Obese rescue has a hard time walking :(

[Magsthemunster]

My husband brought Maggie home from a garage sale and she's in rough shape. He couldnt leave her there and i cant blame him. The vet has said she has allergies (hot spots with missing hair and hairless tail) and is grossly over weight. We've decided to go raw and need to help her slim down. She has a hard time walking, fatigues quickly and can't climb stairs. We are saving to have further tests done but shamefully, we can't afford it right now. Her nails have been clipped and that's helped. They were curled. the last lady who had her said her ex roomie dumped the dog and she hated her? Maggie spent the last month chained to a tree or in a too small crate. She has raw spots from laying in one position. I just need some advice to help her. She has a bed, free roam of the house and my husband walks her twice a day even though its brief because she waddles and tires. Please help

 

[Penelope's Mom]

Thank you for rescuing that poor girl. Maybe the lady who hates her should be tied to a tree to see what it feels like.. :-(

 

[Smart_Family]

Thanks for rescuing her! Do you have any where she can go swimming? It's a nice low impact exercise.

 

[angelbears]

You and your husband are wonderful. Thank you for saving poor Maggie. Nothing shameful about not having the funds right now to do testing. To be truthful they probably aren't needed.

Raw is great but be careful it has been my experience it can put weight on them quickly if you over feed. So start out on the low side. I would go about 2% of her weight. Trim the hot spots of all hair. Hot spots look scary but go away as quickly as they come up. Hopefully, someone will chime in on some home remedies for hot spots. In the mean time do a search here and see if something pops up.

Where are you located? We would love to see some pictures of Maggie when you get time.

I'm sorry I'm off to bed, have to be up in 4 hours but will be on first thing in the morning to try and help with any questions you may have and find something for the hot spots if someone hasn't responded. I'm sure others will respond if they see the post tonight.

Thanks again for the wealth of love your giving Maggie and please keep us posted.

 

[taisa899]

I have no advice for you but thank you for rescuing. Maggie will reward you for it in many ways

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[Mooshi's Mummy]

As said above welcome and a big thank you for giving this girl a life worth living. For hot spots trim the fur back and clean with a gentle cleanser, if you can get some hibiscrub that would be great, its easy to order on line. Next dry the area and pick off any scabs, you want a nice clean surface. Then you can apply http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/veterinaryqa/a/Vetericyn.htm. All this can be done and sourced pretty easily on line. Its important to keep the areas clean and clear. Good luck!

 

[CeeCee]

Welcome and what a wonderful thing you've done for Maggie and your family!!! We would love to see some pictures of your new family member.

How is she settling into your home?

 

[musicdeb]

Check out these links to possibly help with Maggie's care: Having Trouble Affording Your Pet? : The Humane Society of the United States

Thank you for rescuing a pup that needed a home of love and care.

 

[DennasMom]

Welcome, and thank you for taking Maggie in!
Please do post some pictures!

I would just keep dong what you're doing - take it slow. Losing weight too fast can cause problems, too. Once she starts walking regularly, you can let her be your guide on how far to go... push her just an itty bitty bit, so you can build up some muscle and lung capacity, but don't push so far that she'll avoid going on walks at all.

With her being heavy, you might be inclined to reduce treats... but I'd spread out a portion of her dinner as treats during the day (there are good freeze-dried "raw" meal alternatives that work great as treats). I think that would help her bond with you and help her mood, too, so she's always willing to work for you. When we come home from a walk, Denna gets a treat just for coming in the front door and sitting so I can take off her collar. It's our routine.. but it means coming home and going into the house are always a good thing.

For going raw - I'd also go really, really slow... she could probably easily fast for 24 hours to clear the system of her old food before getting her first meal of raw. Then I'd start her on half-portions for a day or two before going up to her full amount. I'm not sure I'd go with 2% of her body weight, though, even that might be too much... the guidelines are 2-3% of "ideal" adult body weight. But with Denna, she gains weight even at the 2% level (we use 185lb as her 'ideal' weight, which was her mom's weight). She's down to 1.6% now... and even that's borderline. And we DO get out for walks (but could stand to do more). There are a bunch of great links in the threads about raw here on the forum, if you need any pointers.

Thanks again for giving Maggie a great new home!
Looking forward to seeing some pictures!

 

[Magsthemunster]

This is Maggie. She has hairless spots on her elbows that are calloused also. How do I help those? She also has yeasty crud in her ears and the vet said to wipe it out and treat with athletes foot cream? That doesn't sound quiet...humane to me. We couldn't afford the professional cleaning so we've just been gently wiping. There are no mites thankfully. She's also had puppies and her nipples are extended and dry. Poor Maggie

 

[Hector]

View attachment 31163

This is Maggie. She has hairless spots on her elbows that are calloused also. How do I help those? She also has yeasty crud in her ears and the vet said to wipe it out and treat with athletes foot cream? That doesn't sound quiet...humane to me. We couldn't afford the professional cleaning so we've just been gently wiping. There are no mites thankfully. She's also had puppies and her nipples are extended and dry. Poor Maggie

I heard virgin coconut oil does wonders for dry spots. Many people use it on here. This is the one I'm using and I think a lot of owners here use this also

http://www.amazon.com/Nutiva-Certified-Organic-Virgin-Coconut/dp/B000GAT6NG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1378339852&sr=8-2&keywords=nutiva+coconut+oil

For the yeasty ears, I prefer a flush solution that my vet prescribed. It is called ketomax ph 8.5 flush. I looked online and couldn't find it to buy. I think this flush would be just as good, but I haven't used it myself.

http://www.amazon.com/Zymox-Cleanser-With-Bio-Active-Enzymes/dp/B0014HYCM0/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1378339681&sr=1-1&keywords=zymox+ear+flush

I was surprised how well it the flush I got from my vet worked on the ears. There's a method to flushing the ears so you get a good clean. Here's a video that I learned from.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4odbAlDRiz0

I didn't have to hold my dog in place. Ear flushing is enjoyable for her surprisingly.

