My wife and I just recently (on Sunday) took in a 5 mo. old Great Dane. She wouldn't eat or drink so we took her to the vet monday afternoon. The Vet checked her out and said she was probably just suffering from the stress of changing households and such. He did find hook worm and gave us some medication for that. She finally ate last night about 5pm but still has yet to drink a drop of water since before we picked her up on Sunday about 1pm. I am getting concerned. She has no desire to do anything but sit on our couch and sleep. any advice would be much appreciated.
EJ
Hi there!
I'm squinting and trying so hard to get a good look at your sweetie pie in the picture! I have two five month old Danes and Barnum looks (from what I can tell) a lot your gal. I'm so happy she started drinking! You're in very company here. I'm new to Dane mothering (and puppies in general) and I have gotten the best advise here. It's also really nice to look at everyone's adult Dane pictures because it's like getting a 'sneak peak' into the future! Any idea what you will name her?
Re: Hi there!
Thanks, I will get a better picture of her as soon as I can. Like you my wife and I are new to Dane and puppy parenting. She unlike what we expected is so calm almost to the point of us being concerned that she doesn't do anything "puppies" do. I guess we should consider ourselves lucky we don't have to go through the "puppy" phase. I think she was abused by her previous owners, we aren't too sure of her history, but her tail stay's between her legs most of the time and she cowers when I get near her. I am making sure not to tower over her and not to pet her head instead petting her shoulders and back. She seems more inclined to my wife and any female she comes in contact with so I assume she must have had a harsh male somewhere in her life. Anyways, she's an absolutely adorable puppy and we are glad to bring her out of her shell and show her that there is more to life that being abused.
Watching them come out of their shells....
...is one of the most rewarding things of working with rescue. Seeing most of our dogs come in with their tails tucked between their legs, and day by day watching as it slowly makes its way to a 'normal' position. And so many of them do come in with 'man' issues (try being a man with a cowboy hat and sun glasses). It will take some time and patience, but when the puppy does come out.... you will be re-thinking that "lucky" comment. :>) We like our seniors!
Grumps II
a.k.a don, Mr. Heather's dad
i promise it won't be long...
...your pup will learn nothing 'bad' will happen. Your pup in on the verge of a 'love awakening' and she and your family are in for a love fest! I get goose bumps hearing you describe her because our terrier, Charlie, came to us abused and fearful of my husband. It was like she didn't know what kindness/love was and seemed in shock experiencing it for the first time. My husband put her food bowl down, tossed her treats...always giving her space and before long he was her favorite. I am myself new around here. But I've been around long enough to know you have many experienced Dane (animal lovers in general) people who always support newbies with loving responses/advice. Don't ever hesitate to post a questions,,, and please include us in just your day to day joys and challenges too.
It's one of those things ...right now you know you're in deep love with her....also knowing you've saved her....in a few short months the line will blur even more....who gave who the biggest gift of love?
Thanks everyone
Its so nice to have a community of people that are so willing to offer wisdom and guidance to us in our current challenge. I am going to start a blog either here if I can figure it out or elsewhere documenting our progress with SaDee.
she has a name!!!!
and I love it! SaDee is a great name.
Woo Hoo,
So glad she started drinking. And, Welcome to the discussion board. We love to see pictures of everyone's dogs (Danes or not) and hearing the stories, especially the puppies.
Phyllis
Thanks for the Welcome
I appreciate the welcome. I am sure we will be posting many questions here. I have posted the only picture I have on me it's one I took with my phone when we got her. I will post more.
She's drinking again!!! Whew!!
Thanks everyone for the wonderful comments. I don't have any chicken broth but i put some water in her food and she started lapping it up. WOOHOO!
I would
try chicken broth with a little water in it.
sorry
to hear you're having problems with your new baby but it probably is just that she's adjusting to her new surroundings. does she have water next to her food? is the bowl elevated and deep enough for her to get her snout in? my own dane won't drink from a normal bowl, he likes to submerge his whole face so he drinks from a pail (very messy but luckily he likes to drink when he's outside).
are you feeding her dry food? if so, try putting water in it and see if she'll eat it.
you might also try giving her a big piece of ice. some of them really like to crunch the ice and at least she'd get some fluid that way.
nonetheless, if she doesn't drink by later today, i'd call the vet back. you don't want them to get dehydrated.
keep checking back here, there will probably be lots of suggestions posted.