When we got Jazz, she didn't know how to play either. My brother mimiced play for her after we saw some vids of shibas playing. He still does this and she gets more and more involved each time. I think it's one of the reasons that she's begun playing with Sally the pug. It's a slow process and showing her how to play when you play with Ryu will be a big help.
About the smell ....it takes awhile on food to have the smell change and her old coat to push out with clean new replacing it. Also have her ears and teeth looked at. The ears will cause a big smell and may need to be treated and flushed for several days. Have the vet take a look to make sure nothing is impacted in there. If she rubs the smell comes off on everything so having some towels and blankets covering things should help and make for easy clean up until her health is on the up an up
Thanks! She'll be going to the Army Vet on Wednesday to get up to date on vaccines and schedule her spay/microchip appt.
I also made an appointment at the groomers. They will do another bath/blow dry, ear cleaning, tooth brushing, nail trim and "facial scrub". I know I can do it but I don't want to damage any trust she has in me by poking and prodding her. Do you think I should take her to the groomer after the vet checkup or would it be OK to do it the day before? Also, they can express her anal glands but she hasn't been scooting or anything. i don't know if expressing them would be necessary. Although, she has horrendous gas. Any advice?
Dave: I'll get some spam up today - I'm working on a collar/harness/leash set for her
i would wait on the groomer until after the vet only on the precedent that she should be seen as is by a medical professional first to assess any medical reasons for the smell/etc. Her food transitions would cause gas, as will stress. I wouldn't have her glands expressed unless necessary (scooting, leakage, etc). If she has a good solid BM, they express naturally.
I just caught up on this thread...what a great thing you are doing! I just went through an adoption and the foster was absolutely fantastic. She was able to give us good info on Remy and his behaviours and really helped ease the transition of bringing him home. It really gave me a great appreciation for how devoted all these fosters are and how much they compromise their lives to help dogs in need. You (and anyone else who fosters) should really be commended!!
I would wait for grooming for a day to two after the vet has had a chance to look at her. The ears are of concern and I would hate to have a groomer monkey with them if there is an infection or mites etc. About anal glands, unless the dog is exhibiting behavior that indicates a problem I would NOT have that messed with. Even with dogs that do have a problem I would suggest a diet change first, unless the butt is irritated and swollen. There has been some debate that expressing AGs can cause more problems with reoccurrence when done as a standard procedure when it isn't really necessary. Most Shibas should not have a problem with AGs.
The gas is probably caused by food changes and or parasites she could be harboring. In changing the food go with lower protein and don't switch to too high of quality too fast. The sad fact is she has probably adjusted to low protein crap food for most of her life so take it easy with anything kibble that goes above 24% protein or has too much fat.
Patrice! I had to laugh when I read this: "In changing the food go with lower protein and don't switch to too high of quality too fast. The sad fact is she has probably adjusted to low protein crap food for most of her life so take it easy with anything kibble that goes above 24% protein or has too much fat."
When the volunteer dropped her off yesterday, I asked about food and they didn't have anything to transition her with. They said to just feed her what I fed Ryu..... I feed Wellness Core!!! Yes, the "Protein-focused" Wellness Core LOL
Thankfully, I guess, she hasn't eaten more than a quarter of a cup of food since she got here. Well, I'm off to the store again this evening to get some food with less protein Thanks for the tip!
but she might do fine on wellness core, Hanzo has been on it since we picked him up on 10/26 and for a week he had bad gas and runny stool (but then again, at the shelter, they feed what is donated, whether or not its consistent to his current diet or not) but he's got great BM's now.
Pam, you are awesome for taking in Chloe, it's so good to hear that she's beginning to adjust after probably having a very rough life. I'm wishing everyone my best!
On another note, went down the "Crappy Dog Food" aisle tonight. Just one word - WOW. Who really thinks that $5 worth of dog food a month is all they deserve?!
