Adopted dalmation bowel problems

[Waveoid]

Yesterday we took in a 10 yr old female dalmation whose owner had died.  The dog was in her owners home for a week with 2 other dogs without eating before someone found her.  They fed her Beneful, but I don't know how well or if she ate before we took her in.  So far she is acting normally, plenty of energy, friendly, active and has been drinking water.  However, she is refusing the dog food.  She will eat milk bones and we gave her a couple small table scraps last night.  (I know...bad idea).  She ate those fine but refuses normal food.
She has been urinating normally, but when I finally saw her have a couple bowel movements today, they appeared to be slimy and small.  Similar to a human who has had bowel shutdown for a couple weeks.  (speaking from experience).  The dog is not underweight by any means.  I think she may have been obese before her ordeal.  
Should I just keep an eye on this for a few days and see what happens?  Any suggestions will be appreciated.

[Ghilly]

Based on what she has been through, I would take her to the vet and let him give her the once-over just to see what kind of shape she is in just generally speaking.  

You have to remember, she not only went a whole week without eating, she went through the stress of losing her owner and of going from being part of a pack with a human alpha to living just with other dogs with nobody really in charge. Her refusal of food probably has more to do with stress at this point than anything else, but I would havr her checked out just to be on the safe side.  

It was so kind of you to take her in, in spite of her advanced age.  Elderly dogs are very difficult to place, so you have given her the greatest gift you possibly could have because had she ended up at the shelter, chances are good that she would either have been put down, or, if it was a no-kill shelter, she would have just spent the remainder of her life there living in a kennel.  Thank you for caring enough to give her a loving home.

Ghilly

[doglover89]

It's wonderful you took in that dog, and she's lucky to have you.  I've taken in a few strays myself but they were younger dogs.  Since she's an older dog she's probably set in her ways so she has to be eased into anything.  She could be not eating because of missing her last master or yes she could be spoiled or it could be a medical problem that should be checked out.  
My advice is you could try mixing wet and dry dog food.  That way it will seem more like a treat to her, then if it works you could wean out the wet dog food.  The same could work with some plain cooked rice.  If that doesn't work a visit to the vet would be a good idea since she is an older dog.  At any rate I wish you luck and happiness with your new dog.

[ginger899]

My dog follows me everywhere too! She 'dogs' my footsteps! Sometimes she's so close behind me I daren't step back for fear of treading on her. There's nothing much I've been able to do about this. Sometimes I tell her to 'stay' (on her bed) while I do a job in the kitchen or something. She will obey, but her natural instinct is to stick by my moves!

The thing is not to pander to her whims for food. If she's been spoiled, it will be tough to break the habit. But my way would be to choose a really good suitable food for her, which is healthy and wholesome, then put the food down. If she refuses it with no good reason, and doesn't eat it within 10 minutes, take it away. Give it to her again at the next mealtime, not before. Keep this up, and if she is a healthy dog she will soon relent. Very soon she will probably start to eat and enjoy it. (but make sure water is always there)

Your new dog sounds quite adorable! I hope you all get used to the new routines, and have a happy time together.

[Waveoid]

Thank you for your rapid response, Ginger.  My wife and I think it may just be a matter of her not liking the Beneful that the owners friends gave us when my wife picked her up last night.  I have since found out that she wasn't alone for the week preceding her owner's death.  She's eating her milkbones just fine.  I also suspect that she is spoiled rotten. :-)  I'd be willing to bet that she was fed a lot of people food.  She has taken to our home extremely well!  I'm home all day, so she's getting plenty of attention.  She follows my every step to the point where she keeps stepping on my heel.  If I close a door between us she whines till I come out.  Definitely a people dog!  I gave her a good bath today.  Very cooperative!  She's even handling being around our two cats ok.  She'd never been around cats.  The only compatability problem seems to be that our long haired male chihahua is jealous.  He keeps growling at our new addition.  He'll get used to it.  He's protective of my wife.
I'm feeling more confident that she'll be fine.
I'm probably just a little paranoid since we lost a  6 year old chihahau recently to addison's disease.  By the time symptons presented, it was too late.
Thanks again!  I'll be taking her to the vet at my first opportunity.

[ginger899]

Firstly, it's so great that you took her in, and she has warmth and kindness, and a nice family home in her later years. I hope she will be very happy with you.

It might be a good idea, as you have only just aquired her, and she has recently had a few upsets, to take her into the vet's, for a once-over. This is always a good idea with any newly-acquired dog. Do you know anything of her history? For instance, do you know if she's had her booster shots?

It could well be that not eating for a week would in itself, produce smaller bowel movements. As for slimy, if she hasn't been getting proper food for some days, there will be no 'bulk' to her stools. Also she might be a bit fussy with her food right now because she has really had quite a big upset. I do not know the circumstances of these dogs, left in the house with hardly any/no food, but it would surely have caused some distress, plus sensing that their owner was gone. Ten years is a long time to live with an owner. It would be quite a big upset.
It is also, perhaps possible the dogs gnawed on non-food items?? They could do this if they were confined and not being fed?