangiovese

    romeosangiovese Forums Enthusiast

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    We are currently fostering a sheltie at the moment. She was rescued from a puppymill recently (along with another male sheltie and over 70 other dogs). She along with the others are all breeding stock sold by a farm owner to a group of volunteers because he was closing down (he had bought over the farm a few months ago but then wasn't making money). Regardless of the criticism received for paying this person for his dogs, at the end of the day, 70 over lives were saved. Otherwise their fate would have been starvation, drowning, or cycle after cycle of breeding with another puppymill. Oh, if you were wondering the authorities DID go down to inspect, but gave their approval and didn't think anything of the appalling conditions of the place and the dogs! :mad:

    Shirah, the sheltie with us, is as big as Romeo height wise (Romeo's about 16.5 inches to the withers) but she's half his weight! She's only 5kg! You can feel every bone in her body. When I stroke her I'm afraid I'm bruising her bones. She looks like a US/Can sheltie. She's alert and loves people despite what some have done to her. She's about 3 years old I think. She's anemic too - her gums are extremely pale. But her zest for life is amazing. She's got great appetite and wags her tail every time she sees us and I mean whole-butt-wiggling-wag. It really breaks my heart to see her and think of what she might have been through. She's got food resource guarding towards dogs, but I think this may be because if she didn't fight for her food, she didn't eat. And I think she must not be too good a fighter and just didn't get enough until she kept getting weaker and weaker.

    Anyway, she's confined to a small area now so she doesn't move too much and over exert. She's also separated from Romeo & Juliet because Juliet's too young and immunity hasn't fully developed. Romeo can't fall ill either coz he'll just pass it to her. Also, Shirah has mild tick fever. She has been put on Revolution and has been to the groomers to be deticked but I want to be safe not sorry! She's upstairs whereas the kids are downstairs. When Shirah is better and is given a clean bill of health, we'll let them play.

    I was told to give her Science Diet but I'm skeptical. I feed my dogs raw food and I know that nothing beats that! I've been giving her some beef liver and made meatballs of spinach + Vibrant Pets + Diatomaceous Earth (for internal parasites should she have any). I want to put her on raw totally.

    She's also on the following meds:

    Vibravet
    Famoc
    Prednisolane
    Apo Sucralfate
    Heparite

    Anyone knows what these do? The dogs were sent en masse to the vet and it's difficult to get detailed info (considering the number of dogs and the seriousness of their problems).

    Anyone's got any other tips or comments on whether I should be doing/not doing something? I want to see Shirah gain some weight and get well soon. The poor dear has been through way too much.

    Oh yes! It was discovered that some of these dogs might have been pets at one stage. It is likely that the puppymill owner may have responded to people putting their purebred pets up for adoption (after they lose their puppy cuteness) and taken the dogs to the farm as breeding stock. What a terrible reminder that you can never be too sure about the people who enquire about adopting!!

    Oh lastly - pictures! If you look closely (you really don't need to) you can see her ribs, her hip bone, her spine etc)

    http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr348/rusalkimc/shirah1.jpg

    http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr348/rusalkimc/shirah2.jpg

    http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr348/rusalkimc/shirah3.jpg
     
    romeosangiovese, Apr 30, 2010
    romeosangiovese, Apr 30, 2010
    #1
  2. corbinam

    corbinam Moderator

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    What a sad story--but with a happy ending. That's awesome that you were willing and able to take her in. Sending good thoughts to you and Shirah!
     
    corbinam, Apr 30, 2010
    corbinam, Apr 30, 2010
    #2
  3. SheepOfBlue

    SheepOfBlue Premium Member

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    Southern middle TN
    All things considered she looks decent. With some food and care she is going to be spectacular! As to raw consider that she is not going to be your dog :wink2: So how many adopters are going to feed her raw? I would pick a good bag food and there is a higher likelihood that she will continue to get that in her new home than raw. Further by having 'her' food they might just continue it vs go to the grocery store when they transfer her from raw.

    Good luck and keep us updated.
     
    SheepOfBlue, Apr 30, 2010
    SheepOfBlue, Apr 30, 2010
    #3
  4. ClantyreSheltie

    ClantyreSheltie Forums Sage

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    Baltimore
    Good for you. I'm glad her temperament is good.

