Our little Chelsea--cross post from Welcome room [Archive]

OwnedByChaucer

08-16-2000, 11:04 AM

Well, we've been to the vet, and the news about her legs is not encouraging...but, we pretty well expected this. the vet seems to think everything else about her (except for the continuing raging case of coccidea) is healthy. Of course, as the vet says, it's impossible to know for SURE that there's no organ damage or anything when the pup is this young and small, but that from looking and poking, she thinks everything else is in order.

In a nutshell, her patella joints in her back legs are screwy, and she possibly either has no ligaments or no socket. The keeps her walking around on her hocks, rather than gettting up on her toes. The good news is the vet is certain that she's in no pain, and she's learning to walk quite well, the bad news is she doesn't walk like a normal dog.
We've got some isometric excercises to do, as recommended by the orthopedic specialist, and then he'll see her in about a month and hopefully he thinks he may be able to at least partially correct the problem with surgery...but they think it may be a genetic problem.

Even if she never walks right, I don't see it as a huge deal so long as she doesn't hurt. The general consensus from the vet is that by getting her away from the breeder, we probably saved her from being euthanized since apparently, often puppies with deformities like this are euthanized. Which, if the dog isn't in pain, seems pretty harsh to me.

Of course, we called the breeder since these are the first pups born from these particular parents, which were only recently acquired. The breeder now wants our baby back(and would of course refund our money) b/c she's evidently going to go after the woman who SOLD her the breeding pair and since (and I only just found this out last night) the bitch was pregnant when they got her, and they want their money back from the breeding dogs, and apparently the pups would go with that.

Plus, the breeder isn't happy that there's a deformed dog out there with their kennel name on it. My answer to that is fine, give me my money back, I'll pay all her vet bills and then you didn't SELL me a defective dog, you GAVE a dog that had special needs to people who are financially able, geographically able, and willing to get her the best care. But, I don't think the breeder can see past the $2200 that the lady who sold her the breeding dogs charged them.

At this point, we're refusing since if the pup is returned, who knows what will become of her--I suspect either irresponsible breeding or euthanasia. My husband says he'll go so far as to get a lawyer, if that's necessary in order to keep her. I maintain that it would be easier to claim she got out and got run over by a bus. Since we have friends all over the place, if need be she could go for a little out-of-area visit.

Any thoughts? Are we completely nuts to not return her and get our money back [we wouldn't return a baby that had a bum leg though, so hy would a dog be different...]? Do any of you experienced rescue folks have any experience either with leg deformity or a breeder trying to take a dog back? Lawyers? Doctors?....

thanks...

wireweiners

08-16-2000, 11:40 AM

A few questions and some comments and please don't think me rude. I don't mean to be rude but I am by nature kind of blunt and to speak my mind.

First, legally, she is yours and whether you want to return her and get your money back is your decision. However, if you decide to keep her don't expect the breeder to pay any of your vet bills.<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm36.gif" border=0>

May I ask, did you choose this puppy or did the breeder pick her for you? No responsible breeder would have sold you a puppy with that many health problems. It sounds like your pup has slipped patellas which is a genetic problem that occurs mostly in small dogs like mini dachshunds. This should have been evident by the time the pup was ready to sell and the breeder should have either a) fixed the problem before selling the pup, b) explained the problem to you and the cost/problems involved in fixing it so you could have made an informed decision or c) put the pup down.
Also I can't believe she sold you a pup with coccidia. A coccidia infection is a sign of a dirty kennel and general poor care. Coccidia are present in the intestinal tract of most dogs but dogs with normal immune systems that have proper care and sanitation don't become sick from them.

Also, responsible breeders don't buy breeding pairs. Responsible breeders make their breeding decisions based on genetic quality and compatibility of pedigrees. They may buy a pup from another breeder whose genotype or phenotype compliments or adds to their breeding program but they don't buy dogs simply to breed.

If your "breeder" doesn't want it known that a pup with the health problems that your pup has came from her kennel - too bad! <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm21.gif" border=0> She deserves to have everyone know that she is so irresponsible as to have sold an unhealthy puppy so people will no longer buy dogs from her.

I am sorry about your Chelsea's problems. I know you love her and wish you the best of luck.

