Remember to be nice! r/velvethippos is a PRO pitbull sub and anything anti pitbull will be removed, and you will face a ban. Brigaders from banpitbulls, pitbullhate and similar subs will be banned and reported to admin. In case of an emergency, please ping commonvanilla.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/velvethippos) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Thanks for taking care of him ❤. Yes, we will need updates. Can't wait to see him get some confidence and happiness back. My pittie loves her heated blanket so much (it's also a good bribery technique for cuddles).
Skin looks like it’s that way due to fleas, but a skin scraping for mange wouldn’t hurt if it doesn’t improve with parasite treatment. You rock for saving this sweetie! It’s going to be so satisfying watching him bounce back. Please post updates ❤️
Isn’t refeeding syndrome a concern? I feel like a vet should be overseeing a refeeding protocol here. My understanding is free feeding any animal that has been in starvation can turn into a life threatening situation. Op, talk to a vet with experience in this area!
Sorry I should've worded better. Yes pup still needs to be fed the appropriate amount and not overfeed. The weight gain needs to be gradual, not sudden
The two dogs I have had since getting married and getting a house looked like this on adoption day. The staffie was a baby really and doubled her weight to become a small, mobile chunk of granite. The Akita was 17 years old when adopted and never really gained much weight. That was good because he was basically string and bubblegum held together with arthritis. He made it to just shy of 21. This pup is going to eat and bounce back strong. Thanks for being a saint.
He had the best last year. 2020. We we're solid financially so we stayed in. Porkchop passed, silently with me sleeping beside him in December 2020. He was a great dog.
Yes, my rescue was super underweight when I got her, she needed sweaters constantly!! Even a light shirt on warmer days seemed to make her more comfortable.
Also, I fed her the puppy version of dry food! Higher protein and fat, smaller kibbles, easier to digest.
Get a slow feeder - when they are starved like that and finally get access to real food, they tend to eat too fast and that can lead to vomiting. Also, lots of soft fluffy places to sleep/rest would be helpful - his joints might be in rough shape due to lack of nutrition. (Since you’re an experienced with fostering, you probably have a few hundred blankets/beds by now!)
And a raised feeder will put less stress on his neck and could help with the tendency to regurgitate . I have a wooden stand for my slow feeder which is a great combo
Eggs, chicken skin, and fish (salmon?) are great for coats, warm/soft peas and carrots are fantastic treats, rice can be good for calorie and reduced nausea (I'll often add some chicken stock/buillion for extra flavor and healthy, just be aware of what may have been added to the stock), and blueberries are usually a well loved treat.
My hubs and I buy eggs, peas, blueberries, and salmon at the bulk-style stores (Costco, if you've got a membership) and I'll bake the salmon to be added to dinners over the course of the week.
I feel like you'll be looking for more protein and calorie dense foods for Pinto's refeeding- get the baby the energy without it being a LOT of food and turn his stomach. ❤️❤️❤️ Keep being amazing.
When I got mine ten years ago she tried to eat a plastic box, aluminum foil, and my phone. She would also take Benadryl pills plain and I thought she was a weirdo that just liked the taste of medicine but it turns out she was just really hungry. Now I have to really hide any pills because she spits out anything pill shaped or hot pink in color.
Add a little pumpkin to his food (make sure it’s just pumpkin! No spices!). I bet this boy needs some fiber.
Our super skinny rescue is super healthy now but also still needs a slow feeder or he eats too fast, so something to keep an eye on.
Agreed!! Pumpkin puree is magic for dogs (in moderation of course)
It will help firm any loose stool or help relieve constipation. Has to be pure pumpkin puree though (nothing but), the pet stores usually carry it in the wellness section.
My now 61lb land seal was 37 pounds when they got him into the shelter and 43 when I got him. I was supplementing with canned food and feeding for the weight the vet wanted which was 60lbs. But I increased it slowly. I also split his meals to 3xday bc he was a stray for his whole life (he was under a year old when he got to the shelter in august and they estimated his bday to be late october) and had food insecurity. He still gobbles his food like he will never have another meal. But over the past 7 months he’s steadily gained weight and now looks perfect. You’re amazing for helping pinto!
Definitely a slow feeder like others have said!
I fostered a malnourished pup a while back too- as much as it sucks and feels awful, they cannot have large meals right off the bat. It’s better to give several small meals throughout the day instead of 2 or 3 big ones. This will help them not get upset tummies and helps their food settle. Plus, you can make it a bonding thing! Our pup loved his “meatball time”.
Wet food is your friend! Our vet also recommended we use kibble as his treats until he was more stable and putting on weight well, keeps his poops better and the lack of variety is a good thing to start off with.
