CA POPPY wrote: Aren't there drugs sometimes prescribed for "depressed" doggies? It seems that I've heard of it. If there are not medical issues, I think I would consider it.
They do use prozac and such things for dogs, but... I wouldn't do it, especially not with a dog that's just had an issue with a drug and is still recovering from that.
However, there is SAM-e. It is a proven anti-depressant in humans and I've used it to good effect in anxious dogs, senile dogs, dogs with pain, and where liver support was wanted. I doubt that it would do any harm, though a chat with the vet would be a good idea... and its mainstream enough these days that the vet wouldn't likely have issue. It might do some good, he could probably use some serious detox support right now anyway, and its cheap enough to try... 20 bucks or so.
Yes, the LAST thing we want to do is use drugs, which is why we have gone the holistic route with him.
CatandJim wrote: Sometimes... it just takes time, lots and lots of time to have a dog adjust to a new lifestyle. I've fostered dogs for several MONTHS that seemed like they would never emerge from the shell of existence they were trapped in.... and then one magical day their personality came to life. It is miraculous when it happens and quite surprising, especially when they go through something similar to a puppy stage at an advanced age. Not all dogs do this but some will, if they learn to trust, become comfortable, and find happiness in that trust & comfort.
Now don't get me wrong I think that owners (or fosters) of such dogs should rule out any/all health problems first, but life deals many of these rescued animals hard lives that we may not ever understand.... the kind of life that it takes a while to overcome, to actually learn happiness and to begin to thrive. Even then thriving and happiness to them may not be exactly what we have in mind for them but it is instead, their own variation of happiness.
So please go forward in your quest to determine if there are any health issues and see where that leads....Even if your dog doesn't become as full of personality as you might hope, I have faith you will love him completely just as he is. Thank you for caring about him....as they say... worts and all.
Thank you. I fully understand he may never be "exhuberant" and that is fine with me as long as he is as content as he can be, you know? It's all about him and his needs. I want to be sure we are doing all we can to so he can reach his full potential...he doesn't have to be a Harvard grad, lol.
Last night was a good night actually. He willing went out the front of the house to pee without major cajoling, this was a big step forward. He also chewed on his nylabone and played with a cardboard box (yes, he likes boxes). ALthough he had obviously scratched while we were not home, he didn't scratch ALL NIGHT which was amazing...we didn't give him his "supplements" last night either so I"m wondering about them. We see dr. tomorrow.
Back in 1975 we adopted a husky named Scamp, she was scheduled to be put to sleep. Her master had passed away and the widow didn't want anything to do with the dog, she always said he loved her more than me, sad...very.
We were contacted by a mutual friend and asked if I could help, we just moved into our new home and had our Lab Tojo and two Poodles but we decided to give it a try.
This dog was truly "joyless" she was beautiful and about seven years old. Every chance she got she ran away, back to her old home, the lady would call me to pick her up or for sure she would be put to sleep.
Finally after a few months she decided to stay put, she finally bonded with Tojo and they became fast friends, the only one that Scamp seem to connect with other than me, I figured it was because I fed her, but se started to wag her tail a little and let me hug her...then the unthinkable happened, I let them out for potty before they ate, got their food ready and called them in...and called and called, finally Scamp came in but no Tojo so I went looking, found him hit and dead down the road.
Scamp turned into a joyless miserable dog, we took her to the vet for a checkup and it was discovered she had bone cancer, she went very quickly, she just didn't care anymore...I've always considered it my biggest failure with an animal but I tried my best, it just didn't work out for any of us.
I hope you have much more success.
gemini1968 wrote: ALthough he had obviously scratched while we were not home, he didn't scratch ALL NIGHT which was amazing...we didn't give him his "supplements" last night either so I"m wondering about them. We see dr. tomorrow.
I believe Bullies are similar to the Sharpei when it comes to skin conditions, scratching and bald patches on their bodies. Our Sharpei starts in the spring and summer with the scratching and bald spots.
She refuses to eat raw so we use Innova Evo as food mixed with cottage cheese or veggies ( no wheat, corn or soy products.) The best thing for the scratching we have found is to bath her with selsium blue dandruff shampoo. It works like a charm to sooth her and stop the itching and the hair regrowth.
Papaw Hal and Gramma Suzy
Tascha, The Shar pei with Attitude
08' Rockwood Signature 8315BSS "Roxie Rose"
00' F350 XLT LA West Custom DRW 7.3 PSD
" I don’t know what the key to success is, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone."
Other than that... rule number one is to let go of your attachment to his past and all of what you think it is doing to him. Dogs live primarily in the now, but people are forever holding them back. I'm rehabbing my Mom's chi right now, and the difference between having her and Dad here talking about the poor abused dog that they adopted and how its "her temperament" and "you don't understand" and her just having me here and my dogs... is the difference between a neurotic little fear biting pain in the butt, and her starting to act like a normal dog. And I'm not saying you're like my parents... but some of your remarks indicate that you are letting "his past" affect your impressions of his future. Which does not serve him, I promise.
So, so true. I know from personal experience. My Bailey is a beaten/starved/sick rescue and 6 months after adopting him, he started biting me. Turns out I was doing just what Susan said not to. I was feeling so sorry for him and unbeknownst to me. . . sending him the wrong signals. Fortunately, I was directed by my vet to a wonderful animal behaviorist (if you want his number, pm me) who straightened me out and sent Bailey and me on a path to rehabilitation.
One other thing about his skin issues. I myself have skin problems. I can tell you from personal experience that STRESS is a HUGE factor with your skin. I'm not saying you shouldn't pursue a medical cure, but as your dog becomes more comfortable in his surroundings, you may find the skin problems improving. As his health returns to normal, his skin will improve.
My other rescue, Neal, has a brain disorder. He was never abused, but frequently appears to be spaced out and unaware of things. I researched his disorder, which also affects people, and found most people who are afflicted are autistic as well. That pretty much describes Neal. Sometimes it appears he just "exists" and other times he interacts with us more. That is just Neal.
Good luck with your dog. So glad he found YOU!
Dale
* This post was
edited 07/09/08 06:28am by Scottiemom *
Dale Pace
Wife to Terry (Teacher's Pet)
Mom to 2 rescued Scotties
Bailey and Neal
2006 Tiffin Phaeton 40' QSH, 4 slides (Phaeton Place)
2003 Sport Trac Toad
Fulltiming since retiring in 2005
One other thing about his skin issues. I myself have skin problems. I can tell you from personal experience that STRESS is a HUGE factor with your skin. I'm not saying you shouldn't pursue a medical cure, but as your dog becomes more comfortable in his surroundings, you may find the skin problems improving. As his health returns to normal, his skin will improve.
...............
Excellent insight!
Cat
(Jim just reads the forum once in a while)
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle.... Live simply, love wholly, give generously, care deeply, speak kindly.
Scottiemom wrote: Michelle, Any update on your baby? Just wondering. We all like to hear updates when we know one is struggling with issues.
Dale
Thank you, so sorry, been crazy at work. Last week he really perked up and has stayed that way. He hasn't turned into a Jack Russell or anything, lol, but that is just fine, of course. At least when we say let's go and walk out the door to get in the car for a ride he happily follows and he is awake much more. Waiting for blood work to get back. Found something he enjoys: FIlled a plain marrow bone (the Petsmart ones) with this fruit smoothie I make him (his food choices are so limited so I can't buy him the already stuffed ones)and put it in the freezer. He enjoyed sucking on it and gnawing it. We had avoided bones other than the Nylabones due to an earlier resource guarding issue, but he did fine with it. We "traded" the bone for a treat this time.
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