Starving Dog

SimplyLiz · 08-20-2010, 11:01 AM

Here's the deal...I own 2 small very healthy dogs. Tonight I am taking in a starving Boxer...literally, this dog would be dead after the weekend if no intervention.

All the experts say to feed a starving dog meat based puppy chow in 4-6 small feedings. This worries me since there could already be internal damage. So what I'm trying to find is a homeade concoction that will provide high protien and is easily digestable. Anyone know of a recipe I can try?

Any input will be appreciated. Thanks...

pawzaddict · 08-20-2010, 12:03 PM

Has this dog seen a vet? Have authorities been contacted about the dogs "owners" who have let him get in this condition? I would get a high quality food and feed small frequent meals. But I think a vet visit is the most important as the dog could be severely dehydrated as well
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Tess · 08-20-2010, 12:07 PM

Wow, its great you are helping this dog. You might need to be VERY careful with what you feed the dog in the first few days though. Might even recommend checking in with a vet... at least do a bunch of on-line research.

Here are two stories. We took in a starving cat a few years ago and fed it high protein kibble. Within 3 days it was staggering around. We took it to the vet and the vet said its kidneys could not handle the protein because it had been starving. The poor cat had to be put down because of organ failure.

I read somewhere that after some concentration camps were liberated during WW II the soldiers cooked a lot of meat for the starving prisoners. The prisoners were of course very hungry and they ate it. MANY died as a result because their bodies just could not process that much rich food yet.

I'm not trying to scare you, but if indeed this dog is days away from death, there may be things to consider as you embark on your adventure. Honestly I don't know if you want to go high on the protein yet or not. Protein can be hard for the liver and kidneys to deal with. I don't know enough to advise you on what to feed, but perhaps there are some resources out there on the internet on feeding starving animals. A call to your vet might save you a big bill later...

Good luck and I hope you let us know how the dog does.

pawzaddict · 08-20-2010, 12:22 PM

^good point with organ damage and possibly causing more issues. I really think a vet needs to see the dog asap
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SimplyLiz · 08-20-2010, 01:52 PM

I live in a VERY small town. I have talked to the vet and they are the ones who tell me to give him the puppy food. My friend and her husband are separated, she got the kids and he got the dogs...until last night when one of the children told the mom that dogs were skinny and sick. My friend went over right then and found the starving dogs...the boxer is really bad, the pit is in better shape.

I had to promise not to call the police on him so that I can get the dog and try to help him. I want desperatly to have him arrested on 2 counts of animal abuse, believe me. The pit is going to a new home with people that have a yard and room for her, but the boxer is in dire need of help, so I will do what I have to do.

I'm at home all day taking care of my granddaughter, so I have the time to look after him and keep a close eye on him.

I saved a mastiff some years back that was starving..a sad sad sight. But I used to have a receipe for homeade dog food and it really worked well for the mastiff. I put 40 pounds back on that mastiff and found him an awesome home.

Tess · 08-20-2010, 01:57 PM

That's a hard story! Yeah, its so infuriating when people neglect the helpless animals dependent on them.

Can you post any pictures of this dog? I have an image of him as being a total skeleton, barely able to stand and walk, but maybe its not that bad?

pawzaddict · 08-20-2010, 02:02 PM

He needs to see the vet and have bloodwork and a physical done
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SimplyLiz · 08-20-2010, 02:13 PM

I wish I could afford to take him to the vet or a car to take him...I don't. I have 2 dogs and 2 cats of my own and all are very well cared for...they are my Babies

All are wormed, tick repelled, up to date on shots..HEALTHY.

I tried to get help from the ASPCA and the Humane Society last evening, but I don't think you have to be very smart to work at either place

I couldn't get any advice, any resources...nothing. It was dissapointing.

I am on my own with this and he isn't my dog..I can't take him to the vet. I don't want to feed him high protien dog food, I want to get him on something that is easy to digest. I will figure it out.

His name is Brutis and I will post pictures later tonight when I get him. I hope he isn't as bad as my friend says..i really do.

SimplyLiz · 08-20-2010, 02:21 PM

BTW..the reason I'm getting him tonight and not sooner is because they don't want anyone to see this dog, he is that bad that they know if he is seen, someone will call the police. Too sad. I am also going to try and get my friend to give him to a Boxer rescue when and if he gets well.

Tess · 08-20-2010, 02:25 PM

If that is your situation, boiled chicken (no bones, just the meat) and cooked rice is about the mildest thing I can think of to give a dog... a little bit at a time and see how he does... that's an idea anyway.

Maybe your friend who is picking up the dog will see a bag of food around, in which case you would know what he's used to and you could start with a little of that. Maybe he's just severely underweight, but not so far along that he's in real danger.

You'll probably get a pretty good idea when you see him. You sound experienced in this sort of thing. This dog is very lucky to have you helping him!