 

[angelbears]

Maggie is quite the girl. Actually, the athletes foot cream might be a good choice. For her elbows if you have coconut oil, coco butter or something along those lines would help.

Here is a link to a thread that was recently started here:

http://www.mastiff-forum.com/showthread.php/13671-Irritated-spots...?highlight=spots

There are a few suggestions of how to treat at home. With a little patience hot spots can be cured with out the costly vet and RX's.

Any clue as to how old Maggie is? How about fleas? They can cause hot spots too.

I'll post some more if I find the home remedies for ears but if you already have athletes foot meds, try it.

 

[Magsthemunster]

No fleas thankfully. She's about 4 years old and has been a "breeder" the Vet says. We are waiting til the 1st to take her back to the vet. My husband is going to try flushing her ears with vinegar. She's shaking her head a ton.

 

[CynJ]

The athlete's foot cream trick is an old one. Don't forget athlete's foot is a fungus as is yeast.

The Zymox works well (both the preventative and the wash) - Amazon has it pretty reasonable

As far as the exercise goes - I would be tempted to let her settle in for a bit (at least a good month or so) before you really try to engage her in weight-losing exercise. Between the ear, the hotspots, the new diet, and the overall abrupt change in her circumstances she needs time to settle in, feel safe, and start to feel physically better as well. There's a whole lot of mental and physical stress she's trying to process.

And don't be ashamed about not having a ton of extra money for the vet, how many people walked past that poor dog at the garage sale and just left her there? You both have kind hearts and she will get more from that than what money can buy. Good food, clean water, and soft place to sleep work wonders.

(ps - you didn't mention what state you are in. If you're near CT I have some Zymox and ear wash you can have and I can help you with the hotspots if you need help)

(and as a double ps- don't think I missed those fatigues. Tell your husband I thank him for his service.)

 

[musicdeb]

No fleas thankfully. She's about 4 years old and has been a "breeder" the Vet says. We are waiting til the 1st to take her back to the vet. My husband is going to try flushing her ears with vinegar. She's shaking her head a ton.

Be sure to use 3/4 water and 1/4 vinegar and apple cider vinegar works best. Using straight vinegar may do more harm than good. Soak cotton balls in the solution and place them inside the ear canal. Rub the ear and let the pup shake them out of the ear canal. Massaging the ear canal puts the liquid into the ear.

 

[Magsthemunster]

Crap. We didn't dilute the vinegar. A guardian angel ordered a few things for her and gifted us some supplies until we can afford to do more! The support of this forum has meant a ton! I thought, well if no one will do right for her, we will. We don't have much to lose and even at our barest, she's better off here than there. The lady was pretty rude as a general attitude but was happy for us to take her. Her husband said , don't knock over my motorcycle when you walk by (husband had to carry her to our SUV. She wouldn't walk between cars and the motorcycle. ) no sadness or upset or tips to help her adjust. Just here, take her. Don't touch my bike. dispicable.

So far the coconut oil has helped her nipples and elbows. They are less cracked. Head shaking is better and less chewing too. I put benedryl ointment on her rump and tail. Looks like it helped. Her ears still smell though and that worries me.

Any comments on blue buffalo food with 1 carb/1 protein? Vs raw? For weight loss? I've always had Great Danes. They were lean and hard to keep weight on. Maggie is quiet the opposite!

 

[angelbears]

Man, that just really pisses me off. I just don't understand people. That's why I'm anti-social and own Fila's.

Love is going to be this girls best medicine and I can tell she is going to get that in abundance. Please keep us updated on her progress.

 

[musicdeb]

Crap. We didn't dilute the vinegar. A guardian angel ordered a few things for her and gifted us some supplies until we can afford to do more! The support of this forum has meant a ton! I thought, well if no one will do right for her, we will. We don't have much to lose and even at our barest, she's better off here than there. The lady was pretty rude as a general attitude but was happy for us to take her. Her husband said , don't knock over my motorcycle when you walk by (husband had to carry her to our SUV. She wouldn't walk between cars and the motorcycle. ) no sadness or upset or tips to help her adjust. Just here, take her. Don't touch my bike. dispicable.

So far the coconut oil has helped her nipples and elbows. They are less cracked. Head shaking is better and less chewing too. I put benedryl ointment on her rump and tail. Looks like it helped. Her ears still smell though and that worries me.

Any comments on blue buffalo food with 1 carb/1 protein? Vs raw? For weight loss? I've always had Great Danes. They were lean and hard to keep weight on. Maggie is quiet the opposite!

I hate people who are just F.I.s!!!!

Re: food. Raw is better for a pup but it depends on what you want to do as far as food. Reducing her food intake, rather it be raw or kibble will help her reduce lbs. and exercising.

I agree, you need to bond with her because it can take a rehomed pup 8-12 months to totally trust you. Right now she's stressed with environmental change even though it for the better.

Walk with her small distances for now, brush her, train her and cuddle with her to bond with her.

 

[Al and Julie]

Thank you for rescuing her

 

[Magsthemunster]

Here's a few more pics!