[erway]

Ok. I've stopped freaking out about this. While surfing the net online yesterday, I came across an ad from a local rescue group in desperate need of finding a foster home for a husky at a local kill shelter...her time is running out. I called the rescue group to inquire, but they didn't have any information on her. Am I the only one that finds that a little odd? They couldn't tell me a thing about her. So, I have to wait until the shelter opens in the morning to call about her. If she is dog/kid friendly (& depending on what kind of health issues), I am 99% sure that she will be coming home with us tomorrow. My question to everyone is...
what is the best way to introduce the new husky to my current husky?
and
Rascal prefers to sleep outside rather than sleep in his "house" inside - unless it is raining of course, then he sleeps inside because he refuses to go into either of the dog houses outside. Do you think they would both be ok sleeping outside or would it be better to have the new dog sleep in the "house" inside for a while?

 

[rosemaryninja]

1) http://www.dogforums.com/3-dog-training-forum/6755-meet-me-middle-best.html

2) Wherever you intend for the new dog to sleep in the long-term is where she should sleep when she comes home.

 

[erway]

1) http://www.dogforums.com/3-dog-training-forum/6755-meet-me-middle-best.html

2) Wherever you intend for the new dog to sleep in the long-term is where she should sleep when she comes home.

Thanks so much for the advice!

 

[sheltiemom]

Did you get her?

 

[erway]

I did get her. She is WAY more than I bargained for, but I couldn't leave her there. My husband has her at the vet right now.

 

[Donna5503]

You are a very good person for rescuing that Husky!

Congratulations!!

 

[HayleyMarie]

Congrats for rescuing her.
Tell us a little bit about her?
Oh and lots and lots and lots of pictures would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[erway]

Well, the vet estimates her age at 2, but I tend to think she is a bit younger. She is such a sweet girl. Vet said she was in good health, just about perfect weight, but did recommend separating the two dogs for at least 3-4 days after she was vaccinated (today.) She has no intestinal parasites (I was SHOCKED!) and the heartworm test comes back tomorrow, but I am hopeful. I have been continually brushing her so her matted hair looks quite a bit better. She has a grooming appointment Thursday and vet said to bring her back after her heat to be spayed. She isn't bleeding very much so I am praying that it means her heat is almost over and not just starting. Here are a couple of pictures I took of her tonight enjoyin a cow hoof.

 

[sheltiemom]

She's pretty...fingers crossed for no heartworms. What part of GA do you live in?

 

[erway]

I live near Augusta. I did search Craigs List and the local papers to make sure someone didn't lose her and was looking for her but couldn't find her. Someone obviously lost her because she is such a sweet dog, but they haven't looked for her as far as I can tell.

 

[SweetJeannie]

She is beautiful its awesome that you guys could rescue her. She's a lucky girl. ^_^

 

[baorb]

Great job on helping her.

I think huskies accept dogs better than some other breeds.
At least for me. I had 3 dogs, when I added a husky.

 

[erway]

I wanna cry...Rosie is heartworm positive. The doctor is concerned that she may have been exposed to a male dog while at animal control and be pregnant and that would complicate her heartworm treatment. I called them and they said that they didn't believe she was but were going to check their records and call me back.

 

[Thracian]

Oh, I'm so sorry! I hope the treatment goes quickly and smoothly.

When will the vet be able to tell if she is pregnant?

 

[erway]

Well, he just examined her yesterday and he said that if she were to be pregnant then it would have been just within the last few weeks since she had been in animal control. He told me to call them and ask if she was exposed to any male dogs while she was there, which she wasn't thank goodness. I am going today to pick up the antibiotics to get her started on. He said 2 weeks of those and 2 weeks of antibiotics and steriods and then she will go into the hospital for 2 days of treatment then 4 weeks of "strict confinement." How am I going to keep a husky in strict confinement for 4 weeks?? No running, jumping, etc. She can go on walks, but that is it. Anyone else out there been through this before?

 

[nekomi]

Oh man, I FEEL for you! Willow was HW+ when we adopted her. Yes, it means VERY STRICT confinement. Willow had to have the split-dose treatment (2 shots, spaced a month apart), so it meant 2 months of confinement either in a crate or in a small outside run.

Willow was terrified of crates when she arrived - so the crate was out, it just made her panic and her heart rate would SOAR. That's originally why we built her the outdoor kennel, so she'd have a small space to relax in where she couldn't get up a fast run or anything. And I will tell you, I let her "overdo" it about 2 weeks into the first treatment because she was feeling so good... big mistake. Just 15 minutes of running free in a big yard caused her to have 2 days of coughing fits, and a round of Prednisone to cut the inflammation. It was a huge risk and I didn't realize it at the time.

Basically, they have to be confined because as the worms die, they can clog up the arteries leading to the lungs - and if the dog starts pumping blood faster and breathing hard from playing, there's all the more chance that they will pump a big chunk of heartworm right into their lungs. It can kill them rapidly. Just make sure you keep the dog calm and confined at all costs, even if they need a tranquilizer to do it... I know how hard it is for a husky to sit still for a month.

Don't worry, though - if I can get through it with my nutcase Willow, you can get through it with your new girl!!! I will be praying for you both and pulling for ya. Just give your dog lots of mental stimulation, training, and chewtoys for her time in confinement, and she should pull through just fine.

Good luck... BTW, she is beautiful!

 

[erway]

Thanks for all of the advice. I am definitely going to need it. I think I am going to go ahead and try to get her crate trained so at least she will be used to it. She got in it yesterday and seemed content for the time she was in it, so maybe it won't be as bad as I fear. I do know it will not be fun though.

She is a cutie though, isn't she? and soooo very friendly.

 

[Donna5503]

I feel so bad for you & the Husky....She is really a beautiful looking dog - I've always loved the brown Huskies.

She is so lucky though to have found you...she would have been dead if not for you. I'm sending you a BIG THANK YOU for her

Please keep us updated on Rosie (I love that name - it was my Mom's)

 

[nico8]

Good luck with the newest addition to your family.Shes gorgeous I've never seen a brown Husk like that. I LOVE my Husky and can definitely see why you took her in.

 

[SweetJeannie]

I hope everything works out for you both!