I Think I May Have A Problem N My Hands...

[♪♫LMBC♫♪]

Oh where to start...

Last week, my sister moved back into our house, bringing with her, her three dogs. She has a male cattle dog about a year old, an 18 month old staffy, and a 5 week old cattle dog x staffy. Yes thats right, she decided that she wasn't going to desex the dogs, and is now raising their offspring. There was only one puppy in the litter. She also has two other dogs that stayed with her boyfriend, a cattle dingo mix and another of her poor little staffy's babies, who is about 9 months old.

Firstly, the Staffy, Jess, has had two puppies (is it still called a litter when theres only one?) and has been on heat twice. She is extremely thin, even though she eats and eats and eats, and she has terrible mange. The cattle dog Oscar is hormonal, scared of sticks and is aggresive towards my 7 year old border collie Sam. We have fenced of a section of the yard for my sisters dogs to play away from my dog, but on the few occasions that they have been together, they have fought. Well, it is Sam's territory after all. All three dogs have fleas. They have no flea treatment, and have only had their puppy vacs (n boosters) with the exception of the baby who has not had vacs yet at all. She is supposed to have them next week but my sister most probably 'can't afford it'.

On top of all this, Jess and Oscar are untrained, with the exception of knowing how to sit. They will sit only when there is food involved, and only for a brief few seconds. I have been given the task of training them. I don't expect to be payed for this, but I don't mind because i know they need it. They are both very strongly food orientated, which makes my job that much easier.

But my biggest concern is the baby. She has so many fleas and they are causing her o get scabs everywhere from scratching. i think they are begginning to build nests. And, although she was supposed to be given away to a new home when she's old enough, just this morning I heard my sister say "I think I like you to much to give you away. Maybe i'll just keep you."

I know she loves her dogs but this is not right. She can't keep her. Sh ewon't vaccinate her, she won't desex her, she won't worm her and those fleas aren't going to just disappear. She knows she should desex the dogs and worm them etc but she just can't afford it. And my parents aren't going to help her, because they want the dogs gone.

[Alison1474]

;)

Ohhhhh what a horrible situation.

I would let her know that if she doesn't get those dogs medicated, desexed and fed properly you will report her.

Harsh I know but honestly that's what needs to happen.

Those poor, poor dogs..........

:D

ps.... Good on you for trying to help.

[PAX]

I don't think she loves dog's at all.

If she loved dog's she would not let a puppy have pupies TWICE. To make it worse the dog has mange.

If she loved dog's she would know that she is not in a financial position to have them.

If she loved dog's she would not let them have fleas and mange..FGS

She would also have their basic health needs covered, what a selfish person.

What moron would let a dog with bad mange have pups, geez lets breed more of them. ;)

[raz]

I don't think she loves dog's at all.

I dont think she does either. She's totally irresponsible.

Good for you P-L for trying to train them. Your sister needs a damn wake up call though.

[saintlysusan]

I think you must be a very nice person to even let her stay,

If I knew someone had pets that were probally going to give my dogs something I WOULDNT let them anywhere near my animals, but I'm a Bitch so it might just be me. Do you wonder if your pets are at risk?

She should try to find them homes that can offer them the care they disserve, she obviously dosent care *enough* to keep them in good physical shape!

[jbbb]

I agree - totally selfish.

[MaxSpots]

I know she loves her dogs but this is not right. She can't keep her. Sh ewon't vaccinate her, she won't desex her, she won't worm her and those fleas aren't going to just disappear. She knows she should desex the dogs and worm them etc but she just can't afford it. And my parents aren't going to help her, because they want the dogs gone.

I agree with your parents,

she can't look after them herself (so far she isn't, and as you said you know she won't with the pup either )

definately find a home for the pup

And maybe think about giving her an ultimatum; she either looks after their health needs properly or rehomes the others.

Lets face it if she doesn't then the choice will be taken out of her hands through illness (worm, vaccinate, get vet treatement for the mum dog who probly has bone density issues now)

You can't keep picking up the slack for these people, believe me I've tried (my sister who has had 10 dogs in as many years!! and countless other pets...it's sickening and you have to get tuff and cut them off..... not cut them off as a friend or sister, but put your foot down about pet care and what is the right thing for the animal)

[Ons]

and I owuld also be concerned about getting some flea treatment as well for your sister's dogs just for the sake of your own dogs coz they are buggers to get rid of even if your dogs are flea treated, if they are around, they will find them

good for you though trying to help.

[♪♫LMBC♫♪]

Thanks for the advice. Is there anything that can be used on fleas for such a little puppy?

Also, MaxSpots mentioned something about bone density problems? What are some of the symptoms of that becuase she has been walking with a bit of a limp and I couldnt find anything wrong with her feet or legs...

[Ons]

have a look at the packets at the vets for the fleas, they should be able to help you , if not ask the vets. The parents can be doen with frontline, advantax or similar.

tips for spraying the yard anyone? coz that should probably be done. I would probably also do your dogs as well if they haven't been done for three weeks.

Edited November 2, 2006 by Onslowsmum

[MaxSpots]

Also, MaxSpots mentioned something about bone density problems? What are some of the symptoms of that becuase she has been walking with a bit of a limp and I couldnt find anything wrong with her feet or legs...

Hi pitty lover, I don't know symptoms to look for and I might be getting Bone density and Calcium deficiency mixed up.