For all you folks out there thinking of buying puppies, unless your breeder has a breeding plan with a goal of producing better dogs for the conformation ring, field or other performance events, that breeder is simply producing dogs to sell and is not overly concerned with quality. Don't be fooled by breeders who claim to care so much about their dogs that they don't want to show them or that aren't interested in showing they just love the breed and want everyone to have a pet as wonderful as theirs so they decided to start breeding. Those are excuses and cop outs. They are breeding because they want to make money, period!!!<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm4.gif" border=0> I will get off my soapbox now and apologize to everyone in advance except people who are breeding pets. You don't deserve an apology. <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm1.gif" border=0>

OwnedByChaucer

08-16-2000, 12:10 PM

Never mind about responsible breeders and all that--I agree, except that once a pup has been born someone has to take it home and love it. We chose her, we saw her parents, and the kennel conditions, which were quite clean. If I'd RESCUED her in this condition, I'd be a hero, but since I bought her, I get flamed. Nice. Define rescue however you like--but once the baby's born, it needs a home. Did we know going in that she needed help--yes--and that's largely why we took her.

Upon further consultation with specialists, the condition she has is called Genu Recuvatum--not the easily slipped patellas that should have been recognized. It is congenital, and they don't KNOW what causes it--but it's not necessarily hereditary. It's also VERY VERY rare. (so rare, that our regular animal hospital couldn't find anything on it in their books...)

We wouldn't send our kid back, and we won't send her back--and yes, we are prepared to pay her vet bills. We took her because we liked her personality, and it was obvious that someone needed to. It's unfortunate that we had to pay for her--but according to the specialist, this leg thing is unfortunate, but not life threatening.

Coccidea happens--and hopefully she'll fight it off. If she's got some form of organ problems, then I'll go after the breeder, but if she's healthy, and just a little gimpy we'll do what we can for her.

Should she ever have been sold--no, probably not--but then what?

Owen's Mom

08-16-2000, 12:36 PM

I re-read wirewiener's reply to your plea for opinions. I'm not trying to defend her... I don't really think she needs it; but she didn't flame you at all. The breeder you got your new baby from, yes, she had some very harsh words for that kind of practice. Hearing that she made you pay for your new pup infuriates me too, and now she wants the pup back???

She should be refunding you the cost of the pup (she should have sold it to you at a huge discount, or given her to you free; along with having you sign a spay agreement, as her health was obviously not good).

She's not a good breeder, she's only looking out for herself and her pocket book, not the pups she's selling. You deserve better treatment by her, as you took a dog she shouldn't have sold in the first place.

No flames in your direction, you did what you thought was right in this instance. I would never do business with her again and I'd end my relationship with her.

Wienergal

08-16-2000, 02:19 PM

OBC, I don't think Wirewieners was flaming you either. I understand how sensitive you must be feeling right now (and angry, and frustrated, and upset! I sure would be!), but I think WW's comments about breeders were directed at other readers of the board, as a warning to them--NOT as a rebuke to you! WW is herself a breeder, and I'm sure it infuriates her to see "breeders" behave in the way yours did.

She's right: You paid for the dog and the dog is legally yours. The "breeder" can scream and yell all she wants, but you DO NOT have to return the dog to her, and good for you for not doing that!

I understand completely how you feel about your new puppy! With both my dogs, I was completely in love with them at the end of the ride home and I would never have given them back. As you say, it would be like returning your child because it wasn't quite perfect. Unimaginable!

I don't know anything about the condition your pup has, but it sounds as if you are getting good advice from your medical professionals about it. As long as she will be able to walk (perhaps not run, but walk) and not be in pain, and as long as you can afford the vet bills, more power to you! When Peaches developed severe (and expensive!!!) allergies at age two (after suffering many, many, many health problems before that), I called her breeder to let her know--thinking that the breeder, whose family has bred champion dachshunds since the 1930s--they're famous!--would want to have that information for her breeding records. She told me it was MY FAULT that Peaches had developed allergies and said she would NOT take the dog back. Can you imagine??? After she had been my little angel for two years--she actually thought I was calling to say I wanted to give her back! <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm23.gif" border=0> Needless to say, that was the end of my relationship with THAT breeder. Let this be the end of your relationship with yours too. Tell her where to go and hang up!

And keep us posted on the leg problem, will you? I'm so sorry you have to go through this, and I applaud you for taking on the care of this little dog!

Krista

08-16-2000, 02:58 PM

Oh Please do keep the baby -you're right about what might happen to her if you don't.

In my mind this is a rescue!!!! So you paid for her, what would have happen if some idiot bought her and bred her or returned her or euthanized her???

