Need Info Re: Age

[Mom2SweetPea]

I've searched the forums plus other search engines and am unable to find information to answer my question. As previously stated in introductions, Sweet Pea is a rescue. However, instead of a shelter, we found her on the 'net. (I wasn't looking for a dog at the time, either!!) A local family had her, but Sweet Pea started eating their chickens. The family in turn got her from a lady who got her from the shelter. YIKES!! So, unfortunately we don't know much about Sweet Pea's background. Though we have had Sweet Pea for a month now, we have not had the resources during this time to take her to the vet for a thorough check up. Please don't scold, I know this MUST be done. She appears very healthy and has a nicely healed scar from her spaying. Hubby checks her poop for worms. She eats well and is healthier looking than when we got her. Shinier, softer coat. She also had a few sores like from a collar and from flies (ear tips were sore) which are healing very nicely. Sores on her neck are gone! We keep her inside the house all the time, exept pottie n play time. We feed her Diamond dog food from the feed store.

What I want to know is there anyway we can tell her approximate age??? Teeth, gums, skin, etc? She's small, and hubby *thinks* she is about 12 to 18 mos. Any ideas?? Thank you in advance for your thoughts and information. Oh, one more thing. She has a numerical tatoo(?) on her belly. Anybody know what that might be for?

Danna

 

[Net45582]

I think a vet can give you an approximate age by looking at the teeth and bone development. The tatoo was applied at some time for id purposes....or that's usually why tatoos are applied anyway.

 

[KonaKoffe]

You may be able to track her backround thru the tatoo. Tatoos are usually used for show dogs and are registered somewhere. Hmmmm

I would not feed any Diamond products. They just had a big recall. Plus it is not a real good food. If you do a serch on theis site you can find details on better food brands and info on the recall.

 

[KonaKoffe]

Here's a link to an organization that may help you identify the tatoo source. I am sure the number includes the registry company somehow.

http://www.tattoo-a-pet.com/

 

[mtoo]

Thought you might want to know that most worms/parasites can't be seen with a naked eye. If they concern you and you can't take her to the vet yet you can just drop off a stool sample for the vet to check. It's usually quite inexpensive, around $15 here.

 

[Roxy'sNewMom]

Please take this baby to the vet. They can tell you the age of the dog. Also if it is registered with the tattoo there may be info there to about age. Worms are not always able to be seen. Also she may look ok, but could still have issues that need to be checked out.
Shaunna

 

[TheDuke]

Usually a veterinarian can give you an approximate age although you can end up with a dog like my Duke! We could never (nor could any vet) ever tell us an approximate age. His teeth and gums are sparkling white with no tarter and he looks and acts the same as he did 3 yrs ago when we adopted him.

 

[Donna1969]

I would not feed any Diamond products. They just had a big recall. Plus it is not a real good food. If you do a serch on theis site you can find details on better food brands and info on the recall.

Diamond makes Chicken Soup (one of the better foods that the mods here and others recommend) and CS is on the WDJ list for better food! Not all Diamond products are a good food but they do make one or two. It wasn't ALL Diamond foods recalled..just some of them. Chicken Soup not being one of them.

 

[Checkers]

I have no idea of Lily's age either. Ive asked about 3 vets and they all didnt know. You could go by teeth, but some older dogs have great teeth and younger dogs bad teeth. You could go by hyperness, but you could just have a younger lazy dog or a energetic old dog etc Ive been saying Lily is 3-4 for the last year . Probably should make that 4-5 seeing as a year has passed :rolleyes: Dont worry about it too much, just enjoy her. Its frustrating, I know, but its hard to age a dog.

If she has been spayed, then she would have seen a vet already. Im sure they would have pointed out any big problems then Just take her when you can. Hopefully the vet sort out those numbers for you.

 

[GoCougs]

What does it matter how old she is? You won't love her any less, or treat her any different. Dogs don't need special care or attention because of age. Just take the best care of her you can, and enjoy her, every day that you have her.

And take her to the vet.