Rotte sick, need help ...

Dear friends,

I'm new in keeping dogs and need some advise here.

Recently aquire a 4 years old rottweiler from a friend to house it at my farm in lim chu kang.

Noticed it limps abit when it first arrives. Then last week was told by my worker that it doesn't walk anymore and eat and drink very little.Its both hind legs became very week.

Arranged and sent it to a Vet and was diagnosed with heart-worm.It was hospitalised for 2 days on drip and injection to cure this sickness.Medication oso provided.

Afterthat, was told to sent it home(the farm) and let it roam about.

However, it doesn't even walk for days upon its return and notice it starts chewing or "biting" the underside of its front leg (the portion abt 4" beneath its paw where there is another lump..)

3 days ago saw that there is a small open wound and can see the bone inside.(no bleeding), then yesterday noticed that both front legs are being "bitten".It just keep licking the area.

So today sent it to Vet again and was told that wound was not serious yet and clean and offer medication to it again. Then Vet put a Cone around its neck to prevent it from chewing further.

Question:

1) What can i do to help it recover fast so that it can walk again.

2) What causes it to bite itself?

3) Is it that dog is already old and this is its symptom ?

4) Can be be fully cure?

Your precious advise please. Thanks

Simon

Hi Simon,
I had move your thread to our Veterinary Adviser section and Dr Kenneth Tong will answer your questions.





Silvanus

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You have two separate issues to deal with.

First, check with your Vet if your dog has been completely cured of heartworm. Heartworm is a serious illness and needs proper and sustained treatment to be fully cured. From what you say, the fact that your dog is still limping / refusing to walk indicates that it is still not well. Your Vet is the best person to advise / treat your dog to ensure it recovers completely.

During the recovery period, keep the dog confined more but ensure it gets short sessions of exercise during the morning and evening/night when it is cool. It would also be a good idea to also add some raw meat / liver to the diet during the recovery period.

Second, on the issue of the wound. I would not have waited until you can see the dog's open flesh / bone until taking him to a Vet. You need to pay more personal attention to the dog and if it has an open wound, have that treated immediately because it can quickly become infected and worse, become maggot infested.

Such wounds are usually easier to cure and will require regular dressing / medication. Keep the wound dry and follow your Vet's instructions on using the cone collar, applying medication etc. Also, no vigorous exercise for the dog until both his legs and his heartworm condition recovers fully.

Going forward, ask your Vet to recommend a regular heartworm prevention medication such as HeartGard or something similar to prevent recurrence.

By the way, Kabir is the the President of German Shepherd Dog Club of Singapore.

__________________
Petsfanatics.com has no multi-million dollar marketing campaign or celebrity sponsors, but we do have something even better—you. If you enjoy Petsfanatics please consider telling a friend, sharing it with anyone who loves pets, or writing the author of a media article that overlooks us.
PETAS [Pets Enterprises and Traders Association (Singapore) ] - Committee Member
Founder of Merlion-K9 Training
www.merlion-K9.com
Public Relations Officer
FYNNMOOD GOLDFISH CLUB SINGAPORE
Public Relations Officer
Pets Community at The Serangoon
Member of Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT)

Hi Simon,

I strongly encourage you to seek your veterinarian advise again. Do keep them updated on your Rotti's condition as veterinary care/treatment is a two way communication-approach.



Cheers

Thanks Dr Tong,silvanus koh and kabir88 for your kind advise.

Next apointment with vet on this comng thursday.

Rotti begin eating and walks abit, but still weak. Lies down most of the time under shelter.

We gave her beef and chicken and insert the pill into it while feeding her.Hope tis will give her more nutrient.

We dress her wound daily and try to walk her every evening.

Hopefully, she will be ok soon.

HeartGard already prescribe . By the way ,how can we know when the dog is fully cure from heartworm?

Good Job and hope Rotti will be well soon.