Liz/Kevin/Thomas/Dog Folks...please step inside! [HELP needed]

[LilRedCorvette]

Don't know if you remember the thread (will look for it in a minute), but a friend of mine died unexpectedly in June of last year and left behind 2 Boxers. My parents (who have had several Boxers in the past) adopted them and they were doing fine for several months (since July).

Cosmo (the male) recently developed some 'issues'....panting/shaking/anxiety symptoms. Started in December, so my parents took him to the vet for blood work and tests. His thyroid was a touch low, but the vet thinks his issues are mental in nature. He has been on Reconcile (aka Doggie Prozac) for a week now, but according to the vet it takes about 3 weeks for it to really start working or to be of any help.

My parents thought he was extremely unhappy and did not know what to do for him anymore, so I just brought him back and he is here with me now. He looks so very sad, has lost weight from a constantly upset stomach and not wanting to eat, and does not like to be left alone (he cries like a baby). With my parents, he was only alone for a few hours once a week. His previous owner who died took him everywhere, never left him alone (and did him no favors by doing that).

I don't understand why all of a sudden this happened. He was healthy and happy for so many months, until now. I want to help the poor lil guy, but need some help/ideas/perspective from other dog folks, particularly from those who have worked with rescues who had/have similar issues.

Sorry for the essay but just trying to get it all down...

[repo]

Ugh, that's awful!

Good luck, and hopefully all is well in a few weeks.

[NeedSpeed]

How old?

[LilRedCorvette]

Originally Posted by repo

Ugh, that's awful!

Good luck, and hopefully all is well in a few weeks.

I know, it absolutely breaks my heart thanks for the well wishes...

Originally Posted by NeedSpeed

How old?

5

[73sbVert]

Originally Posted by LilRedCorvette

Don't know if you remember the thread (will look for it in a minute), but a friend of mine died unexpectedly in June of last year and left behind 2 Boxers. My parents (who have had several Boxers in the past) adopted them and they were doing fine for several months (since July).

Cosmo (the male) recently developed some 'issues'....panting/shaking/anxiety symptoms. Started in December, so my parents took him to the vet for blood work and tests. His thyroid was a touch low, but the vet thinks his issues are mental in nature. He has been on Reconcile (aka Doggie Prozac) for a week now, but according to the vet it takes about 3 weeks for it to really start working or to be of any help.

My parents thought he was extremely unhappy and did not know what to do for him anymore, so I just brought him back and he is here with me now. He looks so very sad, has lost weight from a constantly upset stomach and not wanting to eat, and does not like to be left alone (he cries like a baby). With my parents, he was only alone for a few hours once a week. His previous owner who died took him everywhere, never left him alone (and did him no favors by doing that).

I don't understand why all of a sudden this happened. He was healthy and happy for so many months, until now. I want to help the poor lil guy, but need some help/ideas/perspective from other dog folks, particularly from those who have worked with rescues who had/have similar issues.

Sorry for the essay but just trying to get it all down...

It's very simple, he's heartbroken. Your friends meant a lot to him and he misses them, and probably doesn't understand why he isn't with them anymore. The doggah Prozac is only disguising the problem.

Bring him to places where he can meet lots and lots of (preferably happy!) people and not have time to pout. Parks and such where kids are, old folks homes where they love animals (and it boosts the morale of the people in there too! Win-win!)
Doggie day care places, dog-friendly parks, etc.

Keep him busy for a while (take a whole weekend and do lots of stuff, and repeat as often as you can)

Hope this helps.


Paul

[NeedSpeed]

Hmm, seems a bit young still for mental issues. Especially if they didn't develop right away.

As attached as the pet was though it could be developed. I think mine would have gone that route had she lost me. It was hard for me to get someone to watch her for a few days without her flaking out a little.

Some do get almost too attached, it could be they thought it was just short term and the "waiting" for return just was too much.

Dogs can be very emotional, and that's not the healthiest thing in the world.

[C5Nate]

Thundershirt | The Best Dog Anxiety Treatment



I know it sounds like a gimmick but I know people who swear by them. One of them my niece who has 2 boxers.

Go HERE for a story about boxers and Thundershirt.

[LilRedCorvette]

Originally Posted by 73sbVert

It's very simple, he's heartbroken. Your friends meant a lot to him and he misses them, and probably doesn't understand why he isn't with them anymore. The doggah Prozac is only disguising the problem.

Bring him to places where he can meet lots and lots of (preferably happy!) people and not have time to pout. Parks and such where kids are, old folks homes where they love animals (and it boosts the morale of the people in there too! Win-win!)
Doggie day care places, dog-friendly parks, etc.

Keep him busy for a while (take a whole weekend and do lots of stuff, and repeat as often as you can)

Hope this helps.


Paul

I plan on keeping him very busy now that he's here, but....

Why though, after being with my folks for 5-6 months and happy (had gained weight, no behavioral issues), would he start to 'miss' his former owner? He didn't have any of these issues, even when I first brought him up there (and we expected them, but he transitioned so easily). It just doesn't add up.

[LilRedCorvette]

Originally Posted by C5Nate

Thundershirt | The Best Dog Anxiety Treatment



I know it sounds like a gimmick but I know people who swear by them. One of them my niece who has 2 boxers.

Go HERE for a story about boxers and Thundershirt.

THANK YOU for this, I will give this a try!

