My husband just took our Dalmation outside to potty. When she wouldn’t immediately respond to his calls to come inside, Mr. hopefool went to investigate. What he found was a half-alive, extremely emaciated wee pup. No telling how long she’d been abandoned and alone. So he scooped her up and brought her to me.
Once in chez hopefool, we fed her and gave her a bath so that we could have a better look at the sores on her tummy (she’s a long-hair, BTW). Those have been doctored and we’ve attempted to get some liquids into her – sugared milk via dropper – because we’re afraid she’s dehydrated. Which we plan on repeating every little bit or so. Also, I’m concerned that she might have heat exhaustian. Does that happen to dogs? My mom, the arm chair vet, recommends alcohol on the pads of her feet and belly for this very thing. Any idea out there if that’ll help or not?
Other than all of the above, I’m not really sure what else to do for her. Right now, I have her covered up to keep her warm and try and let her get some sleep. I’m just worried that she’s really far gone and I need as much advice/suggestions as possible until we can get her to the vet in the morning. Fortunately, she seems a little more lively (for whatever reason) than she did. I so want her to be ok. I’m gonna worry non-stop until she gets a clean bill of health.
Please send a prayer/vibe/good thought her way. The little lass sure can use all the help she can get. Thanks.
I am keeping my fingers crossed the dog is going to recover. It’s odd how these kinda things always happen when the vet’s are closed (usually when our 14 year old dog has an illness, it breaks out on the weekend). Good luck!
I think you’re doing the right things, and thank goodness your dalmatian found the pup. You are good to care for the little one.
You may want to call either your local SPCA or even a 24-hour emergency vet and ask what you can do to stabilize the pup. Maybe you’ve done all you can. I think keeping the pup warm and hydrated is key.
Good luck, and I’m sending good thoughts/prayers/vibes!
I think what you’re doing sounds like what I would do: keep her warm, isolated from your other critters and close enough so you can monitor her. Have you checked to see if your area has after hours vet? Or maybe you could call yours and get some over the phone advice. Post again and let us know how she does. With any luck, thanks to you, we’ll hope to see a name-this-very-lucky-puppy thread.
Thanks everyone. We just now realized that, duh, we should have already called the vet even if they’re closed until the morning. So, hubby is doing that now and I will post as soon as we know more.
And I can’t wait to have a name-our-new-pup thread! It’ll be my first.
Ixnay on the sugar in the milk. Puppies can’t digest sugar, so you’ll giver her diarrhea. If she’s really tiny, trot down to Walmart and get her some puppy milk replacement (the most common brand is Esbilac).
If you have a rectal thermometer, take her temp. If it’s over 103, she’s too hot and needs to have her feet alcoholed and a fan put on her. If she’s below 100, she’s too cold and needs blankies and hot water bottles.
This is a great thing you’re doing. That pup surely would be dead now. Tears your heart out.
My mom gave me a lot of advice about how to take care of the new dog. I look at him now, stretched out on the bed, crashed for the night, and I wonder where his own mom is. Since he was a stray, too, I’ll never know.
CrazyCatLady, I was hoping you should up to give me some expert opinions. We had discontinued the sugared milk in favor of a puppy milk supplement. I just don’t know what kind we got from Wal*Mart. Guess we’ll make another run though to get a rectal thermometer since I just now read that suggestion.
Finally got in touch with an emergency vet… she said that since her gums are still pinkish (versus lots of white) then she doesn’t have distemper and isn’t being sucked dry on the inside with worms. Also, because she did eat and we didn’t have to force her, the vet said that it isn’t likely she has Parvo. Thank God! Now I just have to get through until 8:00 AM til we can get her checked. :::Phew!:::
And dantheman, I think your dog is very blessed too. How lucky he is to have you! I’m so glad that there are people out there to do whatever it takes to help these little guys out whenever necessary. They’re such tiny angels in disguise.
Again, thanks to everyone for all the help. We all appreciate it.
Well, she can still be incubating all sorts of unpleasantness like parvo or distemper, and she could still have a high worm burden. It sounds like she’s not anemic from hookworms or anything, though, which is good.
Even after you get her checked out, watch her carefully for signs of lethargy, decreased appetite, vomiting or diarrhea. Parvo can incubate for a week or two sometimes, and the tests are always negative till they start showing symptoms. I hate to sound like the voice of doom, but it is parvo season, and I greatly doubt this little dog has had any vaccines.
Whenever i find an animal that looks like the one youve found i give it water and broth and also some puppy or kitty milk. It seems to help make them stronger faster. I guess it has alot of minerals and vitamins in it. I will be hoping for the best for you because i love animals alot more than most people. Good luck
Chris
I’d recommend that you palpate the animal’s body. Gently run your hands over every limb and external surface. Inspect for lacerations, broken bones, lumps, bumps, contusions, ticks, bites, scratches and the whole nine yards. Check inside the ears for any mites or crusty deposits.
Look for good color around the eyes (and gums, as you know already). Also, inspect the animal’s mouth for any broken teeth or jaw abcesses which might have interfered with food intake. If you can, monitor it’s output (feces) for worms or blood and the like. If it’s breathing is not labored, eyes aren’t runny and ears smell like a clean little doggy, your furball should be well on the road to recovery.
Agreed with the pedialyte, also chicken broth and plain rice–but no cow’s milk, as puppies and kittens past weaning age are lactose intolerant. If you think it’s less than six weeks old, Esbilac or goat’s milk, if you can find it. <-as per PaterArmadillo, DVM
Hopefool, take the puppy to your vet, ASAP. Your vet will treat her properly and be able to advise you on her proper care.
Are you considering adopting the puppy?
Good luck.
So he scooped her up and brought her to me.
