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1671377 tn?1308434261

House broken problems

We adopted a 2 yr old dog we were told was great dane but seems to be more greyhound mix, now she howls and digs like a greyhound-houndmix. Her first few weeks she was house broken exactly as we  were told. However she has never touched her dog food. Only cat food and that didnt last long. Now she refuses anything but what she finds left around if anything is left. If not she will find any way possible to get to garbage. She refuses to go outrside now to do number 2. No matter how much we take her out. Often she potties inside too. Our carpet is ruined and if the land lord comes by we will get evicted. We are trying now rent a professional cleaner but it may not be enough. We have tried everything and are about to take her to the shelter. We have talked to the previous owners who deny she ever had problems or ever ate scraps. I find it hard to believe she suddenly turned this way.
She seems to love us all very very much. Otherwise she is an avsolute wonderful dog! I will be devastated to get rid of her.
But I have kids and can not get evicted.
Her bowel movements are so fowl I vomit cleaning them up. Is this from her eating wrongly?
If I tie her up outside til she has a bowel movement she digs up the yard, which the land lord did see and charged us $200. I cant keep this up. :(
Would putting her back in a crate at night help?
Or would she have bowel movements in her crate? I can not stomach that.
Please any advice ASAP!
2 Responses
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234713 tn?1283526659
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Shelters are full of dogs with problems.  It is really sad that prior owners are not honest about the reasons that have caused them to surrender pets to shelters.  

It sounds as if you have a double problem with your new pet.  A gastrointestinal problem and a behavioral problems.  If one is eliminated,  hopefully the second can be addressed without too much stress.

Dog feces doesn't smell good of course,  but it should not be foul.  Plus, she has an aberrant eating pattern, which may be caused by a gastrointestinal problem.  

Gastrointestinal problems can be caused by anything.  The list of potential gastrointestinal problems is extensive, and parasites are very common causes of GI problems.

There are many GI parasites, but some common parasites include:  coccidia, giardia, roundworms, whipworm, hookworm, tapeworm, and many more.  

A fecal analysis may show parasites, but some parasites are intermittently shed and are hard to detect.  Please take a fecal sample to your vet for analysis, and,  even if the fecal analysis is negative, it might be best to have her treated with a broad spectrum anti-parasitic medication, such as Drontal Plus,  Panacur, or equivalent.  You should also ask your vet to place your dog on a probiotic, such as Prostora.  

If these are ineffective, your dog should be assessed by a vet for other gastrointestinal problems, such as IBD, Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, and many more.  Endocrine disorders can also affect the GI tract and behavior.  Your vet can test for these and other possible problems also.

The behavioral problems do sound as if they will take a bit of hard work on your part and may even require professional training and/or behavioral modification medications, which are available from your vet.  

Crating would be a good idea.  The crate should be small enough so that she cannot escape feces if she does go in her crate.  
Helpful - 1
1671377 tn?1308434261
thank you for your very helpful reply
Helpful - 0

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