ALL FLAMES GO TO THE BREEDER and THE BREEDER BEFORE HER!!!! -I think that is what other people meant in their posts too. Please do what you can to make sure that they are not reccommended in your area, since they are obviously not improving the breed.

Keep the girl and love her like she deserves to be loved. Did you sign a contract saying you'd return her if genetic defects were found??? If Not she is ALL YOURS FOREVER! So what if the breeder can't get her money back -too bad so sad for her!

I applaud you for wanting to give this girl a wonderful life despite her imperfections.

weenie

08-16-2000, 03:07 PM

I'm so sorry to hear about little Chelsea also. I honestly don't believe that WW was "flaming" you either. I am glad to hear that someone that is responsible and as loving as you is committed to providing a home for this poor little dog.

Chelsea is legally yours and you DO NOT have to give her back. This breeder can rant and rave all she likes.......I believe that no judge would order you to relinquish Chelsea back to this breeder.

Please keep us posted on Chelsea's progress.

-Kris

OwnedByChaucer

08-16-2000, 03:23 PM

Just checked in with the hubby who has our little "high-maintenance" girl at work with him, since he's too worried about her to leave her alone all day.

I'm feeling pretty sensitive right now--and like this is all somehow my fault--which intellectually I realize it is not, but I feel so out of control about it. Frankly, I'm not that concerned about the leg thing since it's really just an issue of her walking funky (she's starting to move pretty quickly too). I do feel like I should get some of my money back from the breeder, though I am willing to pay the $200+ vet bill that she racked up prior to coming home with us, if my money were refunded. I tend to feel that's fair, but the breeder doesn't seem to agree, and at this point, money is money, and Chelsea is a living critter...so that's more important than the money. If the only way to get my money back is to hand back over the dog, forget it, unless we find out that she has other problems that ARE immediately life-threatening and not correctable.

In the breeder's defense, Chelsea did spend three days in the vet hospital, and was treated for the coccidea, seemingly succesfully. At this point, she doesn't have any real physical sign of it either, but it showed up pretty strong in the fecal float.

As for the leg thing, since she was checked over by the vet to make sure the coccidea was the only problem, shame on the VET for not noticing/mentioning the leg problem. After we'd already fallen in love with her, I did find out some things about the breeder that bothered me, but we decided to take her anyway. I think in this case the breeder's heart is in the right place, but I'm not sure that she's as knowledgeable (in general) as she should be.

right now, getting Chelsea healthy is priority #1--dealing with the breeder is secondary.

Wienergal

08-16-2000, 03:55 PM

Sounds like you've got your priorities straight! It would be nice to get some kind of "refund," considering the money you're having to put out now, and maybe the breeder will come through without insisting on having the pup returned. But maybe not. In which case, just try to let it go.... In a few years, you won't remember having or NOT having that money. At least, that's always my attitude when I feel I've been ripped off!

You know, the sad thing is that I think there are many people breeding dogs who honestly do have their hearts in the right place--they really love dogs and are kind to them, etc. But the problem is that breeding living creatures is a formidably complex task, requiring at least as much head as heart, and sadly, many breeders are lacking in that area.

I love the fact that the hubster took Chelsea to work!! What a doting dad! What kind of job does he have that allows him to do that? Hey, I thought I was the only one on the board with an officeful of wieners! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/lol.gif

wireweiners

08-17-2000, 10:57 AM

OBC, I wasn't flaming you but I would like to flame the breeder, literally. The point I was trying to make was that the breeder should have known about this puppy's health problems and either fixed them before you bought the puppy or pointed them out to you before you bought her and fell in love with her. If she had, you could have decided either not to get her or to take her knowing what you will be facing. To me, it is unconsionable to sell an unhealthy puppy to people knowing they will love it and then be faced with expensive vet bills, the emotional trauma of having your pup constantly at the vet, and even the possibility of losing a beloved pet.

Puppies can be born with problems, some worse than others. Its part of dog breeding that a breeder must be willing to face. For example in my last litter there was one female pup that was the runt of the litter. She was very cute, had a spunky personality but it was pretty obvious she was not show quality. There was a lady interested in her as a pet. Right before the lady was to come see her, I discovered an abdominal hernia on the puppy. There was nothing portruding but you could feel that the abdominal cavity had not closed properly. I took her to my vet to have her checked out. He said that it wasn't serious and could be fixed when she was spayed. I pointed the hernia out to the buyer, let her make the decision about whether she still wanted the puppy and reduced my price by the approximate amount of the surgery. In my contract, if a puppy becomes ill within 14 days of leaving my premises or if a congenital problem is discovered, the buyer has the option of returning the pup for the purchase price or I will pay vet bills up to the amount of the purchase price. I believe it is unfair to require a buyer to return a pup that they love because of a problem that the breeder should be responsible for.