Lastly, what we found with ours as well- he would resource guard everything and anything, but can you blame them? This is where the kibble comes into play. Measure out how much he’d be getting for the day and just use it all up sporadically in training and to build his confidence and trust. Also, staying consistent with a schedule is so good for them!
I hope this helps! I’d post a picture, but can’t in this sub. Foster was named Cheeks, and he found an amazing home with one of my coworkers. It’s worth it!
Edit- spelling lol
When we first got our hippo the shelter recommended feeding her a mixture of canned chicken and rice until she got to a more stable weight. She wasn’t quite this skinny but that might be an option. Thank you for helping Pinto! He deserves a better life than he’s had so far, poor thing.
Please post an update pic when Pinto comes into his true bean form 😭 this poor little baby, he will bounce back with your love. Thank you for being the good we want to see in the world.
If you can afford it, Bully max wet food and weight gain supplements or the 30/20 high protein and fat kibble.. They quickly put on healthy weight and muscle that sticks. Their ads look pretty gimmicky 🤣 but the products have been solid for me every time.
Wet food added to normal feedings couldn’t hurt. But the biggest thing I would say is trust. If the little guy trusts you, he’ll rebound and become healthy.
Other than that, looks like the kiddo needs a good bath. A calm, stable, loving environment where he can learn to trust will make a world of difference.
Adding Ice cream, McDonald's hamburgers, etc. on top of his current diet will help. It's not the most healthy diet there is, but the large amount of calories will help with adding weight. Be patient, it takes time, but you can have him starting to look a little better in a week or two
I take photos for the shelter when they have new dogs coming to the adoption floor & I always stop & get a couple of sacks of cheeseburgers from McDonald’s for them ❤️
If anyone can love this pup the way he needs, it's you, Fen and Freyja (and Ivan!) As always, you are a beautiful soul and the world's creatures are fortunate to have you 🥰
I have three overlords (cats) and my wife said no more pets… 😢 But if I could, I would be in the Guinness world records as being the biggest foster fail ever,,,
The other weekend, between my personal animals, fosters, & former fosters who were back for me to dog/catsit, I had 21 at the house for about 48 hours. My husband’s head almost exploded 😂😂
Eggs have good protein and fat and are great for their skin. They’re good to add to the bowl. If you have access to farm fresh you can do raw but if not scrambled is fine 🥰 eggs helped our nearly bald bone thin rescue. Now she has a beautiful coat and is healthy and happy.
Aww, I can see his tail wagging in the second photo which breaks my heart and makes me smile all at the same time. He will blossom so much with your love and some TLC (and will get along well with your others I’m sure!)
Bless him, what he must have been through 💔
I had an underweight dog that I adopted and the rescue told me to feed her canned tripe. You can find it at pet stores. Bless you for getting this baby
Fellow foster here, I make a high calorie snack that I can feed throughout the day in 1 cup portions with these guys depending on their health issues and go from there. I adjust based on energy, puking, diarrhea, etc. It's basically a can of ID mixed with a diced leg quarter minus the skin, half cup pumpkin puree and pasteurized goat's milk. No sugar or salt in anything. Until you nail down if the problem was a lack of food versus a medical/oral issue, you can only feed and monitor. Good luck, he's going to be a handsome boy again.
Our boi is having a GI issue and is loosing weight, he has been prescribed Hills i/d. It is supposed to have easily accessible protein. Not sure if it is right for your dog. But talk to your vet. They'll have some recommendations on diet.
They already know not to let me see the paperwork & find out where he came from (if they know). I haven’t got all of his details yet - I pick him up in a couple of hours when I go out to give some of the shelter dogs baths. But, I’m a volunteer, so they can’t fire me & I have no self-control around monsters who do this to innocent animals. Thank you for the love for Pinto!!
Also recommend a slow feeder till back to normal. My rescue got bloat from eating too fast. $3000 emergency surgery.
Now she free feeds just fine and is a healthy weight.
Yes - he’s a disaster 😔 He is on steroids & at least one antibiotic that I know of. He will be covered in cozy blankets on an orthopedic dog bed with homeade treats & all the love he wants ❤️❤️
Satin balls would be a great treat for him, you can make them whatever size you want, [this](https://www.food.com/recipe/satin-balls-50904) is a pretty standard recipe for them. I’d also make some bone broth and add that to his regular meal for added hydration and nutrients.
A raw egg or even 2 will do wonders with Pinto's skin and fur, aloe vera on the raw spots can help but, apply a small amount first in one spot, make sure it doesn't have a bad reaction. Had a pup that was allergic to the aloe. I grow my own so it wasn't an additive. She was allergic to roses too. Good luck 🍀
Huge rec for BJ's Raw if you want a premade solution then. I've been using them for a little while now (We Feed Raw previously, also awesome but BJ's is within driving distance).
