Puppy Love

[kejedo]

My small dog (BabyGirl) is overweight. When I first got her (her previous owner died,) she was overweight. I put her on a regimen of home cooked food (She had been eating food scraps with prev owner) and she quickly got back to lean and mean. Then the vet told me to use prepared dog food, only. I complied,and BabyGirl blew up like someone had cut the string on a bail of hay. I decided to put her back on a home cooked diet with dog multi vitamins and calcium. She hasn't lost weight like the last time. My daily walking has temporarily been reduced, for medical reasons, but both my dogs (Baby Girl = Chihuahua/ Jack Russell combo and my big dog, Snow =Norfolk Terrier Mix) get to run outside every day, as well as being walked by me, (but not at the previous intensity). I am expecting to up my dog walking within a week or two (pending some med tests.) Additionally, I have been caring for the dog of a sick (very sick) neighbor. My neighbor's dog is smaller and older (Toy poodle). Usually, I separate all dogs for eating, but today I caught BabyGirl finishing off the little poodle's food.  My older dog (Snow-white, Norfolk Terrier mix) is larger than the other two. We are all so happy with Jehovah's  creation of our dear pets, and I want to make sure I am doing every thing I can to be a responsible pet care-giver. Has anyone had long term success with keeping the weight down on a mixed breed like BabyGirl? Thanks for all advice, especially first hand experience,   YS 

[Toy Poodles]

I have toy poodles and I also fix their food. I mix raw meat with cooked meat w/veggies and fruit and vit/enzymes. This has helped considerably in keeping the older ones weight down. 

I also only feed the older ones once a day and the younger ones twice a day. 

They also recommended letting the dogs have a fasting day so on those days I give them raw bones to chew on. 

I have followed a couple of raw feeding groups on fb but am still cooking some meat with veggie/fruit combo. I think it helps the poodles eat their veggies better with it mixed up with meat. 

On the raw diet they say to feed 80% muscle meat, 10% bone and 10% organ. This doesn't mean everyday just over time like a week or two. 

I know that some of the nutrients go out when cooking but I heard that it was best to feed cooked veggies. 

The reason I changed from kibble food is because corn is in most kibble and that is not good for dogs and neither is soy products. So you have to be so careful feeding kibble. I also learned that what is marked on the labeling of the package is not necessarily what is in the kibble because once they are inspected and it is found out that they are not putting in the ingredients that they say they are then they have 4 months to either change the food or the packaging. So you may feed one brand for awhile and then next thing you know they no longer have the quality ingredients they used to say they have and you never know if they really had them or not. 

[LeslieDean]

I was told by a animal rescue that they feed raw chicken and small amounts liver , rice and certain fresh vegetables to their dogs. I first thought no way can they eat chicken due to the bones but I went and read about the diet then asked my vet. He said he knew people who did this and they had healthy dogs with shiny coats and no skin problems. My case was my rescue dog Mijo weighed 160 lbs. he is nothing but muscle but I see him struggle to get off the floor. I keep cloth comfy beds down for him because his feet slip on the porcelain tile floors. I started giving him raw chicken legs -he has powerful jaws so was not as worried about him handling the bones. What I was told is that the bones are dangerous for dogs only if they have been cooked. Cooking makes them brittle. He has slimmed down around his middle and his coat is shiny and no scratching. I will feed him 6 legs or thigh mix and add 2 cups of rice cooked in chicken broth and mix can pumpkin -plain not pie- or add squash or sweet potato all of which he adores. My other dogs were a little overweight but within 10 days were lean and shiney. Is I am using the phone to send this I can not check the site but try typing in raw chicken diet for dogs and see what you find. I understand if you are hesitant to try since it was drilled in me NO Chicken the bones will kill them! I have seen the Hugh difference in skin coat and teeth and weight.

[LeslieDean]

I also buy big packs of boneless chicken from SAMs and will cook it with sweet potatoes, and rice with garlic and fresh herbs. My son used to ask me if he could please have a bowl of the dogs food.

[bohemian]

I'm coming over and barking! They get fed better than me!

[LeslieDean]

I'll even scratch your tummy!  They get flea collars, rain coats the whole works.  My brother in law use to say when he died he wanted to come back as one of Rick and Leslie's dogs.  If I treat my dogs that good think of how I treat my friends!!!

[Sylv]

My girls are raw fed. We get ground chicken carcasses (the part that is left over after the butcher takes off the parts he sells to people. This includes the bones) and they also get lamb, beef, tripe, bison, etc. We also add a few spoonfuls of a mixture of shredded, raw vegetables and fruit that we prepare in bulk. The amount of meat they get is based on their weight. If they need to loose a few pounds, we cut back.

 

Oh, and for "dessert", they get frozen pumpkin We freeze it in mini muffin tins, but ice cube trays would work too. They love it!

