Roscoe #3750 Day Two (and Morning Three)

Yesterday started out well, it would seem to me that Mr. Roscoe likes to sleep in or is used to someone with a working schedule. He went out when I got him up, ate, went out again, and went back into his crate to sleep... I wasn't feeling very well, so most of my morning was spent on the couch with my pups. (Roscoe came out when he realized I wasn't crating them). Some times I wish I had 'Go-Go-Gadget Arms' so that when they all pile up so cute together with me I could take pictures. The three of use were very lazy for most of the morning. I needed some cuddly nap time, and they were just the medication for me.

Nap time had to end sometime, and I am not rich enough to afford a maid, so I had to get off my duff. I even left all three to roam while I cleaned... Cold dog noses sniffing my rear while scrubbing, reminded me why I normally crate them... On the plus side, Roscoe wasn't even fazed by the floor scrubber OR the vacuum. Of course, they would all get up close to sniff it and run away, and then come up and sniff and run and sniff... I had to laugh.

Dahnke and Roscoe like to lay on the floor and guard the bathroom door while I'm in there. My bathroom isn't very big, so it's an interesting squeeze. I try to shoo them out, but Dahnke just opens the door and lets herself (and Roscoe now) back in. So I gave up, I need to remind myself to lock the door.

Roscoe got his first dose of Panacur yesterday morning, and the second this morning for the hookworms. Tomorrow will be the last dose for a month and then he will have three more daily doses and be done. But since I've had some questions in the groups about hookworm, here's some more information:

http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_multi_ancylostomiasis

http://www.petsandparasites.org/dog-owners/hookworms.html

Basically, I can't stress enough the importance of picking up after your animals. Hookworm is an intestinal parasite that gets into animals (yes, even humans) via ingestion or through the skin (yes, even unbroken skin). The eggs are released in the excrement and if the conditions are right, within 24 hours there are young larvae in your yard waiting on their next victim. Once into a host, they travel to the digestive tract (primarily the smaller intestine) and they attach themselves to the intestinal wall and suck blood. According to my research, about 300 of these suckers can cause about 10% blood loss in a medium sized adult dog. The symptoms include pale lips, gums, and ears; diarrhea, vomiting.... But every dog is different. There are also HW preventatives that treat other worms and parasites too (including hookworm), but you should have your vet run fecal tests 1-2 times a year.

I've been taking Roscoe to a part of the yard that my two can't go into and cleaning it up right away. This, the Panacur for him, and the Revolution I keep my pups on is sufficient treatment and prevention. I might take this diagnosis lightly, but it's only because it was caught early, and that I'm already taking preventative steps and treating. Gone untreated this can become a very serious problem. If you have any questions, you should talk to your veterinarian. 

#3750 Day One

Yesterday was a very busy day! I got up early to get some stuff done around the house before leaving to pick up the new pup, and got on my way. The drive was uneventful, and I picked up Tony #3750 (now Roscoe) and we went straight to the vet (and by straight, I mean it was a little over an hour and a half from the pickup point).

The basics:
Age: approximately 1-1.5 years
Weight: 65 lbs, could stand to gain 5-8 more pounds
Shots: now current
Neutered: not yet
Teeth: Excellent
Coat: Flashy Brindle- soft

He seems to be adjusting well. I let him roam the house a for a few minutes, then crated him and let D and M out to meet him and go outside. Then I cycled out of the crate time Two at a time. D and M, M and R, R and D, repeat. I had all three out for about an hour last night all together at the end of the night. And so far so good. Medwin wants to play with him, but Dahnke seems a little leary.

Roscoe is a puller, so we will need to work on that. He had his first dose of Panacur, for the hookworms the vet found in his stool, and I've been letting him relieve himself in a part of the yard the other dogs can't get to and cleaning it up right away.

So all in all, everything is going well here. Pictures soon.

Current Household 2/11

Medwin

-Boxer

-Male

-13 months

-Likes: duck jerky, playing at the park, and chewing on toys (and walls if you don't pay attention to me), hanging out with Mommy, and going for runs

Dahnke

-Boxer

-Female

-3 to 4 years

-Likes: duck jerky, playing with balls, and sleeping in Mom's lap

(http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/18677716)

Plus two kitties, but this is a Dog Blog... ;)

That's it for right now, but the plan is for me to foster a shelter dog. So currently we are all working together to pull this little guy from a shelter and get him to his temporary home (mine) so that I can fix him up before he finds his forever home.

So today we work on a transportation plan, and also I'm working on a veterinary plan.

In case you aren't familiar, introducing a new dog into a multiple animal household takes some planning and careful organization. When pulling from a shelter, you have NO IDEA WHAT YOU ARE GETTING INTO. Especially since I personally am not pulling this dog from the shelter, I won't know until I pick him up from the person before me. Until I can get him assessed by a veterinarian, the dog will need to be isolated from my current pets to reduce exchange of any communicable germs/parasites between them.

**Pupdate**

I called the shelter on my lunch to gather a little more information. The dog was picked up on the interstate as a stray, is intact (hasn't been neutered yet) and the shelter does not do any type of 5 way before release, or flea treatment. Our first vet appt will be a fun one.

*Wait until he finds out he's gonna lose his little soldiers! :/

**Pupdate2**
Plan is in action. The shelter dog will be pulled tomorrow and his journey to me will begin at 7 am Saturday. Just in time for me to get him to the vet before they close Saturday. :)

Introductions

I have this really amazing ability to start these things and lose interest. I figured I'd warn you now. Blogging for me started as a way to rant, and complain about men, and work, and my life in general. Well, my life in general has taken turns that even I never expected.

Hi, my name is Angela and I am trying to change the world.

Wow. That's a BIG statement, huh? Perhaps I should be a little more specific.

Hi, my name is Angela and I am a volunteer with the Greater Ohio Boxer Rescue, and I am trying to change the world one dog at a time.

Hmmm, for me it's more than just about the dogs, but this blog IS about the dogs, so here goes:

I hope that in detailing my experiences as a Boxer Mom, and Boxer Foster Mom that maybe someone will read this and find it useful.