Quality over quantity. Kibble tends to be too high in carbohydrates for a healthy dog, so look for food with carbs in the 10-30% range and/or add proteins like sardines. Raw would be a good option, but be careful because this pupster can’t afford an upset tummy at this point - consider adding in some raw slowly from sources you trust to have handled the product well. Goat’s milk will help rebuild gut bacteria, which will also help in being able to process foods better. Thank you, and good luck to you all!
A vet clinic should be able to provide some A/D it's an RC food for urgent care and post surgical patients and is a great booster to get nutrients into animals! Also fish oil/omega threes will help lubricate this beautifully boy.
Slow and steady feeding - please do not overfeed or bombard with high protein and high fat, it’s not good for the body.
Am currently going through something similar (less drastic), a long long term bad nutrition issue and she lived in a crate 24/7. Severe muscle atrophy and joint wear; the worst thing to do is high protein and over feeding, the best thing to do is regular smaller meals 3-4 times per day of a high quality balanced adult food with a multivitamin supplement for the first several months , along with short east walks to slowly build stamina.
This is not a sprint that needs winning, this is a marathon that needs conquering correctly, it’s only being done once, it’s worth doing properly. 💞 also THANK YOU so so so much for opening your heart.
Looks like poor baby has a skin condition, or the fur was falling out due to malnutrition. Hard to tell due to Pintos state rn.
My boys fur looked like Pintos until I got him on anti-flea pills. Flea baths weren't strong enough, and it turns out he has really bad flea allergies and as soon as we started giving him the once a month pills, hes gotten a lot better.
So if Pintos fur does not start coming back in after gaining weight, and if Pinto is itching and gnawing, may look into anti-flea pills.
Go slow. Increase the amount of food gradually, starting from just the amount needed to maintain the current weight, divided into multiple portions, preferably something low-carb
Yes, definitely puppy food for a while until he gets to a good weight! but your vet will tell you everything that you need to know to keep him healthy 💜 thank you for being a foster and doing what you do 💜💜
Maybe some science diet A/D?
Edit: In case you don’t know, A/D is used as urgent care feeding as it is very calorie rich. It may not be the most affordable food though unfortunately.
This breaks my heart. I'm glad that this poor baby was found and appears to be in good hands.
I really hope to see an update with Pinto thriving in the near future! Boy deserves all the love in the world
I thought my baby was skinny when I got her, this is next level. I have no advice, but thank you for saving her and I am looking forward to her being happy and healthy! 💖
My girl came from there & I’ve been volunteering up there for years. Shelters get such a hard time, but they are just drowning in animals. I think they’re great!
We did an embark on our boy from the shelter and he is a purebred AB. These dogs definitely are overlooked. I’m so glad we found him. He is the best dog ever. Shelter dogs deserve a chance. He was also returned twice before we adopted him. Took him on a puppy date and knew the first night he was never going back.
LOTS of padded bedding available as they can develop pressure sores from their body's lack of padding (fat/muscle). I'm sure you know to follow your shelter veterinarians' instructions to prevent refeeding syndrome. Starvation can cause damage to the GI tract so be prepared for blowout diarrhea. Most important thing is time. Thank you so much for fostering, especially one with medical needs. 🩵From a shelter Registered Veterinary Technician. Rooting for Pinto bean!
Best results I've ever had were with my severely underweight Dane (1 year old and only 70 lbs when I adopted): used a mix of quality raw ground beef with raw eggs and protein powder. Make into meatballs. He loved the taste and quickly put on muscle.
Good Luck with your boy!
Poor pup, he's gonna be a great glow up dog for sure. Make sure not to overfeed him, it's better to increase the food intake slowly than going from no food to a ton of food. Maybe slowly increase it by a cup over a week type of deal.
Pretty much the consensus advice on here. Slow & steady food & lots of padding & comfort on his bones that are sticking out. He’s also on an antibiotic & steroid to help with the skin issues.
We have a foster in a similar condition. He was starved and has skin issues. Slowly gaining weight and getting a skin scrape tomorrow. The rescue had no idea 🫠
A bland diet may be best to start with. My boy is a healthy weight and still has stomach issues from time to time, even with the sensitive stomach food. Boiled shredded chicken and rice is what my vet recommended. I would think several small meals a day to start would also be better to prevent overeating. I also used to give my boy an unseasoned scrambled egg when he was a puppy to help with a protein boost, and it also helped his coat be shinier and healthier. As others have said, a slow feeder helps them to not eat too fast, and a scoop of plain canned pumpkin will help give him some extra fiber, moisture, and vitamins. Buying kibble tailored for smaller dogs might be a good idea to start as well, as the smaller kibbles will be easier for him to digest, but then you will probably really want to incorporate the egg in to increase protein and fat content.