[nanceebgd46]

I find it unbelievable how much time, effort and care you give to your dogs...I don't believe I have

ever been treated with that much devotion and concern as you give to your pets...some fortunate doggies there!

Edited July 6, 2015 by nanceebgd46

[Sylv]

We spent about an hour yesterday making up their veggie mix. Now we should have enough for about a month or so

[LeslieDean]

I find it unbelievable how much time, effort and care you give to your dogs...I don't believe I have

ever been treated with that much devotion and concern as you give to your pets...some fortunate doggies there!

 

I understand your statement.  You might even be shaking your head as you read these replies.  I thought I use to like dogs but my husband taught me how to LOVE them.  A big difference.  I am not crazy obsessed (yet) about them and their care but I can see how ones become that way.  My husband can go anywhere and dogs LOVE him.  He has a couple of customers that come to his bar and he has let them bring in their dogs--he saw them sitting in the cars and told them it is to hot out there'''bring them in"".  One couple, Dave and Amanda said their dog Manson will be asleep at home and if either of them say 'Do you want to go see what's happening with Rick?" this dog will jump up and excitedly run to the front door and start turning circles.  He will not let them leave without him.  They said when they arrive at the bar and open the car door he leaps out and bounds up the steps then when they open the door he runs in and behind the straight behind the bar to see his friend.  They say they have never seen anything like it.  He does not act like this even with them.

 

I have found out in observing the care my husband has given these wonderful, entrusted companions over the years that wehn I mimic my husbands behavior to the dogs they reply in like to me.  

 

We had two brothers that were gorgeous cocker spaniels and they would fight over me.  We employeed FIVE different trainers in about two years trying to get this fighting under control.  The last trainer was one who worked for the LAPD canine unit to train their dogs for drug and security.  He did one day ($500.00) and said at the end of the session it was bet to choose one and place the other in a good home.  He explained that the cocker spaniel use to be "Americas Best Loved Dog" because of their beauty and eyes.  At one time they had a lovely temperament but because of their popularity breeders began to breed them so rapidly and to close to the same gene pool (the viscous green eyed money machine had started).  He said that it ruined the breed.  Maybe if you find cocker spaniels who have been breed with other cockers that were far removed you might get a good one but because of all the very close inbreeding things changed.  He pointed out different features as he watched them interact together when they were with my husband, alone and then when I was close by.  He said the dominance issue came soaring to the top, each one actually puffing himself up in their size--trying to get bigger than the other,  each dog moving closer to me and trying to get taller than the other one.  He had me sit on the sofa.  If only one dog was present they were content to set at my feet.  Did not matter which dog.  Introduce the second dog and one would jump up on the sofa and get in my lap while the other one would take to the back of the sofa and try to be at the top by my head.  I loved these dogs dearly and could not decide.  But after a few more weeks of tears and anxiety my husband decided for me.  These beautiful chocolate cocker spaniels would come into the kitchen when I was cooking and start circling each other then grab ahold of each other not letting go.  They would snarl, and blood would fly on the bottom of the cabinets and I would scream and cry.  My husband would intervene and finally the decision was made.  We relinquished Joe (Joe Cocker) and I kept Handsome.  He was right beside me till he died.  He also suffered from the toxic exposure and it claimed his little life.  We displayed many of the same symptoms and each had severe eye problems.  He had to have one eye removed.  We were on alot of the same medications.  It was still two years before we were finally able to link the illnesses with the toxic exposure.  I only wish everyone could experience the type of relationship we had and the absolute joy this little fella brought to my life--and those around him.  This sounds crazy but many times I think of him and this helps me to do the right thing.  I want so desperately to have Jehovah instill his personality into another dog in Paradise.  He was perfect!

[kejedo]

I got a bichon frise from an AKC kennel.  This lady's house was door to door cages and she was breeding another type besides the bichon. One of my sons came with me and she was  showing  us the dog that was old enough to go, that day. In a different space, a little white fur ball that was among his litter, looked up and really distinguished himself from the pack of small dogs. His hair stuck up on top like an Extreme Billy Idol. My son said. "Look at that cute little doggie." "Oh", said the breeder,  "He's six weeks today, he can go." He was certainly smaller than the original one that was "ready to go."  This dog was like a nervous wreck on a leash. We brought him to a trainer, and he said, the dog was separated from his siblings too early and probably never learned to cooperate.  He was certainly Mama's Boy. Not long after that, a sister gave us a shelter dog, The Norfolk Terrier MIx, Snow-White., who was six months older than Boo. My sons and I made up Boo's full name Atticus Boolean -because of two fave characters from To KIll A mocking Bid, Atticus Finch, and Boo  Radley, as well as George Boole and his Boolean mathematics. Boo was very loving, but had a challenging little life. He had some pains that we treated. At age 5 he went paralyzed. We took him to the hospital. I went home and looked at dog wheelchairs on line all night. The hospital bombarded him with steroids. He died the next day at the hospital. I found out it was very common for this type dog that had been a victim of over-breeding. .My heart broke for my little Boo. Every other dog we have had has been a shelter dog or an orphan.  Preparing one of those chicken recipes, now.

