Sensitive Side

[pmavrich]

Both of my dog's have been sick for the past two weeks. First it was Miller while I was away for my conference, then it was Molsen when I got home from my conference. My poor husband had to clean up after them. Do you think that they were sick because I was away or do you think they might have had a virus? Molsen is the one who usually gets sick in general ... But Miller almost never gets sick. If it is me being away ... Do you have any reccomendations on how to make the transition better.

[Fluffypants]

Poor puppies! Do they have separation anxiety normally (ie. when you go to work or otherwise out of the house)? How are they feeling now?

It could be either of those reasons, or it could also be that they both got into something they shouldn't have . . . maybe while daddy was watching a ball game?

[MrsGrace]

Hello and welcome to GC!

I don't suppose you like basketball....?

If it was a virus, the next time you leave on a conference it shouldn't happen. If it's anxiety that you're gone, I would try something along the lines of... snuggle with them with a certain sweatshirt on every night a few weeks before you're gone. Get your and their scent all over it. (or a shirt?) Then when your husband is alone with them he can take over in the evenings (or whenever) snuggled with the dogs AND your shirt?

Only suggestion I have, but I'm sure the others will chime in soon!

[CorgiMum]

Poor puppers, did they vomit? Or....?

What symptoms did they have? Was your husband feeding them any differently?

[Jespah]

I have been having issues with mine as well - but I do every spring. Now that the snow has gone, all the gunk that has been frozen under it all winter is ripe and stinky to little dogs noses. YUM - my two have been eating all kinds of stuff before I can even get close to them to yank it out of their mouths!!

Rupe got a small piece of a beef bone yesterday afternoon and at 4:00 this morning he and I were up as he was throwing up and pooping at the same time - in my home office!!! The bone bits came up and he if fine now. I love cleaning at 4AM!!!

[Fluffypants]

Poor Rupe (and Deb)!!!!! Hope you have no repeats today!

[milles2]

My two with their cast iron stomachs..... I wonder if the tummy builds tolerance? Because my two eat just about anything they can find.

I grilled steak last summer and always cut off a piece for Tucker (pre Lulu). Well I wasn't that hungry so I gave Tuck even more steak - my leftovers.

In the middle of the night he threw up steak. Yuck! I didn't think his little body could hold that much stuff. That and one time when he was a puppy, I don't think I've ever seen them toss their cookies.

Lulu will yack once in a blue moon but fortunately, nothing serious.

Interestingly, to this date I have had no desire to touch steak! Hmmmm maybe I should feed them too much ice cream......

[disraeli]

Originally Posted by Jespah

Rupe got a small piece of a beef bone yesterday afternoon and at 4:00 this morning he and I were up as he was throwing up and pooping at the same time - in my home office!!! The bone bits came up and he if fine now. I love cleaning at 4AM!!!

Oh, poor Rupe! The kids send feel-good-tummy vibes.

I agree with the others - what were the symptoms? Food changes? Eating stuff off the ground?

[Jespah]

Thanks guys - Rupe has only thrown up 3 times in his whole life - so not too bad. This was because they were bone fragments and not digestible - like Chip and his stone - so his tummy gave it back!!

In the imortal words of my neice when she was three years old and threw up all over the inside of my brand new car:

"Look Auntie Deb - my Frootloops camed out!!!!

Tana there may not be any symptoms - they often just throw up or suddenly need to poop - very quickly. Or they can be a little lethargic and not as perky. I've seen it both ways. If they are really down, not holding their head up and not eating - get thee to a vet pronto!!

[minnesotaCorgi]

I too am curious to know more about what the symptoms are (e.g., how frequently they're getting sick, do they still have an appetite, what's their energy level like, etc). Depending on the intensity of the symptoms, 2 weeks might be a good time for a vet visit. Let us know.

I do understand your pain though. My dog has had tummy issues in the past. The vet tested her blood, stool, gave her a Giardia snap test, and finally determined she had something called clostridial overgrowth. The symptoms were vomiting, diarreah and lack of appetite. The presence of clostridium is normal in certain amounts, but can proliferate for a variety of reasons, which include eating things they aren't supposed to eat (e.g., toys). The first vet I saw kept treating her with week-long regiments of Metronidazole and bland food (rice and boiled beef), but it kept coming back. Finally, a different vet put her on a 3-week, high fiber diet with Tylosin mixed in with her food. The goal of the diet was to restore a normal bacterial balance in her gut. That was what finally helped her.

Hope this is helpful in some way.

[Lovemycorgi]

In view of all the pet food recalls, I would bring them both to the vets for a check-up just to be sure. I hope they feel better soon.
Zachary's Mom

[ZdogZ]

I agree that a visit, or at least a call, to the vet just to make sure.

[LittlePonzo]

I would really watch them, especially with the whole pet food thing. Not to be graphic though, but is the vomit chunky or is it just foamy? Ponzo will frequently vomit froth, I believe it's from one of two things...Not eating regularly and upset stomach from eating everything but his food! Only twice has anything else ever come up in vomit...He bit off way more than he could chew from his Flossie and Booda Bone (on separate occasions). I called the vet in a panic the first time and they said don't worry if its white/yellowish and frothy, but to bring him right in if its anything other than that along with loss of appetite. Hope that helps...and that they feel better

[Michael Romanos]

I wouldn't be put off a Corgi throwing up on cooked meat such as steak. It could be other reasons than the steak itself - which I take it is beef steak. Was the steak just that or was it marinated, spiced or peppered etc, were the pieces given to the dogs cut up very small or were they large bites, had your Corgi already had his meal and the steak therefore was an overfeed.

There are two things that come to mind in giving your Corgi a recommended meaty bone - too much fat on it - remove most of the fat beforehand - and take into count that the meat off the bone is a full meal or at least most of a full meal - so don't also give your Corgi his/her usual dinner etc.

[Louwants]

Pmavrich, how is Miller and Molson doing since yesterday? Has they tummies settle down some?