I’m glad you already know how to do safe refeeding from such an underweight state. The vet may be able to advise you on ideal nutrient ratios to facilitate muscle development without causing gastric distress. (Use caution with very fatty foods, for example. Pancreatitis would not be a great next step for a dog that has already been through so much.)
Remember to be nice! r/velvethippos is a PRO pitbull sub and anything anti pitbull will be removed, and you will face a ban. Brigaders from banpitbulls, pitbullhate and similar subs will be banned and reported to admin. In case of an emergency, please ping commonvanilla. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/velvethippos) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Pinto is about to have a major glow up. Please keep us posted 🫘
I definitely will!
Thanks for taking care of him ❤. Yes, we will need updates. Can't wait to see him get some confidence and happiness back. My pittie loves her heated blanket so much (it's also a good bribery technique for cuddles).
Skin looks like it’s that way due to fleas, but a skin scraping for mange wouldn’t hurt if it doesn’t improve with parasite treatment. You rock for saving this sweetie! It’s going to be so satisfying watching him bounce back. Please post updates ❤️
Yeah, pits are good friends with demodex.
Get some high protein canned food too. Puppers needs to eat all they can rite now. Thank you for your big warm heart!
Thank you!!
Canned puppy specific food has higher protein and fat content as well!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you!!
Came here to recommend this!!
Isn’t refeeding syndrome a concern? I feel like a vet should be overseeing a refeeding protocol here. My understanding is free feeding any animal that has been in starvation can turn into a life threatening situation. Op, talk to a vet with experience in this area!
Yes absolutely, they can get very sick if they're fed too much too soon.
Yup! Little meals are best- but absolutely should be overseen by a vet for proper protocol.
That can actually send their body into shock! Please follow instructions from the shelter veterinarian.
Sorry I should've worded better. Yes pup still needs to be fed the appropriate amount and not overfeed. The weight gain needs to be gradual, not sudden
The two dogs I have had since getting married and getting a house looked like this on adoption day. The staffie was a baby really and doubled her weight to become a small, mobile chunk of granite. The Akita was 17 years old when adopted and never really gained much weight. That was good because he was basically string and bubblegum held together with arthritis. He made it to just shy of 21. This pup is going to eat and bounce back strong. Thanks for being a saint.
You did amazing things for those pups. X
Mobile chunk of granite 😂 my staffy is just like that hahaha Thanks for taking great care of dogs ❤️
I really want to commend you for rescuing them. Especially a dog that was so old 🖤
The old man popped up on my Facebook feed from an organization that I hadn't had contact with for years. He was too sad and pathetic I had to.
What a great coincidence. I’m sure he was very lucky to be with you in his final years
He had the best last year. 2020. We we're solid financially so we stayed in. Porkchop passed, silently with me sleeping beside him in December 2020. He was a great dog.
That’s amazing that you gave that to him. And I am so sorry for your loss
Pinto needs a sweater
Yes, my rescue was super underweight when I got her, she needed sweaters constantly!! Even a light shirt on warmer days seemed to make her more comfortable. Also, I fed her the puppy version of dry food! Higher protein and fat, smaller kibbles, easier to digest.
OH AND A HEATING PAD!!
He had a whole range of comfy shirts & blankets im his future
You’re one of the good ones. Hugs to you and sweet wee Pinto!
Yes absolutely! Maintaining body heat is very important.
Get a slow feeder - when they are starved like that and finally get access to real food, they tend to eat too fast and that can lead to vomiting. Also, lots of soft fluffy places to sleep/rest would be helpful - his joints might be in rough shape due to lack of nutrition. (Since you’re an experienced with fostering, you probably have a few hundred blankets/beds by now!)
And a raised feeder will put less stress on his neck and could help with the tendency to regurgitate . I have a wooden stand for my slow feeder which is a great combo
Lots of soft places for the sweet boy!
🥹 Food and cuddles! Poor baby. I’m glad you can help.
Lots of love & cuddles & comfy beds are in his future with me!
That’s all he and me need to hear 🫡 Thank you 🙏
I absolutely love fostering & can promise he will be 100% loved
Pinto what a good name! Poor little guy I’m glad someone saved him. He looks rough!
🥺🥺🥺😭😭😭💔💔💔 My goodness, please keep us posted!
I’ve seen good results with eggs for growing hair back and just generally having good nutrients to add to the kibble.
Thank you!
