Help! I found two stray puppies and need advice!

[cedahlia]

I found them running in the road near my house. They are very friendly but don't look so good. Their fur is patchy and balding in some spots. They don't appear emaciated, though. And they are wearing what appears to be cheap flea collars. I have called three area animal shelters but no one is answering the phone at any of them...just saying "leave a message." I have given the pups water but all we have is big dog food, so I haven't given them any food.


I just don't want my dog (or myself) catching anything from the little guys. I'm keeping her inside for now.

I would appreciate any advice while I wait to hear from the shelters.

Thanks in advance!

[Wcross]

1. The patches of baldness could very well be hotspots.

You should find info on this site.
http://www.animalhospitals-usa.com/dogs/dog_health_.html

They are dogs, they will eat just about anything. Have you got a can of tuna laying around? Hamburger? The only thing my guys won't eat is veggies.

Good luck to ya.

[China_cat]

2. Call your local police and ask if there's an animal control officer

Shelters often don't do the job of picking up strays.

Now, the patchy fur could be a result of the flea collars but you need to be careful. Wash your hands thoroughly after touching them or anything they've touched before you touch your own dog. Change your clothes if they've rubbed up against you. Once they are gone, disinfect everywhere they've been with bleach. This will be hard for the yard, but some strains of mange are killers.

[RebelOne]

4. If they are picked up by an animal control officer,

they will be taken to the pound and euthanized.

[China_cat]

6. Not necessarily

Most shelters do not have facilities to pick up strays. They rely on the AC officer/s to do it.

The fact is that there are 2 stray dogs there that POSSIBLY have a contagious condition that could affect many that are taken care of well. I've worked with animal control here and the animals they pick up are taken to the shelter, evaluated medically and temperamentally and, if suitable, put up for adoption.

[Wcross]

5. Mange is not contagious.

Mange is passed on to the pups by a nursing mother.

From the dog health site;;

"Demodectic Parasites (Mange)
It is common for dogs to have the Demodex canis mite living on their skin. The tiny cigar-shaped parasite burrows into the skin yet most healthy dogs show no signs of infection. However, in dogs with defective immune systems, the mites can multiply and cause a disease called demodectic mange or demodicosis. Research suggests that certain breeds of dogs have a genetic predisposition to demodicosis. Transmission of the mite is from the mother to her puppies during nursing in the first 72 hours after birth. Demodicosis is not contagious to other dogs or to people."

[China_cat]

7. Sarcoptic mange most certainly IS contagious.

http://www.pethealthcare.net/html/body_canine_sarcoptic_mange.html


Sarcoptic mange is highly contagious to other dogs; it is also contagious to humans. The dog's bedding should be washed in hot water with bleach or, preferably, discarded. Although the mites are not able to complete their life cycle on humans, they will cause quite a bit of itching before they finally die.

[Wcross]

9. I stand corrected. n/t

[China_cat]

11. The biggest problem with the 2

is that they look alike in the early stages and the only way to tell which is which is through skin scrapings. Later stages of untreated sarcoptic are very evident with total hair loss and skin infections that migrate to the lungs and brain. Until you know what you're dealing with, it is much better to take precautions.

[Wcross]

12. You are right-best to play it safe.

I still think it may be just plain "hot-spots" but its best to be safe.

[flvegan]

17. Realistically, though, it's likely demodectic

and not sarcoptic.

Demodectic isn't contagious, and common with puppies and certain breeds.

[China_cat]

21. Even so

would YOU want to take the chance? I know I have enough vet bills as it is. I don't need to risk another. Plus, if these are pups, you don't know that they've had their shots and what they could be carrying.

I know that sounds alarmist, but with the threat of the new dog flu and animals coming out of the hurricane areas with leptospirosis (which is contagious through contact to both other animals and humans) you just need to be more careful than you might otherwise be.

[RebelOne]

3. Have you posted signs in your neighborhood?

[CottonBear]

8. Try posting your questions in the Pets Forum.

There are many people with dog and puppy knowledge there.
Good luck!

DU Pets Forum link:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=243

[cedahlia]

10. thanks and update

I finally got ahold of one semi-local shelter...but the woman told me to call her back in an hour and she'd see what she could do.

