The kids tucked her in with a fluffy towel this evening, so she stretched out, which was a good thing since she has been balling up all the time, and is wagging everytime we pass by, she chose the bed next to the couch, and is happily dreaming away. I exercised her a bit to get her muscles moving by walking to either side of the living room with a can of dog food and a spoon, only a few times every couple of hours. Her muscles I think are just starting to wake up, she is limping a bit, seems stiff, tmrw I will give her a gentle massage. She ate 2 cups of puppy chow this evening, handfed in handlfuls every few hours, in addition to some wet food this afternoon, to a total of a little over 3 cups today. She is still drinking her water and going out for potty, poo is still wet, but the vet said that is to be expected for awhile as her body gets used to food.
Day 3 and Jazz is eating a full meal, he is being fed in his crate now, and prefers it that way. Once these little monsters are gone he will calm down I am sure..there is just something with these little anxiety monsters that gets him going..its funny they will pass by Dots sleeping head, but refuse to even look at Jazz! Goodnight all!!
Edited for spelling! Yeesh!

 Quote: Becky Niedbalka

The kids tucked her in with a fluffy towel this evening, so she stretched out, which was a good thing since she has been balling up all the time, and is wagging everytime we pass by, she chose the bed next to the couch, and is happily dreaming away. I exercised her a bit to get her muscles moving by walking to either side of the living room with a can of dog food and a spoon, only a few times every couple of hours. Her muscles I think are just starting to wake up, she is limping a bit, seems stiff, tmrw I will give her a gentle massage. She ate 2 cups of puppy chow this evening, handfed in handlfuls every few hours, in addition to some wet food this afternoon, to a total of a little over 3 cups today. She is still drinking her water and going out for potty, poo is still wet, but the vet said that is to be expected for awhile as her body gets used to food.
Day 3 and Jazz is eating a full meal, he is being fed in his crate now, and prefers it that way. Once these little monsters are gone he will calm down I am sure..there is just something with these little anxiety monsters that gets him going..its funny they will pass by Dots sleeping head, but refuse to even look at Jazz! Goodnight all!!
Edited for spelling! Yeesh!

WOW, I had completely missed the fact that you reported Dot had been half-starved in her previous home & came to you EMACIATED

Dogs that have endured Serious long-term Limited calorie intake must be brought back up to a regular food load Slowly & Carefully -- Not all Vets have had any real experience with this, so I don't know what all yours advised you to do with Dot ... Please check out "Re-Feeding Syndrome" on the web (it's the same for humans as it is with dogs) and in dangerously severe cases, a Highly NUTRITIOUS Broth is best at the beginning to re-set their gastro-intestinal tract digestive functions.

I thought that occured within the first 24 hours? We are a week in tmrw. Yes Candi, she is extremely emaciated.
I do see the water consumption has to be monitored to prevent refeeding syndrome, so I will be giving her only small amounts at a time.
She is being hand fed a handful at a time, with 2 hrs btwn each handful. I would have to make broth, as we don't have that sort of thing here, we live in the land of oxo cubes!
My options are limited here, everything pretty much has to be home made or supplemented with something else. Her wet food is chicken and lamb, and contains the phosphorous and magnesium in the ingredients list, that are essential to prevent the refeeding syndrome.
But what the heck do I know :O I shipped her up under the assumption she was skinny, not completely bony..

Thanks for that tip Candi, found a good site that my phone actually opened, and it can occur in the first week. I am getting the man to pick up some vitB1 and am going to slow the wet food down to smaller amounts, and am cutting out the dry food until next week. The canned food she is on has the potassium and nutrients she needs, and I also have some natural wet food, high quality, called Lick your chops which has all the things Refeeding syndrome requires, and is made in broth,
We are going to take things even slower, and watch her 24/7. She has stopped shivering and seems to be sleeping better, For now I will stop the walk arounds, and let her just rest. She is a fighter!

I don't have the experience like Candi. but just to encourage you: I'm convinced you're on the right path. You've already achieved so much within such a short time. I am enjoying so much to read about your progresses. it is just incredible. go on, go on... I'm feeling so happy about reading all this. although my situation is quite different, I can learn a lot from this. Very curious to hear from you and your pack again.
First thing even if sometimes a bit frustrated - have fun fun fun. dogs are extremely good readers,much better than most humans are.
fingers crossed, you'll make your way!

 Quote: Becky Niedbalka

Thanks for that tip Candi, found a good site that my phone actually opened, and it can occur in the first week. I am getting the man to pick up some vitB1 and am going to slow the wet food down to smaller amounts, and am cutting out the dry food until next week. The canned food she is on has the potassium and nutrients she needs, and I also have some natural wet food, high quality, called Lick your chops which has all the things Refeeding syndrome requires, and is made in broth,
We are going to take things even slower, and watch her 24/7. She has stopped shivering and seems to be sleeping better, For now I will stop the walk arounds, and let her just rest. She is a fighter!

EXCELLENT

I believe what you're doing right now is the best course of action,

and I do feel that Dot will be completely Recovered before too long !!!

Thank you ladies just waiting for the wannabe Ewoks to head home in an hour, than Dot and I are going to have a much needed nap. She passed up a rawhide in her poo, and than her poo was much bigger! More "her" sized! I hope that was all she needed! She heartily ate her spoonfed bits of wet food at 7am 9am 11am and 1pm, and thumps her whiplash tail when she sees me coming with the bowl
Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart for all your advice and kindness

 Quote: Becky Niedbalka

Thank you ladies just waiting for the wannabe Ewoks to head home in an hour, than Dot and I are going to have a much needed nap. She passed up a rawhide in her poo, and than her poo was much bigger! More "her" sized! I hope that was all she needed! She heartily ate her spoonfed bits of wet food at 7am 9am 11am and 1pm, and thumps her whiplash tail when she sees me coming with the bowl
Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart for all your advice and kindness

Thank YOU for being such a Big-Hearted rescuer, Becky !!!

"Now abide faith, Hope, and LOVE, all three, but the GREATEST of these is Love." (1st Corinthians 13:13)

So Dot stopped eating again, and will only eat boiled chicken. I called the vet, and the lab lady from our hospital came and took some bloodwork as a favor for me, and sent it to the vet. We will know tmrw where she is with glucose, thyroid etc. After that I will know what I am dealing with.
She is wagging her tail for the chicken, I am giving her a 1/4 cup blended with water, every 2 hrs. She has firm poop, and clear pee, but there is just something not right. I honestly don't want to send her south to another cage, but if it comes to that, I hope that it will be a quick trip. I am so worried for this girl I hope it is just a case of getting used to food, and not something serious. Wish us luck!!

Fingers crossed!