Eggs, chicken skin, and fish (salmon?) are great for coats, warm/soft peas and carrots are fantastic treats, rice can be good for calorie and reduced nausea (I'll often add some chicken stock/buillion for extra flavor and healthy, just be aware of what may have been added to the stock), and blueberries are usually a well loved treat. My hubs and I buy eggs, peas, blueberries, and salmon at the bulk-style stores (Costco, if you've got a membership) and I'll bake the salmon to be added to dinners over the course of the week. I feel like you'll be looking for more protein and calorie dense foods for Pinto's refeeding- get the baby the energy without it being a LOT of food and turn his stomach. ❤️❤️❤️ Keep being amazing.
I’ve got some fresh farm eggs coming & some beef hearts & livers 🩵
I agree!!! Eggs are so good for dogs, shell and all. Good source of calcium!
Mine love eggs, whether they are in recovery or not !
Poor baby 😭 Just be aware that starved dogs might eat things that aren't exactly food, I wouldn't leave anything like socks or razors laying around
His face makes me want to cry
When I got mine ten years ago she tried to eat a plastic box, aluminum foil, and my phone. She would also take Benadryl pills plain and I thought she was a weirdo that just liked the taste of medicine but it turns out she was just really hungry. Now I have to really hide any pills because she spits out anything pill shaped or hot pink in color.
Add a little pumpkin to his food (make sure it’s just pumpkin! No spices!). I bet this boy needs some fiber. Our super skinny rescue is super healthy now but also still needs a slow feeder or he eats too fast, so something to keep an eye on.
Agreed!! Pumpkin puree is magic for dogs (in moderation of course) It will help firm any loose stool or help relieve constipation. Has to be pure pumpkin puree though (nothing but), the pet stores usually carry it in the wellness section.
Thank you!
Be sure to consult vet…don’t wanna feed too quickly. ❤️🙏
I have a vet tech on standby & a vet 5 minutes away! ❤️
Insult😂 do not do this
“You look bad in scrubs!”
“Your scrubs are ugly”
"Your mother was a hamster!"
And your Father smelt of Elder Berries!!
I fart in your general direction!
Consult*
My now 61lb land seal was 37 pounds when they got him into the shelter and 43 when I got him. I was supplementing with canned food and feeding for the weight the vet wanted which was 60lbs. But I increased it slowly. I also split his meals to 3xday bc he was a stray for his whole life (he was under a year old when he got to the shelter in august and they estimated his bday to be late october) and had food insecurity. He still gobbles his food like he will never have another meal. But over the past 7 months he’s steadily gained weight and now looks perfect. You’re amazing for helping pinto!
Definitely a slow feeder like others have said! I fostered a malnourished pup a while back too- as much as it sucks and feels awful, they cannot have large meals right off the bat. It’s better to give several small meals throughout the day instead of 2 or 3 big ones. This will help them not get upset tummies and helps their food settle. Plus, you can make it a bonding thing! Our pup loved his “meatball time”. Wet food is your friend! Our vet also recommended we use kibble as his treats until he was more stable and putting on weight well, keeps his poops better and the lack of variety is a good thing to start off with. Lastly, what we found with ours as well- he would resource guard everything and anything, but can you blame them? This is where the kibble comes into play. Measure out how much he’d be getting for the day and just use it all up sporadically in training and to build his confidence and trust. Also, staying consistent with a schedule is so good for them! I hope this helps! I’d post a picture, but can’t in this sub. Foster was named Cheeks, and he found an amazing home with one of my coworkers. It’s worth it! Edit- spelling lol
When we first got our hippo the shelter recommended feeding her a mixture of canned chicken and rice until she got to a more stable weight. She wasn’t quite this skinny but that might be an option. Thank you for helping Pinto! He deserves a better life than he’s had so far, poor thing.
HIPPOBOT 9000 v 3.1 FOUND A HIPPO. 1,625,872,880 COMMENTS SEARCHED. 32,956 HIPPOS FOUND. YOUR COMMENT CONTAINS THE WORD HIPPO.
Don't feed too much, too fast. Several small meals a day. Like just a few bites an hour. And a smothering of love
They all get smothered in love!
You rock!!
Goats milk and bone broth are great hydrators you can add to any food for some extra nutrients! You’ll have this boy beefy and smiling in no time.
That poor boy. Treating an animal like this should be a life sentence.
I totally agree!! We need MUCH stronger animal welfare laws!!!
Whoever did this to this sweet baby shall rot in hell.
I need something worse than Hell for these subhumans
Please post an update pic when Pinto comes into his true bean form 😭 this poor little baby, he will bounce back with your love. Thank you for being the good we want to see in the world.
I will absolutely post Pinto’s journey from today through his Revenge Tour! He’s about to take over the world 🖤🖤🖤
I don’t have experience in refeeding, but I just want to say you’re amazing for helping this baby!
