please help!

[Bordbetty]

Hello!
I recently adopted another boxer! I already have one 3 year old male, and on friday I got a little girl that is only 11 months old. She is the sweetest thing, but SO skinny! Her ribs are sticking out and she has no meat on her anywhere. Is there anything I can feed her that will make her put on the weight faster? Also she has thrown up a couple of times, and has the runs..! Is this a sign of worms?? I'm not sure since my other boxer has been so healthy! I just want her to be healthy and she just looks so pathetic. Any help would be great!! oh and one more thing, she isn't potty trained, does anyone know any good tricks for housebreaking an older dog? I thought of getting a crate, is that a good idea?
thanks!!

 

[AvalancheBoxer]

Hi,

Are you feeding her the same food that the foster home was feeding her? If not, this could be why she has the runs and vomiting. You may want to try some rice with her until you can get her tummy problems taken care of. Also, it could be that she is a tad nervous in her new home, and this may cause the tummy to be upset?

Do a search on satin balls to help her to put on some weight. Although, I would definately get a good check up for her first and make sure that she doesnt have any underlying problems making her vomit and have diahreah.

As far as the crate goes, I would recommend purchasing one. Some times they can be a real life saver when it comes to house training, and leaving your dog alone. You can be assured if she is in her crate, she is safe and not destroying your home or in any danger from chewing cords, etc.

I hope this helps you. Good luck with your new girl!!

 

[None-removed]

Try giving her goat's milk for a day or two. Goat's milk, unlike cow's milk, is completely assimilatable by a dog's (sometimes sensitive) stomach and will help her get calories and maybe put on an ounce or two. She has been through a great deal of stress and change, and that will often times manifest with stomach upset and diarrhea, and lack of appetite. The other poster made a good point that she should be left on the same food that the foster home or shelter had her on until the change to a new food can be made gradually. However, please don't even think about giving her satin balls until her food has been changed gradually and her stomach woes have calmed. Of course, I am not a satin ball fan anyway, but giving her something that high in fat now would only exacerbate the problem. As she gets used to you and her new home, she should start to calm and her stomach will too, and she should start eating normally again. If the situation doesn't clear on it's own in a few days, a vet check is definitely in order.

For the housebreaking, crating gets another vote. An older boxer can be difficult to crate train, though, so a confined area works well if she won't take to the crate just yet. Just like a puppy, if you get her outside after play, eat and sleep, she should get the hang of it pretty quickly, in my experience, as long as she gets on a schedule and it stays pretty constant.

 

[Bordbetty]

thanks!

Thank you so much for all of that great information. I'm going to go ahead and try the goat's milk and also the crate. She stays outside in the fenced back yard during part of the day with my other boxer, it's just at night that we have the problem. Well thanks again!

 

[mygirlmollie]

I have heard OX cheek is good for putting on weight.

Get her vomiting etc sorted first though as I'm sure you will then perhaps give it a try good luck on your new baby!

 

[Debbie Magon]

I would definately find out if she was in a shelter what they have treated her for?
She may indeed have a severe case of worms which besides being starved , will cause a big weight loss.

Personally I would be getting her to the vets for a thorough medical and see what they say as to her required treatments.

Diet can be changed with the addition of well cooked rice with a little cottage cheese and cooked chicken bits.
As her tummy settles I would introduce a variety of foods , just a bit at a time.

If you want her to put on weight she will on beef and lamb, quite quickly too!