Lewisburg, WV, Tessa, black senior, to rescue stories - for more updates!

[Jax08]

Originally Posted by JeanKBBMMMAAN

I crate a new dog during the whole process of dinner - the sounds and smells can trigger issues. So put her in the crate, then feed Dharma, then her.

I am guessing Jax will be saying the same thing in the next post!

nanernanernaner...I was three posts above ya! I didn't say to feed Dharma first though. What will that do?

Put Dharma ahead of her on the totem pole, give Dharma a chance to eat in peace, or show Tess that even when Dharma has food that she will still get fed?

oh...and just don't teach them to bring you their food bowl. Jax just came by with one to add to her stash in the corner.

[dawnandjr]

I like to give a supplement called Show Stopper. It is from K9 Power Products. Should help with her coat and any hot spots she might still have. They also carry joint supplements.

[BowWowMeow]

Sounds like you have absolutely the right attitude! Just a few thoughts:

I agree to feed her in her crate, from food prep until Dharma is finished. Also, pick up Dharma's bowl when she finishes so that is not an issue. Try to keep things as low key as possible.

I would not have her sit for things--that is really hard on the joints of an older dog. My seniors all stop having to do a sit once they get to be a certain age or a certain level of infirmity. You could teach her to do something easy like look at you (hold a piece of kibble up to your eye) and use that until she learns new things like touch.

I would also get a harness to make it easier and safer to get her up and down the stairs.

For her skin I would apply something with NEEM oil. Azmira makes a spray that is good. Aloe vera is also very healing for the skin and, as Jean said, coconut oil is also good. When Rafi had mange the NEEM was the most helpful for skin repair and hair growth.

If you're giving fish oil be sure to also give vitamin E.

Once you figure out what's going on with her back end I could make some suggestions about supplements, etc.

[DharmasMom]

Thanks for the advise. I got the name of the vet I have to take her to so I will be making an appt first thing in the am. The shelter says her skin is the result of a SEVERE flea infestation and resulting allergy. Apparently, it was so bad they were nesting on her!! I will have to check out that spray, I was watching her scratch tonight thinking she needed a good lotion.

She is just so pitiful looking but get such a happy look in her eyes when I approach her. Like she is so thankful to be getting petted. Also she is starting to wag her tail when I approach. I like that.

She is also quite funny, even though Dharma hasn't quite accepted her, Tessa doesn't like Dharma to be outside without her. If Dharma is outside, Tessa is going with her, even though it is cold and rainy and she may have peed and come right back in. If Dharma stays out, Tessa wants to go back out. And when she uses her hind legs to scratch her front legs (she has a lot of difficulty doing it but somehow she manages) she sticks her tongue in and out. Reminds me of an anteater.

[DharmasMom]

Well since Jean so kindly added us to the classic thread I guess I will update.

Tessa is doing fairly well. She still has pretty bad separation anxiety so she is never left completely alone, either Dharma, myself or my uncle is always with her. We tried training, crating, TV, my shirt in the crate, and sedatives- nothing really works on her. We will just deal with it until the end. They have never found an answer for her nosebleeds but they are definitely triggered by too much excitement. So I work to keep her as calm as possible. She hasn't has one in about 3 months. Her hips are getting worse. I have her on glucosamine and Previcoxx, they have helped tremendously but I have seen a change in the 6 months I have had her. She has real difficulty getting up the one step from my garage into the house. Getting good traction is the problem, I put a rug down but she will still slip sometimes so I usually help support her. Getting in and out of the car is hit or miss. Sometimes she can and sometimes she can't.

She still wants to be alpha and will bully Dharma. Mostly Dharma is submissive to her and lets her, once in a while Dharma decides she isn't going to take it and goes after her. Then I get to break up a fight. Tessa always loses. Dharma is younger, stronger and healthy. Tessa doesn't stand a chance. Fortunately no one has been hurt and it doesn't happen often. She will get REALLY aggressive if she is sick. It has been the only way I have know she wasn't feeling good a couple of times. I never would have found out her ears were infected if it weren't for the aggression. That was the only sign she had.

Overall, she is happy, SO HAPPY. She loves me and Dharma. She loves riding in the care. She goes CRAZY if you ask her if she wants to go for a ride and she is so SMART. She knows when I have to go to work and when it is time to go for a ride. I hate that it is so hot and she doesn't get to go as often now. I have a video I took of her getting all nuts about going. I will post it this weekend.

Now for a few pics. I will get more this weekend. Oh and she has gotten fat. My uncle fed her too many treats. She is now on the green bean diet and gets low fat treats only and marrow bones- which she loves.



When I first brought her home. You can see how skinny she was and the hair loss from where the fleas were literally nesting in her fur. She was quite pitiful.


The first actual pic I was able to get of her with her face up. She was camera shy for the longest time. Pretty girl!



We are sisters!! We are!!



Why does the young puppy keep messing with me?



Look Mom!! I am learning to PLAY!! You can teach an old dog new tricks!!



ETA: I realize these pics maybe over the size limit but it is midnight, I am exhausted and have to be up at 5, I will try to fix them tomorrow. Please leave them so people can see them for now. Thanx.

[RunShepherdRun]

I am just seeing your pictures now. Thank you so much, Debbi and VGSR, for saving her. Debbi, you and Dharma are doing a great job! Tessa looks gorgeous and fully recovered. The 'before and after' pics are always amazing. I am so glad that Tessa gets to know love, stability, a full belly, comfort, play, and and and... It's never too late!

Thank you so much for taking the time to post these pictures, Debbi.

Oh, I remember when I posted Tessa here. I was thinking at first, no point putting in the time, no help anyhow. But I did anyhow, maybe the high school kids' moving clip about Tessa's shelter gave me another push. And here Tessa is, loved and happy. Thank you so much again, Debbi and VGSR!