Needing help with Jake's transition

[jenn D]

Ok I've decided to start this thread because there are a lot of issues we will need to address with help Jake adjust to a new life. I'm just going to post here with questions. I've got obedience stuff down I can handle that. But there is alot of other stuff. I'll just post here any maybe one of you wise doodle lovers can help. I can try to post in food, and grooming but so any things are interrelated so I'm going to use this thread as a catch all and if mods want me to separate I can. :)

Issue first and foremost, the diet. We feed one of the foods recommended on here. Jakes current diet (what the owners been feeding him) is dry purina puppy food, and equal parts peas, corn, rice, cooked ground beef and water all mixed together. Okayyyyyyyyy. Iknow how to move a dog from 1 food to another slowly but how in the world do i handle this? Poor Jake has terrible runs! I'm taking him to the vet early this week to check for uti, stool, blood work etc. but how do I begin the transition to my food with all these other ingredients?

Thanks,I'll tackle other issues as we go along. I fear grooming wise he will need a shave. His belly, ears, and legs are horribly matted.

Thanks everyone.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Young puppies dehydrate very quickly. The fact that water was withheld from this poor guy from the age of 2 months could certainly explain psychogenic polydipsia. 

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Just to let you know, I am thinking of you and hope all good news from the vet and that the grooming goes well and to thank you again for caring for Jake.    

[jenn D]

Currently our vet doesn't have an opening until Friday morning. I took that one and said id take a cancellation if it comes about. I have a call into her to call me back today. I sent hubby to stop by the vet on his way into work. I was able to collect a fresh stool sample from jake and hubby took that along with my notes to the clinic to start the ball rolling.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Sending the sample in was a great idea. Hoping for the best results for you and Jake. 

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

You sound like you are right on top of all of this and I admire you greatly for not only saving this pup but making sure that he gets the very best. Whether it turns out that you are fostering or indeed adopting is not an issue right now. You have all my gratitude and very best wishes. We just all want Jake to have a happy, healthy life from here on in.

[jenn D]

OK Friends a few updates. Jake did great at the groomer. It took her 3 1/2 hours to get the mats out. There were over 50 foxtails in his coat under his arms on his chest and in his toes. She said 2 to 3 feel imbedded and she thinks they have worked their way into the skin and she told me to tell the vet at his visit on Friday.

THe funny thing is the word is getting out that I am fostering or foster to adopt. So many people have approached me and say they want him. Not a single one offered to go with me to the vets apt and see whats going on with him. Everyone is pretty much " Ill take him once he's fixed up".  He may need the imbedded foxtails lanced off.

 I feel that my family is falling for this sweet guy. If he does not have serious medical issues, I think he's found a forever home already. Anyway I think I have a new found appreciation for all the doodle rescues. There are a lot of people who want  a fixed up doodle on the cheap. Wading through all that crap must be completely frustrating.

Anyway here he is post grooming. Yes I bought him a new collar with a Petsmart gift card I had. ;) He cleans up really good if I do say so myself. Please disregard the crazy lady behind him in the pictures. :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

He is a beautiful guy! I'm not the least bit surprised that people want him! 

You must talk to the vet about the foxtails. I don't want to alarm you, but they can be a very serious problem and often require surgery to remove them. Left in the dog, they can cause very serious infections and even death. I've known of several cases of dogs having to have multiple surgeries to remove foxtails that had burrowed deep into the skin. One of our members, Nancie & Gracie, had this happen, and I believe Gracie had to undergo multiple surgerie to remove embedded foxtails from her feet. I'll try to find the discussions for you.  

[jenn D]

Thanks Karen. What else can I do though? I don't think it's covered under insurance and don't I have a massive wait period until he even qualifies? I'm sure my vet will do a payment plan but I am worried about the anesthesia for him :(

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There's really nothing you can do except talk to the vet and have him examined. They have to come out, and as one of the articles I linked mentioned, it almost always requires surgery. :(

The vet will do some blood testing anyway before putting him under anesthetic.  

[jenn D]

Thanks for the info on the fox tails. Those buggers are nasty!

[Lynda Kamrath]

Yes, I had a bad experience with anethesia with my goldendoodle so the next time he needed a surgery I asked the vet to do it with a laser and local.  It worked out fine.  There are some photos on my page of his surgery site, but it didn't seem to bother him at all.  In and out and hair grown back in a couple of weeks.  Gracie's foxtail worked up into her foot so check your dogs after a walk to make sure there is nothing between their toes.  You can probably get them removed without a major surgery and anesthesia.

BTW, Jake looks great!  I'm sure he is more comfortable and glad not to be brushed out with all those mats.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Jake looks great and si dies the lady with him.