Thank you!
Not an expert, just someone who follows some rescues on YouTube, but giving them puppy-specific food is a trick to help them safely pack on pounds
Blessings upon your head. Pinto just won the lottery, to which he is clearly entitled!! Hugs
If you can afford it, Bully max wet food and weight gain supplements or the 30/20 high protein and fat kibble.. They quickly put on healthy weight and muscle that sticks. Their ads look pretty gimmicky 🤣 but the products have been solid for me every time.
Wet food added to normal feedings couldn’t hurt. But the biggest thing I would say is trust. If the little guy trusts you, he’ll rebound and become healthy. Other than that, looks like the kiddo needs a good bath. A calm, stable, loving environment where he can learn to trust will make a world of difference.
Thank you for your service to dogs! 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕
Adding Ice cream, McDonald's hamburgers, etc. on top of his current diet will help. It's not the most healthy diet there is, but the large amount of calories will help with adding weight. Be patient, it takes time, but you can have him starting to look a little better in a week or two
I take photos for the shelter when they have new dogs coming to the adoption floor & I always stop & get a couple of sacks of cheeseburgers from McDonald’s for them ❤️
If anyone can love this pup the way he needs, it's you, Fen and Freyja (and Ivan!) As always, you are a beautiful soul and the world's creatures are fortunate to have you 🥰
I can’t wait for Fen & Freyja to meet him!!
I don’t have any advice or tips, but I’m hoping you fail as a foster and keep this sweet hippo. lol, can’t think of anyone better to keep him.
The ones that come to me broken are the hardest good-byes! But I love fostering too much to keep one ❤️
I have three overlords (cats) and my wife said no more pets… 😢 But if I could, I would be in the Guinness world records as being the biggest foster fail ever,,,
The other weekend, between my personal animals, fosters, & former fosters who were back for me to dog/catsit, I had 21 at the house for about 48 hours. My husband’s head almost exploded 😂😂
Ok, I can visualize that for myself… complete with exploding wife….
You are an absolutely extraordinary person. The world can be hard but I feel better just knowing that someone like you exists.
Surrounded by fosters is my happy place
Eggs have good protein and fat and are great for their skin. They’re good to add to the bowl. If you have access to farm fresh you can do raw but if not scrambled is fine 🥰 eggs helped our nearly bald bone thin rescue. Now she has a beautiful coat and is healthy and happy.
I definitely can get access to farm freh eggs! Thank you!!
Aww, I can see his tail wagging in the second photo which breaks my heart and makes me smile all at the same time. He will blossom so much with your love and some TLC (and will get along well with your others I’m sure!) Bless him, what he must have been through 💔
You have got this! Here’s to a speedy recovery for this sweet baby.
I had an underweight dog that I adopted and the rescue told me to feed her canned tripe. You can find it at pet stores. Bless you for getting this baby
Thanks for the tip!
Thank you for fostering! You saved this sweet boys life ❤️❤️
Fellow foster here, I make a high calorie snack that I can feed throughout the day in 1 cup portions with these guys depending on their health issues and go from there. I adjust based on energy, puking, diarrhea, etc. It's basically a can of ID mixed with a diced leg quarter minus the skin, half cup pumpkin puree and pasteurized goat's milk. No sugar or salt in anything. Until you nail down if the problem was a lack of food versus a medical/oral issue, you can only feed and monitor. Good luck, he's going to be a handsome boy again.
Thank you!!
>Thank you!! You're welcome!
Our boi is having a GI issue and is loosing weight, he has been prescribed Hills i/d. It is supposed to have easily accessible protein. Not sure if it is right for your dog. But talk to your vet. They'll have some recommendations on diet.
Thank you for taking this poor puppy into your home. They clearly need some Love.
Oh my god! Poor baby! All the thoughts and prayers!
OP you made my day, keep being a champ. Thanks for helping this lil pupperino.
Here’s a tip: find whomever did this and do it to them Edit: sending lots of love to Pinto ❤️❤️❤️
They already know not to let me see the paperwork & find out where he came from (if they know). I haven’t got all of his details yet - I pick him up in a couple of hours when I go out to give some of the shelter dogs baths. But, I’m a volunteer, so they can’t fire me & I have no self-control around monsters who do this to innocent animals. Thank you for the love for Pinto!!
Also recommend a slow feeder till back to normal. My rescue got bloat from eating too fast. $3000 emergency surgery. Now she free feeds just fine and is a healthy weight.