I'm relatively new to this area, and I made a call to our township office, and all they did was give me the number to the local SPCA (which I already had.) So there really isn't an animal control officer I can call for this area apparently (and I'd also worry about them being picked up and immediately euthanized too.) Things wouldn't be so difficult if you could actually get a live person on the phone at the area shelters (but I know they do get very busy, so I am being patient.)

I did give the pups some of my dog's small milkbones. Today is supposed to be grocery shopping day so we really don't have anything in the house to give them (we've vegetarians so no meat or tuna.) They did seem to be able to eat the treats without a problem though.

I wouldn't be so worried about quickly getting these guys to a shelter if it wasn't for my dog. She's going nuts about them being outside...barking and pacing. I think she's mostly just curious but I am not letting her have contact with them. I called my vet and he said she and I could get mange or worms from them, so I have to be very careful.

Thanks again, and I'll report back later...

[radwriter0555]

13. The shelter will deal with them just fine; the people who run shelters are

not evil and don't destroy cute puppies on a whim.

First they'll wait several days to see if anyone claims them, and while they have them, they'll treat them, feed them, keep them safe and warm.

If no one claims them, they'll be treated further and placed up for adoption; puppies and kittens are the shelter's stock in trade.

The shelter is really the best option, especially with a dog of your own to protect. Let the kind, compassionate professionals who do this for a living take care of these little guys. It will turn out just fine.

[cedahlia]

14. Yes, please don't misunderstand...

Animal shelters and their workers are wonderful. I was referring to Animal Control as the ones I was worried about. I've heard of them just euthanizing stray animals without them even getting a chance to be adopted. But the actual shelters are wonderful!!

I was actually called back by the local SPCA (which really isn't so local...it's almost an hour drive away) and they are going to take the pups and hopefully get them well and eventually adopted! :-) I'm borrowing a small crate from a friend tomorrow and will be transporting them over to the SPCA.

For tonight...the pups are warm in a box lined with blankets on the front porch, and their bellies are full. We went to the store to get some puppy food that they could easily chew. So they are all snuggled up with a couple stuffed doggie toys for the night.

Thanks again to everyone for all the input! I'm just relieved this is going to have a happy ending.

[driver8]

15. We got our dog from a shelter and the people there are absolutely

amazing!!

They do so much for the homeless dogs and cats...I am seriously thinking of becoming a volunteer. I love animals and could at least offer a little help.

[cedahlia]

19. I'm a big time animal lover too

Really, if it wasn't for such tight finances right now...I don't know, we might have wound up with two new additions to our family today! But we just can't raise two puppies right now. We are having trouble making ends meet as it is, and those vet bills...ugh. The pups are so adorable, though, I bet they will get adopted quick once they get the hair and skin problem cleared up.

About voluteering...I definitely plan on doing so once I graduate from college in the spring and have some free time to devote. Shelter workers truly are angels! O8)

[flvegan]

16. First of all

*bows*
Thank you for taking them in.

The balding is likely demodex (demodectic mange). Not contagious at all. Good idea to keep them away from your dog, just in case.

Now, take those flea collars and throw them away. Puppies shouldn't be wearing poison.

Big dog food is fine for puppies for a short period of time. Depending on the breed, the protein may not be the best for them, but for a few days, it won't hurt.

When they go out, or otherwise relieve themselves, you might consider keeping their, um, poop away from your other dog as well. Oftentimes, puppies will have worms (common).

[cedahlia]

20. thanks flvegan

Our dog actually had demodex as a pup, and it cleared up after one treatment (she did only had one tiny patch on her head, though.) I really do hope the pups only have demodex and not sarctopic. I'm not taking chances though...we've kept our dog separated from the pups and have been doing a lot of hand scrubbing, so hopefully we won't catch anything!

We got them some puppy food at the grocery store and their tummies are full now, so hopefully they will sleep through the night okay.

Thanks for all the good advice! :-)

[Maddy McCall]

23. About those flea collars...

Wonder if the bald spots could be because the little guys have flea allergies.

[Wcross]

18. Do you have some pictures of these little guys?

You never know, they may steal the heart of some lucky du'er?

[Maddy McCall]

22. Sounds like mange

Don't let those pups near your dog.

And you can feed the pups whatever you have at hand. A meal of any kind is better than no meal at all.