I found a stray..and I'm keeping her

[Shakespeare]

Hello all

I've posted a few times but I'm mostly just a lurker.

I found a dog today...the animal control couldn't catch it....so I did. She's at the vet right now on intervenous. She was very dehydrated and about 15 maybe 20 pounds under weight. I figure she's a boxer/lab cross...maybe shepherd. She's brindle and pretty. Anyways...I'm a raw feeder, but I'm not sure what to do in this case. She is very weak. I know nothing about her past. Her immune system has obviously been challenged alot as of late. Should I start her raw or should I start with cooked until she's stronger...mmm.

Any advice ?

Thanks so much in advance
Troy

 

[myrocky]

You could try and start with the cooked. Depending on how long she was a stray she might have been eating raw already. You can do easy raw stuff like ground meats and then when she has been doing that for a while try something with bone. Good luck and Congrats! I'm sure you will get her happy and well in no time. :D

Andie

 

[frankied]

Congrats on your new addition! Be glad that Cambridge animal control could not catch it! I have had nothing but bad experiences with Cambridge Humane Society and the animal control! Best of luck with your new baby! Does she have a name yet?

Christa

 

[Shakespeare]

No name yet

Droppped by the vet first thing this morning...she's still hooked up to IV. She'll need another bag of fluid before she can come home. I then went to the Cambridge Humane Soceity and stated my case. They were pretty good about it. They couldn't find her in the "reported missing files"...so I guess she's mine. She's in pretty bad shape but I'm confident that she'll be OK. There has been alot of support in the last 24 hours. My friends are ready to pitch in and the couple that helped with the capture are great. They've already supplied me with a crate and a bag of kibble (I know...but the gesture was awsome) and insist on paying for half her vet bills. So we're on our way to recovery I guess.

I've decided to cook for her for a while. Ground meat, sweet potates and veggies to start...then when she is a bit stronger I'll slowly switch her to raw. I'll play it by ear. You know...I really don't think she's a boxer cross...she looks more like a shepard/pit cross. And the vet said she's young so I suppose she could be a dane/shep cross. It doesn't matter really...I hope my two boxers don't make too much of a fuss...my rescue can be a bit of a snob and generally doesn't tolerate other dogs all that well. I guess I'll have to remind her of her roots eh!??

Bye for now
Troy

 

[sashamom]

Wow....good for you keeping that sweet baby and i hope all goes well! I would think the diet of meat and potatoes would be especially helpful in gaining weight and the veggies should give some good nutrients! Maybe some fruit when the tummy settles in.....I am a big believer in Vitamin C to help strengthen the immune system! Congratulations.....hopefully your rescue will adjust nicely!!
Sasha,Telmar and Lisa