Help!! New to me Afghan Hound was mistreated.

I just saved this adorable dog from neglect. She is only 38 lbs, when she is supposed to be 60-80. :? Her eyes are clouded over, and can hardly hear with her ears covered with earmites. She is between 6 to 8 years old and so sweet and beautiful. My questions are she has to urinate every 4 hours, and seems to be in pain in her back hips sometimes, are these symptoms normal for a dog of this age and would it hurt her for me to give her doggie asprin? I am walking her everyday and I have taken her to the vet to get checked. They said untill I get her weight up it is too hard to see if she has anyother problems. Any advice anyone? :?:

 

What immediately comes to mind is some sort of kidney problem. Did the vet do a blood test?

This sounds funny to me. Can you get a second opinion?

 

Unfortunately I am a single mother with two kids. I can not afford to pay for all the tests that the vet would like to do on her. There does not seem to be anything else wrong with her other then her teeth. I have been running a fundraiser her at my work to get people to donate some money to pay for some tests. So, do you think a kidney problem might have been why she has lost so much weight? Besides neglect? My plans are as of now to keep feeding her and clean her all up. Get her weight up and find a home for her where someone can afford to treat her the way she deserves. I was hoping there was some signs I could look for to see if has any other problems...Thank you for your help.

 

I'm not sure what you are specifically referring to, but please be aware that ibuprofen, naproxin, tylenol as well as several other pain relievers are very dangerous for our furpals. Even small doses can cause death in a healthy dog.

Here are two webpages with more information:

http://www.bigpaw.com/dog.html
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=apcc



I would go easy on the walks as long as she seems to be having pain in her hips. I would also call your local SPCA (or similar agency) and ask if they know of any low-cost clinics you could take her to for further (more affordable) evaluation.

Good luck with your new baby - she is lucky to have you.

 

I don't think the possible kidney problem would be tied in with the weight loss - that was probably due to neglect. Is there a rescue near you that might fund some vet services for you? Or try calling around some different vets and see if you can find one who will take the case as a charity service. Or maybe the local humane society?

Otherwise, I would watch her for signs of pain and take things slowly. If she seems to be in pain, go easy on the walks. Hopefully someone else with more knowledge of rescues will chime in...

 

Do you think she's a purebred Afghan? Here's their national rescue site, that includes a "lost and found" page: http://www.afghanhound.net/. If she's really an afghan (or looks close enough to pass) then if they have anyone close to you they might be able to set you up with some vet care and other tips.

Let us know what happens!

 

Yes, I think she is a purbred. I have not called around yet. I have just been focusing on making her feel loved and getting her weight up. As for the asprin, in walmart there is this product that says asprin for dogs. I was really just thinking of giving it to her right before I clean her ears and brush her teeth. She seems to get really dizzy when I put the medicine in her ears. She cannot shake her head much or she gets dizzy also. Of course I work mo to thu till 6 pm so calling around is a little hard. I will get it figured out. I just want to make sure I am doing everything I can to help her feel better untill I can get her in to the vet to get her fixed and her teeth cleaned. Thank you all for your responses.

 

I would be wary of giving her any medication. It could end up hurting more than it helps. Definitely give the Afghan rescue people a call. That web site has a page with a huge list of volunteers in many states. You can call or e-mail whomever is closest to you and they may be able to help you out. Since most of them probably work, too, calling in the evenings shouldn't be a problem.

Is her coat horribly matted? I imagine it has to be.

 

The dizzyness would be because her ear is infected and should go away when that is cleared up, the stiffness/pain from old age/arthritis and the urinating every 4 hours could be kidney problems.



from your description she really needs some medical additional medical attention.


I would do as others have suggested and call rescue groups for help and other vets that are willing to donate some of their fees due to her extreme condition


good luck

honeybear

 

These symptoms made me think of kidneys also (or maybe diabetes?). Protein loss through urine makes it difficult for the dog to maintain weight, and the kidney's inability to concentrate urine and remove toxins can cause nausea. Also, bacteria from the mouth/teeth can attack the kidneys, heart, etc. If she doesn't seem to be gaining weight despite eating a nutritious diet, or if she still seems dizzy after her ears have improved, I would definitely suspect health problems.