Edited July 7, 2015 by kejedo

[kejedo]

Last visit my little dog, Baby Girl, had lost 1.8 lb. It looks like she lost a bit more, now.  She needs to lose one or two pounds to get to optimum weight. Mid August, she developed hot spots/ allergies.  I had her to the groomers twice and the vets also, within 3 weeks.   She has never had a flea this year,but her allergies have been unbearable. The vet had her on RX steroids, antihistamines and something else (anti-inflammatories?)  She's now off rx meds and can take 1/2 Benadryl up to 3 times a day. These hot spots for over a month are making her (us) miserable. Any suggestions? Next dog question: what's the best method of canine dentition? My two dogs will not sit still for full mouth tooth brushing. I read about a mouth spray. Anyone have experience with this?

[LeslieDean]

I'll try and ask our friend who is a rescuer...she is very knowledgeable and has access to many vets to pick their brain for free!

[Toy Poodles]

Raw chicken bones, do not feed cooked because they can splinter. Raw bones naturally clean teeth-Raw bones act like floss in the mouth, polishing and scraping away tartar as the animal crunches and gnaws. In addition, raw meat creates a somewhat acidic oral environment to retard plaque formation and freshen your pet’s breath.

http://allthebestpetcare.com/raw-meaty-bones-for-dogs-and-even-cats/

[kejedo]

I have one of those plastic e-collars, but I think it is too big for her.I took a large soft long sleeve jersey and rolled it up from the bottom, using the arms to tie it (around her) into neck roll. It seems to be limiting her  head movement, so less licking and I hope less scratching. I was able to apply some of the vet's topical anti-itch meds, since her movement is a somewhat restricted.   

[Toy Poodles]

A common wild weed in the US is Plantain and mush it up with a little water and put it on her itchy spots it will stop the itchy in a matter of minutes. 

 

 It’s great for bee-stings, bites, infections, and wounds and even good on salads!  You can make a poultice, brew it, stew it or just plain chew it and put it on a wound, or in a salve or a tincture or lotion.  

The leaves are antimicrobial, regenerative, astringent, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diarrheal.  The seeds are mucilaginous and fibrous lending themselves to digestion and aid for constipation and/or diarrhea.

Put into a salve, the leaves can help to soothe skin that has been bitten, skinned, burned or abraded.  It’s even great on baby’s sensitive little bottom for diaper rash.  Put into a tea, the leaves can be used to soothe an irritated digestive tract and even encourage healing of the intestinal tract.

 

Best of all is its free!

 

 

[Greg Dent]

I have heard of the plantain thing. I also sent those recipes to my sister. She has a Burmese water dog and is a little over weight. Bella is a beautiful dog but has suffered with hip displasia and has a sever wheat allergy. Every time she gets some she gets a really bad ear infection. Danielle  tries her best to keep bread away from the dog but every once in a while the boys will slip up. She is even careful on what treats she buys Bella.

[kejedo]

Doggie updates. RE: Boo, my Akc Bichon Frise that died at age 5; The place where I bought Atticus Boolean has been shut down as a puppy mill.

 

 

 

                                          Baby girl is still battling her weight. She was doing  quite well, but I had some asthma probs and slowed down the walking routine again. It is a work in progress.

                                          HOt spots back. I have topical meds for her, but she scratches or licks it right off. I cut up one of my T-shirts and made her a little T-shirt that would stay close to the meds and protect from exposure/infection. Then I bought her a onesie, size 12 months and cut the tummy part out. It seems to do well with keeping her hot spots covered and she doesn't scratch with her onesie on. She can eventually  wrangle out of it, though. I think if I get the size/pattern fitting better, she will keep it on. 

 

I just ordered some dental gel, b/c both of my dogs (Baby Girl and Snow White) do not tolerate brushing very well. The vet always says their teeth look fine, but I believe you can rub this gel, and then the dog automatically swishes it around, or something. Any good advice for dental sticks (other than animal antlers).

 

The owner of the poodle passed away, and the toy poodle is now rehomed with the groomer. I was able to give the owner a gentle witness before his passing.

 

I have not been able to locate, identify the  plantain weed.