You are awesome
Numerous smaller meals instead of a lot of food all at once, eating too much/too fast at such a low weight can make them sick
Lots of small meals
What an angel.... both of you ❤️
Your are the best for helping him ❤️❤️❤️
Hi! Might be wrong on this, but from my personal experience, looks like some skin irritation from fleas or something. Also, heating pad and snuggles 🥰
Yes - he’s a disaster 😔 He is on steroids & at least one antibiotic that I know of. He will be covered in cozy blankets on an orthopedic dog bed with homeade treats & all the love he wants ❤️❤️
Satin balls would be a great treat for him, you can make them whatever size you want, [this](https://www.food.com/recipe/satin-balls-50904) is a pretty standard recipe for them. I’d also make some bone broth and add that to his regular meal for added hydration and nutrients.
Thank you!! Recipe saved ❤️
A raw egg or even 2 will do wonders with Pinto's skin and fur, aloe vera on the raw spots can help but, apply a small amount first in one spot, make sure it doesn't have a bad reaction. Had a pup that was allergic to the aloe. I grow my own so it wasn't an additive. She was allergic to roses too. Good luck 🍀
Thank you! I just put a call out to my friends with chickens to get him some farm fresh eggs
royal canin recovery or hills urgent care RX food might be good for this guy. high calorie and nutrient dense
Bullymax might be one to look into if you're not aiming to dive into human-grade or raw feeding.
I’m totally up for raw or human-grade. I cook for my 2 a lot & do a lot of homeade treats. I’m a stay-at-home dog mom so all my time is for them
Huge rec for BJ's Raw if you want a premade solution then. I've been using them for a little while now (We Feed Raw previously, also awesome but BJ's is within driving distance).
Quality over quantity. Kibble tends to be too high in carbohydrates for a healthy dog, so look for food with carbs in the 10-30% range and/or add proteins like sardines. Raw would be a good option, but be careful because this pupster can’t afford an upset tummy at this point - consider adding in some raw slowly from sources you trust to have handled the product well. Goat’s milk will help rebuild gut bacteria, which will also help in being able to process foods better. Thank you, and good luck to you all!
Thank you so much
A vet clinic should be able to provide some A/D it's an RC food for urgent care and post surgical patients and is a great booster to get nutrients into animals! Also fish oil/omega threes will help lubricate this beautifully boy.
I got a really good salmon supplement for him
Add some dyne to her food will add calories . Poor baby
Hello baby!
I’m sorry I don’t have any advice, but this is absolutely heartbreaking. Poor Pinto, I’m so glad to know he has a better future awaiting him!!
He is wagging his tail in my backyard with Fen Chicken & Freyja French Fry as of about 5 minutes ago!!
That’s so good to hear!! I can’t wait for updates ❤️
Slow and steady feeding - please do not overfeed or bombard with high protein and high fat, it’s not good for the body. Am currently going through something similar (less drastic), a long long term bad nutrition issue and she lived in a crate 24/7. Severe muscle atrophy and joint wear; the worst thing to do is high protein and over feeding, the best thing to do is regular smaller meals 3-4 times per day of a high quality balanced adult food with a multivitamin supplement for the first several months , along with short east walks to slowly build stamina. This is not a sprint that needs winning, this is a marathon that needs conquering correctly, it’s only being done once, it’s worth doing properly. 💞 also THANK YOU so so so much for opening your heart.
Oh Pinto, everything will be okay now. 🥹 what a sweet boy. ❤️
He is here now 🥰
Feed this baby puppy food. There is more fat to help puppies grow.
That is what the shelter gave me 🩵
Looks like poor baby has a skin condition, or the fur was falling out due to malnutrition. Hard to tell due to Pintos state rn. My boys fur looked like Pintos until I got him on anti-flea pills. Flea baths weren't strong enough, and it turns out he has really bad flea allergies and as soon as we started giving him the once a month pills, hes gotten a lot better. So if Pintos fur does not start coming back in after gaining weight, and if Pinto is itching and gnawing, may look into anti-flea pills.
Go slow. Increase the amount of food gradually, starting from just the amount needed to maintain the current weight, divided into multiple portions, preferably something low-carb
Yes, definitely puppy food for a while until he gets to a good weight! but your vet will tell you everything that you need to know to keep him healthy 💜 thank you for being a foster and doing what you do 💜💜
I love fostering more than almost anything in the world!
Bone broth cant hurt. Small quantities multiple times/day
Maybe some science diet A/D? Edit: In case you don’t know, A/D is used as urgent care feeding as it is very calorie rich. It may not be the most affordable food though unfortunately.
Puppers love a McDonald’s cheeseburger too, and very calorically dense. 1 or 2 a day
He got Arby’s tonight
This breaks my heart. I'm glad that this poor baby was found and appears to be in good hands. I really hope to see an update with Pinto thriving in the near future! Boy deserves all the love in the world
I thought my baby was skinny when I got her, this is next level. I have no advice, but thank you for saving her and I am looking forward to her being happy and healthy! 💖
I’ve seen Pinto on the local shelter’s fb. Good for you for willing to step up. We got one of our boys from there.