Also, I would hold off on giving aspirin to a dog with possible kidney issues until the vet can rule out kidney disease. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories can cause kidney damage. Joint supplements with glucosamine, chondroitin, etc. won't hurt the kidneys, but they aren't recommended for diabetic people (and dogs?) if I remember correctly.

If a bloodtest isn't an option at this point, would a urinalysis be more affordable? At the vet's office that we go to, it's a bit cheaper than a blood panel and might help you see if there's a problem. Protein in the urine and low urine specific gravity would make me think of kidneys; glucose would make me suspect diabetes. Of course, the CBC blood panel + urinalysis would be better (would let the vet check glucose, BUN, Creatinine levels in the blood, and for the presence of glucose, protein, etc. in the urine) and would let you see if there are any underlying health issues that might be contributing to her symptoms.

In addition to your own fundraising at work, other auspet members have given you great ideas on other possible ways to get these tests financed. Best of luck -- she's very lucky to have you!

 

I would get in contact with your local shelter or low cost clinic. This dog really needs to be seen by a Vet.

Giving straight asprine "St. Johns Asprine" is ok. But only in LOW LOW Doses and ONLY if the vet say's its ok. If there are health issues, it can d more harm than good.

Tylenol, Ibprophen, ect, are very deadly to dogs!!!
Please Contact your vet, see if you can work out a payment plan, or find someone who can help her.
I know I'm lecturing, but if you really care for the dog and want to help. Get her the hellp she needs in ANY way. Even if that mean surrendering her to a rescue. You can always adopt her later.

Your doing her more harm (even though you think your doing good) by not letting a vet see her.

 

I took her to the vet last friday the day after I got her. I have a free check up to see if she is gaining weight in two weeks. I intend to get all the things she needs done. If I do not get enough help or money raised I plan on giving all the money I do get with her to either the the animal shelter or the resue people whomever can take her. I have not given her any medication other then what the vet gave me I was just asking about the asprin. It seems like that is not the best thing for her by several people here so I will not give it to her. She is not in as much pain as I thought because I took her over to my friends house that has a 2 year old australian shepard and she played with him for four hours (he is fixed) and she jumped up onto the pool table! That is the highest I have seen her jump! She seems to be doing well and gaining some weight. I will know for sure at her check up. SHe also went about 7 hours last night without needing to go out. I am wondering if maybe she just needed some time to get used to a new place? So far I have gotten 10$ and a free grooming donated for her. I am amased that there are people out there that harm animals and then there are so many people out there who care at the same time. God is amazing. :y_the_best: Thank you all I will keep you posted on her status.

 

That's good news! It could be that she just needs some time to settle in. Do watch her while she plays - some dogs will overdo it and you have to be the one to stop them when it's time to stop.

Do you have a paypal account set up?

 

Well she was tired when we got home, but I think it was good for her. She is even starting to talk when she wants something. SHe does this littl "huff" when she wants out. It is so cute!

No I do not what is a pay pal??

 

Hi,
It sounds like she's doing just great now she's settling in and probably learning to trust you a little.

As everyone else said, and you know, the tests and what not are what's needed.

I just wanted to add about the urinating...
Sometimes dogs that have been ill treated have been locked away in one place/room for long periods of time, so it doesn't matter when they urinate. They learn that when they need to go they just go. So when it comes to living in a loving home they have to learn all over again that they may have to wait a little while, and there's a time to do it. Sounds like she's already getting the hang of it though.

Good luck and well done for caring

 

Well, update on Sienna. She found herself a home this weekend! My daughter let her out to go potty and did not check the fence. She got out and went over to this peoples apartment around the corner. And they said they really liked her and could afford to get her tests and what not done! I was starting to get worried because in the 3 weeks I had her she only gained one pound. But she must have known she needed a better home! God works in mysterious ways,,,

 

I am glad she found a home, maybe she just knew they were the ones

honeybear