[kejedo]

Good news, good news, bad news- Onesies working well; Babygirl has no more hot spots and a smashing wardrobe of onesies.  Dental gel seems to have been working well  with both doggies, according to vet.  I noticed that Baby girl was favoring one leg and took her to vet ER, awhile back. She got the male vet, whom she doesn't like and  he was not able to examine her. Put her on low activity. She had been losing weight, but gained back a pound.  Got a recent appointment with the lady vet and she referred me to a specialist.  Went to the specialist this morning and they kept Babygirl (She was scheduled with the groomer for Saturday, deep hearted sigh.) Babygirl is getting surgery in the morning for torn anterior cruxcial ligament.  I can pick her up Friday afternoon and then she is confined to 10 weeks kennel rest.  Well, I threw out the kennel she came with (from previous owner); opened a credit line to pay for her surgery; and am scrambling to get home prepared for a 2 and a half month recuperation. I did not put in my aux pio appl. yet for June, and will delay same until canine responsibilities decrease.   Jehovah wants us to love his animals. How could ya not?  Y doggone S, Pauline  p.s. missing my puppy-dog-baby already.

[Sylv]

Awww, Pauline, I'm sorry you're Baby Girl had to have surgery! And now the dreaded crate rest... you better get some "puzzle" games for her.  My girl Suki had a anterior cruciate ligament tear a few years ago, but we were able to avoid surgery. Below is a link to her story. (Interestingly, we were faced with the blood issue during her treatment, as the original treatment included having her blood drawn, mixed with the various medicines, and injected back into her. After researching it, talking to our COBE and a member of the hospital liaison committee (on the COBE's recommendation), we were referred to an article in an older magazine and requested the treatment without the blood extraction/injection).

 

My Diva is going to the vet today as well - she has a sore under her dewclaw on one front leg, and both front feet are tender to the touch. We just want to know what's going on and the best way to treat her.

 

http://holistic-vet.blogspot.ca/2014/02/suki-german-shepherd-dog.html

[kejedo]

Dear Sylv, I am so glad to read about Suki. If I had been given more time to research this, I might have chosen a different option. However, Babygirl is already admitted to the hosp. and headed for surgery.  At this point, I can only hope for the best outcome, given the setting.   Hope Diva has a positive prognosis today. Y canine loving S.pauline

[kejedo]

BabyGirl out of surgery and out of Recovery.  I expect to pick her up some time tomorrow, probably afternoon. Doggie is sedated, Mommy should be. Trying to imagine how to accomplish ten weeks supervised cage rest.

 

 

 

[kejedo]

On ‎7‎/‎7‎/‎2015 at 2:42 PM, kejedo said:

I got a bichon frise from an AKC kennel.  This lady's house was door to door cages and she was breeding another type besides the bichon. One of my sons came with me and she was  showing  us the dog that was old enough to go, that day. In a different space, a little white fur ball that was among his litter, looked up and really distinguished himself from the pack of small dogs. His hair stuck up on top like an Extreme Billy Idol. My son said. "Look at that cute little doggie." "Oh", said the breeder,  "He's six weeks today, he can go." He was certainly smaller than the original one that was "ready to go."  This dog was like a nervous wreck on a leash. We brought him to a trainer, and he said, the dog was separated from his siblings too early and probably never learned to cooperate.  He was certainly Mama's Boy. Not long after that, a sister gave us a shelter dog, The Norfolk Terrier MIx, Snow-White., who was six months older than Boo. My sons and I made up Boo's full name Atticus Boolean -because of two fave characters from To KIll A mocking Bid, Atticus Finch, and Boo  Radley, as well as George Boole and his Boolean mathematics. Boo was very loving, but had a challenging little life. He had some pains that we treated. At age 5 he went paralyzed. We took him to the hospital. I went home and looked at dog wheelchairs on line all night. The hospital bombarded him with steroids. He died the next day at the hospital. I found out it was very common for this type dog that had been a victim of over-breeding. .My heart broke for my little Boo. Every other dog we have had has been a shelter dog or an orphan.  Preparing one of those chicken recipes, now.

 

P.S. I found out the "AKC" Kennel, where I got Boo. was shut down as a puppy mill.

[kejedo]

4 hours ago, kejedo said:

BabyGirl out of surgery and out of Recovery.  I expect to pick her up some time tomorrow, probably afternoon. Doggie is sedated, Mommy should be. Trying to imagine how to accomplish ten weeks supervised cage rest.

 

 

 

My niece's dog, Annie, passed away today  :(, :(, and I lost it, finally breaking down in tears after a hectic day of Bible STudy in field and trying to get house rearranged for crate convalescing. 

[Omoyeme]

One of the worst mistakes I ever made was feeding my beloved dog commercial kibble.  (I didn't know any better at the time.) The last few weeks of her 13-year-old-life she suffered due to eating all that GMO corn and soy ingredients.  I was forced to put her down. I don't have the energy to get another puppy dog, but if I could do it all over again, I'd cook ALL of her meals.