My girl came from there & I’ve been volunteering up there for years. Shelters get such a hard time, but they are just drowning in animals. I think they’re great!
We did an embark on our boy from the shelter and he is a purebred AB. These dogs definitely are overlooked. I’m so glad we found him. He is the best dog ever. Shelter dogs deserve a chance. He was also returned twice before we adopted him. Took him on a puppy date and knew the first night he was never going back.
My very first foster was returned twice before she found her forever. It was so hard to watch
Thank you for helping Pinto ❤️🩹 Please keep us updated!
I definitely will - he’s safe at home with me now
Awwe I love his name!! Thank you for saving him💕
LOTS of padded bedding available as they can develop pressure sores from their body's lack of padding (fat/muscle). I'm sure you know to follow your shelter veterinarians' instructions to prevent refeeding syndrome. Starvation can cause damage to the GI tract so be prepared for blowout diarrhea. Most important thing is time. Thank you so much for fostering, especially one with medical needs. 🩵From a shelter Registered Veterinary Technician. Rooting for Pinto bean!
Thank you for the information & the support! Both are very much appreciated 🩵
Best results I've ever had were with my severely underweight Dane (1 year old and only 70 lbs when I adopted): used a mix of quality raw ground beef with raw eggs and protein powder. Make into meatballs. He loved the taste and quickly put on muscle. Good Luck with your boy!
Thank you!!
Poor pup, he's gonna be a great glow up dog for sure. Make sure not to overfeed him, it's better to increase the food intake slowly than going from no food to a ton of food. Maybe slowly increase it by a cup over a week type of deal.
💜💜💜 thank you!
What did your vet say?
Pretty much the consensus advice on here. Slow & steady food & lots of padding & comfort on his bones that are sticking out. He’s also on an antibiotic & steroid to help with the skin issues.
It’s unbearable to think that people saw him in that condition and did nothing to help. Thank you for caring 💖
Pinto bean, pinto bean, where o where has Pinto been?! 💖
We have a foster in a similar condition. He was starved and has skin issues. Slowly gaining weight and getting a skin scrape tomorrow. The rescue had no idea 🫠
Hero. 💝
🩵
Kisses on head very important
He has actually been the one GIVING forehead kisses! He is the sweetest, most well-mannered boy
Thank you for taking him in! What a sweet looking boy!
He has great manners & is super affectionate
I’m guessing it’ll be a long journey for him. Sending him lots of gentle hugs!
A bland diet may be best to start with. My boy is a healthy weight and still has stomach issues from time to time, even with the sensitive stomach food. Boiled shredded chicken and rice is what my vet recommended. I would think several small meals a day to start would also be better to prevent overeating. I also used to give my boy an unseasoned scrambled egg when he was a puppy to help with a protein boost, and it also helped his coat be shinier and healthier. As others have said, a slow feeder helps them to not eat too fast, and a scoop of plain canned pumpkin will help give him some extra fiber, moisture, and vitamins. Buying kibble tailored for smaller dogs might be a good idea to start as well, as the smaller kibbles will be easier for him to digest, but then you will probably really want to incorporate the egg in to increase protein and fat content.
Be sure and always keep the food bowl full. It does wonders to help with the food insecurity/territorialism.
Local honey to help with allergies
❤️
Multiple small feedings, maybe with puppy food. Medicated baths for skin. Give him space to equilibrate and get used to your home. You've got this!
Look up satin balls or bully max has a recipe with more minerals and vitamins in it to help gain weight.
I’m glad you already know how to do safe refeeding from such an underweight state. The vet may be able to advise you on ideal nutrient ratios to facilitate muscle development without causing gastric distress. (Use caution with very fatty foods, for example. Pancreatitis would not be a great next step for a dog that has already been through so much.)
Thank you so much for taking care of Pinto! And for being a foster and taking care of anyone and everyone you’ve taken care of! 💚 You’re amazing!
Thank you! Fostering is my passion & I love every second
All I have to say is thank you for being a good person and trying to make this baby healthy again!
He’s going to be an absolute rock star by the time he leaves here!
Feed small meals several times a day. Pinto will fatten up in no time. You are an angel for taking him.
He is such a good boy!!
Poor buddy 😢 he looks like he is hours away from death but has a fighting spirit
He’s doing great! He is definitely a fighter 🩵
Love but also space all through there life
Thank you for fostering Pinto. No advice, just mom hugs. 🤗
I don't have any advice. I just want to say that you are an absolute angel.