[73sbVert]

Originally Posted by LilRedCorvette

I plan on keeping him very busy now that he's here, but....

Why though, after being with my folks for 5-6 months and happy (had gained weight, no behavioral issues), would he start to 'miss' his former owner? He didn't have any of these issues, even when I first brought him up there (and we expected them, but he transitioned so easily). It just doesn't add up.

Have no idea really. Maybe he was doing ok, then something happened that triggered him into missing them?

I'm no dog psychologist! (don't even play one on TV!!) Seems to me though that he is mourning, but maybe doesn't know why he feels bad.

That Thundershirt thing looks awesome, try that too!

At any rate, good luck with him, hate to see dogs go through that and not come together.

[NeedSpeed]

Originally Posted by LilRedCorvette

I plan on keeping him very busy now that he's here, but....

Why though, after being with my folks for 5-6 months and happy (had gained weight, no behavioral issues), would he start to 'miss' his former owner? He didn't have any of these issues, even when I first brought him up there (and we expected them, but he transitioned so easily). It just doesn't add up.

I agree, doesn't make sense.

Sometimes things like that just happen though.

[LisaJohn]

We worried that Fletcher, the tornado survivor dog that we adopted, would have issues after being in a tornado, displaced, separated from his family and living at the shelter for a few weeks before we got him but he seems to be well adjusted. He had several potty accidents at first but that improved quickly after we got to know each other. We got him July 11. The lady at the humane society told us to spend lots of time with him. She suggested just walking him on a leash until he got to know us. John would walk him in the mornings and I walked him in the afternoons. The thundershirts were highly recommended by the staff at the shelter. It was raining on the day I went to finalize the adoption and several dogs that were tornado survivors were wearing the thundershirts. The ladies at the humane society said they work. Fletcher has not gotten anxious or nervous when there has been a storm. It's thundering, lightning and raining now and he is asleep in the recliner with John. I would give the thundershirt a try and lots of extra love and attention. I hope he gets better.
L

[GS Ragtop]

Originally Posted by C5Nate

Thundershirt | The Best Dog Anxiety Treatment

I know it sounds like a gimmick but I know people who swear by them. One of them my niece who has 2 boxers.

Go HERE for a story about boxers and Thundershirt.

I'll vouch for the Thundershirt. A friend has a rescue - the dog is completely neurotic. Three years later he still trembles, growls, and whines when males come near him. My friend has tried everything, nothing worked until they got him a Thundershirt.

I've been over visiting twice since they got him the shirt -- both times the dog came right up to me and nuzzled my hand, looking for attention and a little scratch behind the ears. He rubs his body on my leg (like a damn cat) and wants to stand so close he steps on my feet.

It is a simply amazing transition. I hope you have similar success. It sure would be worth the 40 bucks to give it a try.

[tshirts and jeans]

i would keep him with the other dog......separating them would cause more depression.....also if there is any way to get something of your deceased friends ....such as a shirt, a throw rug ...something that had his smell on it.....(i realize that you probably cant) ....but if you can this would comfort him alot.......my vet always told me to bring a towel or shirt that i had rubbed on me if my animals ever had to stay overnite......

feel so sorry for him......good luck

[wwomanC6]

I hope the above suggestions work and he becomes a happy dog again. Good Luck and keep us updated!

[onedef92]

Very interesting thread. We're hoping to get a Boxer this Spring, too. I hear they're really great with kids.

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

First of all, people whom claim dogs don't have feelings are clueless.

Here is what I would try. Definitely give the Thundershirt a shot. A LOT of my dog show friends swear by them.

Now the hard part. Sounds like Rover is heartbroken over losing his buddy. Your idea of keeping him busy is OK, but eventually he needs to develop some confidence.

DO give him plenty of attention, DON'T coddle him. His life needs to be stable and structured right now. I wouldn't subject him to over stimulus quite yet.

You have kids? Remember when your kid would fall down and the FIRST thing they would do is look at Mom or Dad for a reaction? If Mom and Dad made a big deal out of it, it BECAME a big deal. If they said: "Oh, you're OK no need to cry you're a big boy!". What happened? You didn't cry and you rode away on your bicycle and resumed the poon chase.

Dogs are much the same. Don't baby him, but do show him plenty of affection. He needs to re-bond with people again, he lost his person.

As for the eating, I would worry TOO much. Dogs don't go on hunger strikes. . He'll eventually start eating, but it will most likely be slowly.

Keep us updated. And good luck.

[MEC5LADY]

Originally Posted by C5Nate

Thundershirt | The Best Dog Anxiety Treatment



I know it sounds like a gimmick but I know people who swear by them. One of them my niece who has 2 boxers.

Go HERE for a story about boxers and Thundershirt.

I was going to suggest this as I have heard some good things... Petsmart has them. Let me know if I can do anything.

[mrvette]

Originally Posted by onedef92

Very interesting thread. We're hoping to get a Boxer this Spring, too. I hear they're really great with kids.

Wife and her sis grew up on 3 acres they now own about 6 miles from here, and so had a boxer that was their guardian, always positioned himself between the two of them kids and anyone else not a family member,

My dawg as a kid was a Samoyed (sp?)....and dumb as a box of rox.....

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

My dawg as a kid was a Samoyed (sp?)....and dumb as a box of rox.....

****RONG****

You must have had the only dumb one. They are great dogs.