I know you and your husband love little Chelsea and want her to get well and thrive. I completely understand and would do the same if I were in your position. But your breeder should not have put you in that position in the first place. She should not have sold you an unhealthy pup without making you completely aware of the nature and extent of her problems.

Keep us posted on Chelsea's progress. The Rivendell pack sends luck and dachsie rays her way.

Mary Helen

LisaH

08-17-2000, 11:26 AM

OwnedbyChaucer, you have my sympathies. It seems pretty inconsistent for a breeder to want YOU to commit to a pup enough to give it a good home, but on the other hand expect you to return it for cashola if the pup turns out to have a medical problem. I certainly hope she gives you your money back with the agreement that she has GIVEN you the pup. I'm glad you're going to keep her either way.

My sister has a dachsie with a "subluxated patella" (or something like that), which means her back leg is weak and can slip out of joint. It happened several times when she was a pup, but practically never happens now, presumably because Lucy has adjusted to it. She runs funny, with both back legs moving together, but that's not a problem. I think your pup will adjust.

Penny's Aunt

08-17-2000, 11:46 AM

OBC, you're to be congratulated for taken on a special-needs puppy. Please unload any feeling of guilt (from whatever source), because you are doing far more for the pup than most people would (whether they could afford it or not).

I am going to diagree with you about the breeder you bought from; she is out of line asking you to return the pup for a refund.

Here's what I would have done if your pup had been produced by my bitch (wherever I had bought her):

The problem should have been fairly obvious before the pup was sold. Finding a prospective owner like you that was willing to take such a pup would have caused me considerable joy. I would have had you sign a spay agreement, not given you any papers on the pup, & given the pup to you for free, after explaining all the problems & seeing that you understood them.

I am of the opinion that she should have refunded your money without asking for the pup back. Insisting that you return the pup NOW, kind of indicates to me (IMHO) that she will simply destroy it, or the bitch's previous owner may take it back if the bitch is returned to her; then she will probably destroy it. Generally speaking, people whose foremost concern is money like to get rid of evidence like this, despite the vets' opinion that it is a kind of genetic fluke. Since you are not a breeder or show person, you aren't likely to spread the word on what they are producing.

And I wouldn't worry about them forcing you to give the pup back. To do that, they would have to take you to court, & running this situation in front of the public eye is NOT what they want. They will be sure to consider the possibility that a reporter is nearby & has a slow news day, seeing this as a human-interest story.

Good luck with your pup. She sounds like one lucky pup.

OwnedByChaucer

08-17-2000, 03:18 PM

Well, little Miss Chelsea Woolf was rushed to the vet at 6:45 this morning, with diarrhea with a little blood, and a refusal to eat...but it gets better....

They found active Ghirarida (sp?) this time, as in, the whole protozoan and not just the "markers" that are often used to diagnose it. It also appears thet the Albon is having a positive effect on the Coccidea.

The vet tells us that she clearly came with the Ghirardia, since we've only had her a few days. The vet also says that it's hard to catch since it doesn't always show up in the poop--and we got lucky, but that's likely why she got sick again. So, she has some new medicine. Apperently, Ghirardia has been a HUGE problem in this area this summer since it has rained almost every day and there is excess water EVERYWHERE. The vet says she's never SEEN so many animals with it as she has this summer.

The vet also suggested trying some Science Diet canned food, and she ate some before I left for work (she's at home today, but only for a few hours before my husband gets home). She also ate some human baby food, and got some succulent liquids at the vet.

Tomorrow, she'll go back to work with my husband (he's a software engineer at a military base where the captain likes to bring his dog to work every day--so the captain made a policy that you could bring your dog!).

Other than being a very wormy dog, the vet is confident that there's nothing that can't be cured wrong.

As for her leg thing, the vet [not our regular doc] who told us what it is after consulting with the specialist misspelled it--it's Genu Recurvatum--which as anyone who knows Latin will tell you--mean "hyperextension of the knees".

