[Nubwagon]

So I decided to take a shot at fostering since the local shelter is way overpacked. This past Saturday, I brought home this nice black pit/lab mix to help out until I can find him a permanent home. He & my 2 dogs get along...or should I say co-exist. He doesn't really care much about them and vice versa. But he's pretty obedient & knows how to sit already.

So I fed them all last night & about 30 mins later, the foster winds up throwing it all right back up. It had to be all of the dinner I gave him...there was a lot of it & it was everywhere. Anyways, after that, he started to become distant and basically shut down. He's been mostly moping around and almost seems disoriented. He'll drink water but he won't eat anything at all. I tried giving him a little treat, some breakfast rolls I slice up for them, and tried a bit of dry dog food. He just sniffs it & walks away.

He's also breathing somewhat heavy nearly all the time which has me worried. I know the shelter said he's heartworm positive and I'm not quite sure what I need to do on my end to help out as I've A) never fostered before and B) never had a dog with heartworms before.

So, given all of that, do you think there's legitimate cause for concern? When he first came home Saturday afternoon, he seemed to act somewhat normal. He was inquisitive and kind of active. He was also that way most of Sunday as well until he lost his dinner.

Any ideas or suggestions? I am really hoping to get him into a permanent home ASAP because he really is a great dog & I can see him being an excellent family dog. Plus I really don't have the time, resources, & money to keep him very long but I don't want to take him back to the shelter.

Thanks in advance!

 

[BCdogs]

Yes, that is definitely concerning. I would go to the vet ASAP. I'm assuming the shelter covers the cost and decides what vet you go to? I'd contact them and make arrangements.

 

[TheHiddenAngel]

Sounds like an immediate trip to the vet to me. Doesn't the shelter pay for such things or do they have a clinic there that you can at least get a discount at?

 

[ames]

Same as above. Fosters dogs food and medical are paid by the shelter so find it who they go to and take the dog ASAP. Could be a blockage. You said they aren't eating are they pooping? How are their gums when you press them? Are they white and stay white? Or pink and turn white and back to pink when you press on them?

 

[Jen A]

I know our fosters are provided free medical at a few different vets. Check with your shelter for the list and get the dog in. He could have swallowed a toy or something that's causing problems.