In my head they are related but I don't know the facts.

When my "dog collecting" sister's dog was feeding puppies it needed calcium supplements and the vet mentioned ongoing bone problems for the mother and her pups due to the inadequate diet she was feeding, so thats why I mentioned it in relation to your situation.

Only reason she found out (about the deficiency) was because I witnessed the dog have a slight fit while I was visiting and made her take it to the vet.

That particular dog and all her pups were eventually surrendered to the RSPCA

[Diesel the Weasel]

Perhaps you could train your sister while you are training the dogs??

The vet gave me frontline for my 7 week old pup - he didn't have fleas, but had some tapeworm. These are carried by fleas so thought it was best to treat for both. She said that the frontline one that you put on their skin would also kill fleas and eggs in their surroundings (bed etc...).

Good luck!

[Jed]

And, of course, your sister's dogs and pup, not having been wormed, and having fleas, will be happily passing on tape and hookworms to your dogs, via the ground (hookworm) and the flieas (tapeworm), so in addition to everything else, you must worm her dogs, and you should worm your dogs, before they become ill.

The fleas will happily migrate to your ground, and breed, giving you an ongoing problem, so treating all the dogs for fleas is a must too.

[KOE`VU]

Your sister cant let her want for the dogs get in the way of what is best for them NOW. Those poor things are sick and need the right attention and treatment they deserve

If you are able to afford to start them off on some worming and flea treatment, then do it. But I would also be having a very stern chat to your sis about what is in their best interests. I have heard that fleas do not like garlic or lime??? Perhaps someone else could confirm this for me.

[t-time]

I'm sorry to say - I don't think your sister loves her dogs.

If you love your dogs, you try to do the very best for them and your sister has done NOTHING for these poor buggers :p

Call the RSPCA, explain the situation and ask if someone can come and either "have a chat" with your sister and convince her to do the right thing AND/OR remove the dogs. :p

It is considered cruelty to animals not to provide medical treatment.

If the dogs are staying they need immediate flea treaments, worming and sounds like vaccination. The poor 18 month old bitch sounds like the she needs extra veterinary attention and desexing. The cattledog needs desexing plus the poor thing has obviously been hit with a stick at some stage. Formal training might be in order here along with a lot of patience from all concerned. The puppy may also be anaemic - loss of blood from all the fleas biting it. :p

In addition whether or not these dogs stay or go, your dogs' environment is now contaminated - you will need to deflea and worm your dogs again.

The whole area will need to be "bombed" and yes, lime is good for this but will kill off plants and/or grass in the process. I would recommend buying some Fido's Flea & Tick CONCENTRATE. Wash all the dogs including the puppy in this product as per directions. Then dilute some in a watering can and water every bit of ground the dogs have been on ie. the whole yard and not just sister's dogs areas. Then lime the boundaries. Wash any bedding in eucalyptus woolwash.

Then treat all the dogs again a couple of days later and apply appropriate flea prevention like Frontline, Advantage, Capstar, whatever.

[vic2010]

I give my dogs garlic everyday in addition to their flea treatment. The fleas don't like the odour. You can also use frontline on very young pups.

Also, yes lime in the soil helps control fleas in your yard.

[Muttaburra]

Some apple cider vinegar in the drinking water also helps with fleas, and can be a good overall conditioner for a dog. Not sure of the dosage, I am guessing a teaspoon or two, someone here will know.

Chicken wings and chicken necks are cheap, you can also get turkey necks these days, so these would be ideal to help with general health too.

It sounds as though your sister fell in with some bad company and seriously needs a reality check.

The mother bitch should be spayed as a matter of urgency, I suspect her condition is more than worms, and could be gynacological abnormalities. I don't know about your locality, but it would be worth considering contacting the nearest Animal Welfare League to enquire about discount desexing.

This is a terrible situation for you and your parents to have arrive at your doorstep, is there some way you could get your sister to some family counselling to get some committment from her to sort the dogs out?

[♪♫LMBC♫♪]

Ok, I have a bit of an update. My parents have bought some frontline treatments for the dogs, really just so that our dog doesn't get them too. he has his own flea treatment but we didn't want to take the risk. I am planning on contacting the local animal welfare leauge about desexing the bitch at least.

Tonight, I am going with my sister to an obedience class. It's a good cheap one ($6 per dog per class) and includes a bit of agility. I've checked them out and they seem pretty good.

As for the cattle dog being hit by a stick, my sisters boyfriend (who is now 'looking after' her othr two dogs) used to hit them with sticks, shoes, his fists, whatever was available. He's got anger management problems and drinks too much.

Fortunately the new puppy was bought to live with us so she has not been subjected to the same treatment.

And while I'm on the sybject of the puppy...

She is now fully weaned, almost flea free and growing at a healthy rate. She is a bit of a sook but she's very playful. She tries to get in on her mum and dad's wrestling matches.

The only thing I'm worried about is that the puppy might not be gettng properly socialised, as she doesn't have any littermates. Any ideas? I also found out that both dogs are due for booster vacs at the same time. This is good because we can get them both done together and only hvae to pay for it once, rather than getting one done and having to go back for the other.

i have one last question: Can the pup be given the same commercial worming treatments as the parents, or does she need somethign different?

I have to go now to prepare a 'treat bag' for obedience class. Wish me luck