[As a funny aside, all the women, myself included, on my mother's side of the family have severly hyper-extended knees, so she'll fit right in at family reunions...*laughs*<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm12.gif" border=0>.]

We're still very worried about her of course--but she RAN this morning for the first time, and so hopefully once we gether GI track taken care of.....all will be well.

WOTANSMUTTI

08-17-2000, 08:16 PM

Hi ObC!
I've been following all the troubles in these postings, but had nothing to offer up to this point except that I think you and your hubby are great people for committing to this baby.

I'm the same way- once I see an animal and it sees me, we are "one".

Giardia is nasty- I had it baaaad when I was in the Peace Corps many yrs ago. You lose your appetite and bloat with gas something fierce. Poor puppy. It is easy to get rid of when medicated. Hope Chelsea gets well fast!

<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm3.gif" border=0>

Sonja and Wotan

Mickamack

08-18-2000, 06:38 AM

Poor little Chelsea! I'm so sorry to hear that she's having a rough time of it. But I am thrilled to know that with medicine, she'll start feeling better really soon. She is so lucky to have you and your husband as kind and loving parents.

Just as a side note, I am astonished that a breeder sold you a dog that was so sick. She's had several diseases in her very short little life, and apparently the conditions at her place weren't the best. I've never heard of a little dog that sick coming from a breeder. I wonder how many other dogs at her place are sick too?

But on the upshot, Chelsea ran for the first time?! That must have been so encouraging to see! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif I'm sure that once her medicine is kicking those old diseases out of her body, she'll REALLY perk up and and you'll really get a sense of who the real Chelsea is. What fun!

Keep us updated on how Chelsea is.

Karen

dutchman

08-18-2000, 07:38 AM

It looks like you little one has turned into a real rescue. Giardia is unpleasant but not uncommon here in Colorado. Most people or animals who become ill have drank from a stream where other animal waste has been deposited upstream either directly or indirectly. One interesting side note if you do have to drink untreated water from a stream you are less likely to get Giardia if you drink form a calm pool rather than a fast moving section of the creek or river. The Giardia is heavy enough it will settle to the bottom if the water stay still too long. It sounds like you have a good vet catching all these things.

I'm not too sure how the orthopedic center is at the Vet Teaching Hospital here at Colorado State University is ranked. They are perhaps best know for their cancer research and have an overall ranking of number tow in the nation for the VTH. At this point I will go ahead and make an offer to try and help coordinate things on this end if your vet ever wants to refer Chelsea here. No I can't give you the names of individual doctors to contact I'm not directly involved with the hospital but I can help with general tips about where to stay to be close to the hospital, check on which hotels are dog friendly and possibly even offer a hide a bed in my living room for a couple of nights. I don't expect we will see you out here I know you are a long way from here and I'm sure there are good specialist closer to you but just wanted to make the offer. This offer will stand for anyone who needs some help. Like I said the hospital is especially well known for their cancer research.

Good luck,

Tom

Dachshund kisses to Chelsea from Frank, and Tanner

Penny's Aunt

08-18-2000, 12:59 PM

Giardia can be a real problem, not only to get rid of, but afterwards (for months) she may still have a delicate digestive system, so be prepared for it.

BTW, Giardia is EVERYWHERE! It can be deposited in the soil & live for something like 30 yrs.

If she doesn't have much appetite, keep a couple of cans of Cheddar Cheese Soup on hand. When my sister's little old dog was mauled, she wouldn't eat or drink, so I got some cheese soup & thinned it down, & suddenly she found she had some appetite!

Swanson's low-fat, unsalted Chicken Broth is also good.

[This message has been edited by Penny's Aunt (edited August 18, 2000).]

wireweiners

08-18-2000, 02:37 PM

I am glad to here that you have found out what was wrong with Chelsea's tummy and hope she is on the mend soon.

When Wheeler had his bout of HGE, he turned up his nose at the special canned food the vet had him on so I cooked rice and ground turkey for him. I started out with a tablespoon or 2 every hour and increased the amount as he was able to tolerate it. The Gerber all meat baby foods are good too. They are fairly bland but the dogs like it. A small amount of plain yogurt once a day will help keep the good bacteria in her tummy.

I agree with Penny's Aunt, Chelsea's breeder should refund your money and be very glad you are giving this baby a loving home.<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm38.gif" border=0>

OwnedByChaucer

08-18-2000, 03:24 PM

Good Chelsea News!

