Help I am on the verge of emaciation!!!

[biggflintmi]

I recently took a dog that was staying in a basement while the owners went elsewhere due to lack of electricity and water. They say it has been fed once a day but im looking at the dog and i say no way. He is not as bad as the dogs you see on animal planet but his ribs are starting to show and you can feel his spine when you pet him. I have had him 2 days and he eats all the food and drinks a whole bowl of water and goes to the bathroom all day. I also have 2 of my own dogs and i was wondering if there is a special way to feed starving dogs because he trys to eat the other dogs food. Its like it just goes thru him because hes constantly going to the bathroom. I was thinking i should buy him some rice or something. any suggestions would be appreciated.

[BoxMeIn21]

You might want to get him checked out by a vet first - he might have something medically going on.

[Denaluvscorgis]

I would suggest maybe feeding smaller meals more often for a while until the dog feels better. Has it been to the vet to be checked out?? Maybe it has some other health issues going on.

[squirtsmom]

Good of you to care for h im. Going to the vet is always a step in the right direction.

[bubbatd]

^^^^ agree . Worms may be involved too ....bless you for taking him in !!

[elegy]

when it goes right through him, does the poop look normal?

i agree that he really ought to see the vet.

[Sush]

Definately take him to the vet asap for an over-all health check. Meanwhile feed three small meals a day and if he's wolfing them down (like inhaling with no chewing going on) I'd soak the food until soft so it can be more easily digested. What size dog is he?

[showpug]

Small meals throughout the day. I would recommend a vet visit right away. Heart worms, heavy intestinal parasite load and other illnesses can cause an animal to not be able to gain wait properly.