Shirah - a puppymill rescue

poor little girl! I would suggest half raw half high quality dog food. Like Sheep of Blue said the chances of her continuing a raw diet are small and you can possibly avoid her having to go through a food transition when she is adopted. Just the humble opinion of someone who doesn't feed raw.

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Oh, poor baby! You are doing the best you can with her, which she desperately needs. It is amazing that you have saved her.

I third the suggestion to do half raw/half kibble. How long before Shirah becomes Rosaline? You know you want to keep her...
 
OMG, 5kg - thats less than 13" Tully! In my recent visits to specialists for Deska I've been told 10-13kg is the normal range for an oversize sheltie (Deska is about 16.7"/43cm).

How can anyone think its okay to breed from such a malnourished dog. Its not like a sheltie even needs that much food. Poor girl.

Thats true about giving her what she is likely to be fed when adopted out, I hadnt thought of that before. Unless of course you are planning to keep her....
 
I knew I could count on you guys for great advice! And for thinking of things that I did not think of!! As much as I would love to keep her, I don't think I will be able to. I will however do my best to find her the best home possible!!

Half half is a good idea. I do want to take her off this crappy Science Diet. She's not even finishing her meals! How can she possibly gain weight this way. We'll up her food intake and feed 4 times a day - 2 meals of raw and 2 meals of good quality kibble and hope that will work. Is there anything a dog with liver problems can't take?

I doubt she had any blood work done. I was told that all the dogs got pretty much the same medication.

She doesn't like to sit or lie down and she doesn't know how to or like to sleep on soft bedding. She also doesn't know what a toy is. That just breaks my heart. I've put little bits of food in a Kong and she seemed to enjoy it. Also helps keep her from being bored I hope. We keep her confined since she likes to walk around alot and we don't want her to collapse from exhaustion. Since her gums look more pink, we do let her out to wander for a few mins several times a day. When she's better, we'll carry her out to the small nearby park for a change of scenery.

So I wanted to show how skinny she was. I tried wrapping my hands around the waist (the smallest part of a sheltie's body just before the hind legs) of all the dogs in the house. With Romeo, my fingers couldn't even touch. With my wee 4 month old Juliet, my fingertips just touched. With Shirah, I didn't even have to try hard and my fingers overlap. :no:

http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr348/rusalkimc/shirah4.jpg
http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr348/rusalkimc/shirah5.jpg
 
Hmm based on people... so likely wrong.....

When you are to skinny you can only eat small amounts since you stomach has shrunk. So small meals more frequent with higher calories would be an aim. Kidneys filter blood and excrete the waste into urine so water level would matter. I have heard to much water can be hard on your kidneys though to little will be hard on your whole system. Again this is food for thought and take most everyone's inputs over this.

It took a lot of abuse to get her where she is so recovering will take a bit despite what we all want. So be ready to see slow progress and take photos as you will miss the improvements seeing her everyday.
 
Those pictures just break my heart.With your love & attention,good food,and a comfy place to lay her weak body,she will blossom into a wonderful loving companion for a deserving family.Thank you for opening up your home,even in midst of welcoming home Juliet.Hugs
 
it's disgusting that anyone can treat any animal like that just to make money :mad::cry:

You said that her gums are getting pinker which is a really good sign. Keep up the good work, she is lucky to have found you :smile2:
 
When I look into Shirah's eyes, I see a spirit that is whole and rich in love. The body will recover, and she will blossom into a Sheltie of beauty and grace. St. Francis has something special in mind for this little Sheltie girl.

Please keep posting pictures; I really want to revel in her journey of healing. God bless you!!
 
Bless you for saving this girl. I am sure that with your help and love she will thrive and you will be able to find her a great forever home.

I feed raw, and think that it is the best (JMHO). Because there is no preservatives and fillers, it is easy on their digestive system, including the liver. Plus, it is high in water content, so she will no have to drink as much either if you are worried about the amount of water she is drinking. What ever you do, she is lucky to have you. She probably thinks she's in heaven with the love, warmth, shelter and food that she is getting from you. God bless you.
 
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