I can't imagine what she's thinking.... She's like, "What is this place where all these people scratch behind my ears and rub my belly, put these collars and harnesses on me and why do I keep hearing, 'Hi Pretty Girl! Who's Mommy's Little Angel? Little Miss Chloe!'?" LOL
I go out in the backyard with Chloe and stay out there while she does her business. Well, this morning, I let her out and came back inside to put Ryu inside his crate (so that he wouldn't bumrush us when we came back inside). I went back outside to see how she was doing and SHE WAS IN MY NEIGHBOR'S YARD!!! With their two dogs, just running around having fun. I checked the fence (It's a staggered post type of fence - you can see it in the first backyard pic above) and one of their posts was loose and she must have squeezed through. I finally managed to squeeze her back through to our side (after much swearing and sweating). My neighbor isn't home but when they get home, I'm going to tell them what happened and that Chloe isn't yet vaccinated. Would they need to take their dogs to the vet?
Oh man, sneaky little Shiba. That would have freaked me out. I'm really glad to hear that she played so well with the neighbors dogs. That could have gotten nasty if they were at all territorial.
As for vaccinations and your neighbors dogs, I would think its Chloe that has more to loose in that exchange than they do. She is the one that is vulnerable due to lack of vaccination. I would absolutely mention it to your neighbor so they can keep an eye on things just in case, but I don't see a reason they need to rush off to the vet.
Comments
More spam please. :-)
About the smell ....it takes awhile on food to have the smell change and her old coat to push out with clean new replacing it. Also have her ears and teeth looked at. The ears will cause a big smell and may need to be treated and flushed for several days. Have the vet take a look to make sure nothing is impacted in there. If she rubs the smell comes off on everything so having some towels and blankets covering things should help and make for easy clean up until her health is on the up an up
Snf
I also made an appointment at the groomers. They will do another bath/blow dry, ear cleaning, tooth brushing, nail trim and "facial scrub". I know I can do it but I don't want to damage any trust she has in me by poking and prodding her. Do you think I should take her to the groomer after the vet checkup or would it be OK to do it the day before? Also, they can express her anal glands but she hasn't been scooting or anything. i don't know if expressing them would be necessary. Although, she has horrendous gas. Any advice?
Dave: I'll get some spam up today - I'm working on a collar/harness/leash set for her
Her food transitions would cause gas, as will stress. I wouldn't have her glands expressed unless necessary (scooting, leakage, etc). If she has a good solid BM, they express naturally.
...I know you will learn how to handle and teach her.
Best of all to you, Ryu, your roomie and especially all Chloe!
*wipes tear from eyes...
Great job Pam!
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The gas is probably caused by food changes and or parasites she could be harboring. In changing the food go with lower protein and don't switch to too high of quality too fast. The sad fact is she has probably adjusted to low protein crap food for most of her life so take it easy with anything kibble that goes above 24% protein or has too much fat.
Snf
When the volunteer dropped her off yesterday, I asked about food and they didn't have anything to transition her with. They said to just feed her what I fed Ryu..... I feed Wellness Core!!! Yes, the "Protein-focused" Wellness Core LOL
Thankfully, I guess, she hasn't eaten more than a quarter of a cup of food since she got here. Well, I'm off to the store again this evening to get some food with less protein
She loves the backyard!
Look at that happy Shiba tail!
On another note, went down the "Crappy Dog Food" aisle tonight. Just one word - WOW. Who really thinks that $5 worth of dog food a month is all they deserve?!
I can't put my finger on it but she reminds me of Lucy.
I also think they both have a similar "I've been through a lot" look to their face. :-/
She looks like one happy camper in the backyard
I go out in the backyard with Chloe and stay out there while she does her business. Well, this morning, I let her out and came back inside to put Ryu inside his crate (so that he wouldn't bumrush us when we came back inside). I went back outside to see how she was doing and SHE WAS IN MY NEIGHBOR'S YARD!!! With their two dogs, just running around having fun. I checked the fence (It's a staggered post type of fence - you can see it in the first backyard pic above) and one of their posts was loose and she must have squeezed through. I finally managed to squeeze her back through to our side (after much swearing and sweating). My neighbor isn't home but when they get home, I'm going to tell them what happened and that Chloe isn't yet vaccinated. Would they need to take their dogs to the vet?
As for vaccinations and your neighbors dogs, I would think its Chloe that has more to loose in that exchange than they do. She is the one that is vulnerable due to lack of vaccination. I would absolutely mention it to your neighbor so they can keep an eye on things just in case, but I don't see a reason they need to rush off to the vet.
Silly Chloe. :-)