    The DE is perfect for this application, and go ahead and feed her raw. Get her in the best condition you can, as safely as you can. You don't want to put the weight on too fast, so raw will be good for that too. Maybe whoever gets her will see how good she looks and keep with it.

    As to the drugs, I asked the Google :)
    Vibravet - Antibiotic, in the doxy family (good for tick borne stuff)
    Famoc - don't know
    Prednisolane - maybe a prednisone generic? If so, it's a steroid
    Apo Sucralfate - treat stomach ulcers? dogs get ulcers? There must be another application.
    Heparite - something herbal
     
    ClantyreSheltie, Apr 30, 2010
    ClantyreSheltie, Apr 30, 2010
    #4
  5. Justicemom

    Justicemom Forums Celebrity

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    Minnesota
    Ah poor baby. 5kg for 16.5 or so inches. :eek2: That is less then little Ember weights.

    Like Rachel said

    Vibravets is doxycycline it is for the tick fever

    Famoc is famotidine. It's a H2 blocker used for treating ulcers/gastritis. It Pepcid in people.

    prednisolone is a steriod. Prednisone is converted to prednisolone in the liver. So it the same drug but doesn't need the liver to work.

    Apo Sucralfate is a stomach coater. It bonds to areas of ulceration and protects it and also helps with nausea.

    Heparite is a herbal liver spupplement. It contain milk thistle amoung other things to promote liver health.

    I don't know if they did blood work with that many dogs but:

    Tick borne disease cause alot of immune mediate hemolytic anemias. Since her gums are so pale they are most likely treating her with the Doxy for the tick fever and steriod to treat IMHA if they know she has it or because she might.

    Steriods can cause stomach ulceration so the Famoc and Sucralfate is to protect her stomach. Maybe she had gastristis already I don't know.

    Steroids can also affect the liver. Usually not a big deal short term. So they have her on the Heparite to help protect it. Possible she could have some liver issues already, don't know.

    My guess is the main problem is tick fever and stomach and liver drugs are procautionary drugs. Since she is eating, calorie intake is the most important thing right. The more digestible, the better. Small frequnet meals are best 4-5x a day. Dogs that have been starved don't digest big meals well at first. Feed the amount for the weight she should be maybe 10-13kg to start at 4%. The menu I'll leave to you.:wink2:

    Sending prayers for a fast recovery and some weight gain.:smile2:
     
    Justicemom, Apr 30, 2010
    Justicemom, Apr 30, 2010
    #5
  6. SheltieChe

    SheltieChe Forums Sage

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    thank you for saving a puppy, from what it looks she would be gorgeous when she is well... great sign she has good appetite- she should be better in no time...
    can not offer any advice except doing what you think is right.... I think raw is best I also feed my dogs raw and know from my friends that most dogs that fed raw do develop "cast iron stomachs" and can eat pretty much anything... so if she will have to be transitioned later on to whatever her new owners will decide it would not be a problem IMHO...
     
    SheltieChe, Apr 30, 2010
    SheltieChe, Apr 30, 2010
    #6
  7. Megansmom

    Megansmom Forums Sage

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    My hat goes off to you for saving this wonderful Sheltie :yes:. With lots of TLC she'll be the girl she was meant to be!
     
    Megansmom, Apr 30, 2010
    Megansmom, Apr 30, 2010
    #7
  8. BarbV

    BarbV Forums Celebrity

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    Bless you for stepping up! You are a good, good person!

    5kg is shocking! And virtually no coat to speak of? Was she shaved? Is that why is it so short.

    I've not doubt with your loving attention, this girl will turn around, since it seems like she has the foundation already.

    Best of luck to you and Shirah!
     
    BarbV, Apr 30, 2010
    BarbV, Apr 30, 2010
    #8
  9. Lahree

    Lahree Forums Enthusiast

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    God Bless you! I truly wish we had the means to take in a rescue. If I win the lottery, I would have a haven for Shelties. I am so happy for your little girl!
     
    Lahree, Apr 30, 2010
    Lahree, Apr 30, 2010
    #9
  10. Justicemom

    Justicemom Forums Celebrity

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    If she was having puppies, she most likely blew all her coat. Pretty normal. But she so underweight,she has no reserve to grow it back.:(
     
    Justicemom, Apr 30, 2010
    Justicemom, Apr 30, 2010
    #10
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