The little darlin' is doing pretty well. she's eating Science Diet Growth Formula, and she's had some beef baby food too--but she seems pretty enthusiastic about the Science Diet. Her poop is now resembling something solid, and there's no more blood. She ate well today from what my husband says, though she didn't want to eat this morning first thing, she ate when he got her to work about an hour later. (maybe she' not used to being fed more than once a day--we've noticed she generally eats better later in the day--or maybe she's just not a breakfast dog...*laughs*)

Of course, she's getting so spoiled, as my husband now hauls her around in a baby snuggli when she's not sleeping in her crate or playing (this dog REALLY likes to be held...) *laughs* He's such a softie.

I have a picture of her now, but I'm not sure how to post it.

<IMG SRC="http://c:\chelsea.doc" border=0>

Augie Dog

08-18-2000, 04:06 PM

Well, that is welcome news to hear!

Once she gets her strength back, I'm sure that everything will turn out.

georgette

08-19-2000, 07:55 PM

This is obviously a match made in heaven. You're saving a little girl's life. Manymanymanymanymanymany years from now when you meet at the bridge,<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm37.gif" border=0> you'll be a really special family in heaven.
Sending more good wishes your way, Georgie, Gabby, Danny, Gail, Gerie

Penny's Aunt

08-20-2000, 04:39 PM

You & Chelsea aren't the only match made in heaven... your husband sounds like a real winner, too!

OwnedByChaucer

08-21-2000, 07:09 AM

Chelsea file...

Well, at this point, the news is mixed. The weekend, as a whole, was very encouraging. Sunday morning, she trotted out of her kennel, over the the dog food dish, and just chowed down the dry food that was out for Chaucer....She played ALOT this weekend, and was very excited and inquisitive when I took her for a walk (she goes in the snuggli, cuz I won't let her walk on the ground)...plus, she was drinking and peeing normally, and had a very solid bowel movement (not to mention huge, since she went nearly 36 hous without having one...but the vet said that was okay since at that point she was eating well and running around, that she might just be so emaciated that her body is sucking up everything...

But, last night and this morning, she won't eat again, so this morning it was back to force feeding her baby food with a syringe. She is still drinking normally though.

I swear she's just picky. It's like she wants a differnt kind of food every 2 or 3 days....soon, I'm going to start making her a menu to choose off of. ARGHHHH!!

Penny's Aunt

08-21-2000, 10:50 AM

Try spooning a little cheese soup or grated cheese or something else really tasty over her food. Sometimes it just takes a little flavor boost.

You might also leash Chaucer nearby, & see if a little competition increases her appetite.

georgette

08-21-2000, 01:25 PM

You gave her the same food this morning?
Either way, she could be saying she wants more of that stuff, or, that she wants something different.
Our Gabby is very funny - sometimes she won't eat something she LOVES because she wants you to hand feed her or make her even more comfy. Then she scarfs it down but she never gobbles like Dan. She's a lady remember!<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm34.gif" border=0>

dutchman

08-21-2000, 01:50 PM

With all of Chelsea's intestinal problems you want to be carefully but here is another idea. When my family got one of our little eight week old smooth girls the breeder told us she had been adding a teaspoon of a cottage cheese and soft boiled egg mixture with her food. She loved that combination any any time you wanted to give her a special treat when she got older you could mix up some of this and she would just go crazy.

The baby food is not a bad idea. I think Aggie got some chicken, beef and turkey when she was in the CCU at the vet hospital.

Good luck

Tom, Frank and Tanner

luv_4_doxies

08-21-2000, 07:32 PM

Hmmm.... maybe she just wants a seat at the table<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm42.gif" border=0> Hope everything turns out ok. Keep us posted!

OwnedByChaucer

08-23-2000, 09:24 AM

I'm very sorry to say that little Chelsea did not make it. It turns out that she had extensive, internal, congintal deformities. We were advised that while we could put her through numerous surgeries, it would be very unlikely that she'd live to see her 1st birthday, so with our vet's assitance, we made the decision that the only humane thing to do was to put her down. By the end, she was on oxygen, as it was difficult and painful for to breathe, and she was unable to eat or relieve herself.

We miss her immensely, and we are very sad, but we are glad that we had her in our lives for the short time that we did and that she is no longer suffering. Still, our hearts are broken and will always have a special place for her....

Thanks for everyone's thoughts and suggestions.