Help/puppy visiting has mange?

[Lbodley]

First, I have a vet appt for this puppy tomorrow.

My stepson bought a boxer pup for his 16 yr old girlfriend. We heard about it after the fact. Long story short, this dog is not in good health. Step son and girlfriend went out of town and there was not anyone to take care of puppy. I said okay against better judgement. They told me he had been treated for mange. I took this as they had taken him to the vet after they purchased him. This puppy is very very skinny and still appears to have mange. I find out now the people he got it from said it had been treated. I don't think he has had any shots. He is aprox. 13 weeks olds. They got him from someone in E. Texas. I am so upset. From what I can tell it looks like scarpotic mange (spelling) It seems to fit the symptoms. Now, my dogs are exposed as well as me and my husband. Also, they did not bring food with dog and I don't think they have been feeding him puppy chow. I bought him some. But, as skinny as he is I don't think it came from 2 weeks on adult food.

I made a vet appt for him tomorrow. I cannot afford to get this puppy his shots but have to find out about the mange and what do I do about my dogs. I feel they purchased this pup unprepared. Oh he is not house broken either! I have to also do this. I am as I said just upset. I am afraid my two dogs will now end up with mange. I am just mad. Having raised two pups it is hard work and you have to be prepared. Oh when they brought him over last week I offered to give her my boxer book and she refused. Thanks for the vent. Any suggestions what I can do if this dog has mange. My Rocky has the most beautiful fawn(red) coat. I am afraid he is going to get this mange and ruin him. Also, this puppy whines alot like he is hurting.

Help me! Thank for letting me ramble

Rock and Sam's Worried Mom

 

[Nifftea]

The poor puppy! Sounds like he has had it rough. I am glad you are taking him to the vet and have bought him some puppy food too. Most 16 year old girls don't have the time or patience to take care and train a puppy and you may end up with a third Boxer baby. The new won't last too long, especially if there are problems. Hope things work out for the puppy and your dogs aren't at risk. Please keep us informed.

 

[mmccown]

poor puppy

You are an angel to take in this poor baby while the owners are out of town. Sounds like the stepson is old enough to travel, but not to own a dog. Not to offend, but who takes a vacation when they have a new puppy?

You obviously take great care of Sam and Rocky and I am sure you will get this baby in shape too. Also, you have every right to vent. That is why this board exists among other things. Vet visits can be costly, but imagine how rough life will be on this little guy with an owner who doesn't want to learn more about Boxers (your book)

If the puppy is that skinny, it may have something more seriously wrong with it that eating adult dog food. Although that won't help the situation. This baby needs a home where he will come first, or a very close second. He needs a crate for training, medicine to heal and lots of food for his puppy tummy that should be chubby!

Again, you are wonderful to do what you can for this baby, even if the main purpose is to avoid sickness among your own babies. Maybe you can add another Boxer????

Best of Luck! Keep us posted.

http://rebelandblue.homestead.com/RebelsWorld.html

 

[Aimee]

I am sorry for your situation but I feel it would be best to find this pup a new suitable home as soon as possible. You have no idea how many we get into rescue because people just didn't know what they were getting into and it is only the dog that suffers. While there is no bond, please rehome this dog in a loving home that can offer it the love, attention and care it so much deserves, that is of course unless you are willing to take on this responsibility yourself. I would like to know who would sell a dog to 16 year olds to begin with????

I hope that it all works out for you and that your two stay healthy through this whole ordeal.

 

[Debbie Magon]

POOR BABY!!! This is indeed a very sad situation for the little pup! I am sure the vets will shed much light on what is wrong with him but mange inits self is often a symptom gained after a pup has become rundown or is actually sick with something else. This little fellow obviously needs much care if he is to overcome all this. The first thing must be to determine what is wrong with him besides the mange. I am sure the vets will be able to help, but like we all know it will come with a price! Part of his problem sounds like poor nutrition and probably worms!!! Good luck and we will all be thinking of you both. When your stepson returns I would be having a serious talk to them both about the huge resposibility of owning a pet! He was well cared for as a baby! so dosnt the little pup deserve likewise? Ask him why he wants a pup if he and his girlfriend arnt prepared to care and love it! I think young people are fine animal owners as long as it is not a fanciful dream and pet ownership is a true reality to them. Good luck and keep in touch.

 

[JulieM]

I would recommend *not* having this puppy vaccinated, anyway - if it truly has mange, the immune system is depressed and vaccines are not to be giving to unhealthy dogs (per the manufacturers; unfortunately most vets don't read that part....)

Getting to the vet is good - you should also take a stool sample, often worms are the culprit in skinny pups. If the vet prescribes antibiotics, be sure to give the puppy a good liquid probiotic (available at health food stores) 3-4 hours after giving the ab (and continue for a week after the abs run out). A raw natural diet would be the best thing to boost the pups immune system, but if you're unable/unwilling to do that, perhaps home cooking or at the very least human-grade kibble would do wonders. Supplementing with lots of fresh, whole foods - cottage cheese, crushed fruits & vegetables, raw liver, canned pumpkin - will help, too, but add them slowly, as they can be very rich.

At 13 weeks, if you do feed kibble, an adult diet might be better - most puppy foods cause the dogs to grow too fast anyway. When we fed kibble, we switched between 4-6 months (whenever the bag of puppy food ran out).

How skinny is skinny? Are the spine/hips showing? If it is only the ribs showing, he may be going through a growth phase - Boxer pups *should* look a bit skinny, it's much healthier for them in the long run.

If your dogs are healthy, they should be able to resist the mange - you might want to give immune-system boosters (Vitamin C, echinacea, goldenseal) until the problem with the pup is cleared up (check directions on the echinacea, it should not be given continually for any length of time). The probiotics you get for the puppy will not hurt your dogs and will probably do them good.

 

[Lbodley]

Thank you all for your response

Thank you all for your responses. They really help to hear from others who can relate to what I am feeling. I don't want to be unresonable but this is really causing abit of a problem.

Someone ask how skinny. I mean skinny. It is not just his ribs. His hip bones and back bone are showing too. My step son has only had this pup a couple of weeks. His mom told me she thinks he paid $250 for him. This puppy was sick when he got him. They way he looks could not have happened in a 2 - 3 week period. I do plan to find out this persons name. I too will ask more questions of my step son and what took place. I told my husband I don't know why he did not come to us when looking unless it was a spur of the moment decision. We have 2 great boxers who are happy and healthy.

Many of you said I may have a third boxer. I am not in a place in my life where I can do that. My Rocky is just 19 months old and still a puppy. He is a great dog and I am working quite a bit with him. I don't have the time to give to house training etc..

I will know more tomorrow. Thank you all again.

Rocky and Sam's Mom

Samantha White Boxer
Rocky Fawn
Natural ears