Puppy Tummy Trouble *Updated*

[BCDisneyFanatic]

* sorry if this is a bit graphic...you're forewarned *

I adopted my first puppy this week from a rescue group. Snickers was found with his sister lying next to his dead mom after she'd been hit by a car. He's somewhere between 12 and 16 weeks old, according to the vet (mine said 16, the rescue group's said 12). He's a small to medium sized dog that looks like a mix of cocker spaniel and some sort of black and tan breed. Snickers is incredibly adorable, affectionate, and already well on his way to being house trained.

However, last night at around 6pm he had a bit of diarrhea (pudding consistency) followed by vomiting and extreme lethargy. I took him immediately to the vet, and he said it was gastrointestinal (obviously!), gave him a shot of something for the vomiting, and two prescriptions (one for vomiting, one for diarrhea). We came home and he proceeded to throw up four more times before 8pm, and had a bout of a little softer diarrhea at 10pm. From 6pm onwards, I couldn't get him to drink anything, and he wouldn't even get out of his crate to throw up (although he did get out for the bowel movements). At 2:30 in the morning, he had a large bout of mucousy (sp?) diarrhea (no blood in it). He then went back to bed and slept until 7:30. Needless to say I was extremely worried, and waffled all night about taking him back to the emergency vet clinic.

However, he looked and acted better this morning. Thankfully he's been eating and drinking normally (although he's now on boiled chicken and rice only). He's still sleeping a lot, and is fairly lethargic, but does do a bit of exploring each time I take him outside to go potty, and occasionally comes over to me for a cuddle and a pat. He's peeing regularly, so I think I can safely assume that we've avoided any serious dehydration.

So, here are my questions, concerns:

1) He hasn't had a bowel movement since 2:30 am last night, even though he's been fed twice already today. He usually goes at least four times a day (at least once after each feed). Should I be concerned? Or is this a good sign that the change in diet and meds are working?


2) He's still pretty lethargic; not his usual puppy self. Could this be a side effect of the meds (I know that anti-nausea drugs make ME sleepy!)?

3) The vet said to bring him back tomorrow morning for a check. Are there any questions in particular I should be asking him?

4) Snickers hasn't had any of his vaccinations yet. He was supposed to be getting his first set this Thursday. Will I need to delay them? I'd hate to have to, since he's already so behind on them!

Any and all advice is welcome!!! As a new puppy momma I can't believe how attached to this little guy I've already become.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Congratulations on the puppy ..since you have a Vet follow up appt tomorrow I will only add this. Poor little guy is probably exhausted (remember how you feel when you get something and you have the same symptoms as him) make sure he doesn't eat too much today, I would cut the normal amounts down. The rice is probably binding him up so he's not having diarrhea, I personally would just take the questions you posted to your Vet tomorrow.

You may, or may not, get some advice here but I say just do what your Vet said. Don't do anything different than the Dr advised. Please don't worry and let us know what happens tomorrow. Oh one more thing with his crate, wipe it out with bleach on a paper towel or something when the accidents occur.

Would love to see pictures if you'd like to share when he's up to it
I used to rescue and the symptoms aren't all that uncommon with these little ones especially. Poor baby, hope his sister was adopted too..poor momma


Ruthie

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Were those the feeding instructions the vet gave you? Maybe because he's a puppy, but generally dogs are kept NPO (nothing by mouth save for a small amount of water) for 24 hrs, then small amounts of rice and chicken are gradually introduced, mixing in more of his own dog food over the course of a few days if the stools firm up again.

The reason being that the gut is inflammed and will not absorb water and food correctly until the inflammation subsides. So if you put food into an inflammed gut, it will keep coming out as diarrhea (the colon absorbs liquid). So don't be surprised today if the diarrhea continues since you are feeding him. If stool is formed when he goes, then that's good, but I'd be surprised if it is. Mucous in the stool also has significance (you can ask the vet about it).

I presume the vet tested for worms? If not, bring a stool sample in tomorrow with you.

Don't fret, he'll likely be ok. This happens to dogs every once in a while, some more than others. I've had a few Shepherds with sensitive GI tracts so this became a way of life for me. With one of my dogs we really couldn't vary his diet AT ALL or we'd have to go through this whole routine with him.

Remember with a puppy to keep any foreign objects away from him like you would a baby, and also keep him away from the trash and bones, etc.

They will probably still go ahead with his shots Thursday if he's better.

 

[Luvchefmic]

That's a great ? Pea N Me I just ASSUMED the Vet told her to feed chicken & rice..good point

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

Yes, the vet said to feed 1 to 1.5 cups of rice and chicken (half and half) each day for the next three days, followed by a gradual introduction back to his puppy food over the following three days. I didn't feed him from 12pm yesterday until 7:30 this morning, though, since he wouldn't eat anything last night anyway. He was definitely hungry this morning, though, so I'm hoping the return of his appetite is a good thing. I've been keeping an eye out waiting for him to poop again so that I can at least get a sense on whether that's improving.

The rescue group did deworm him a couple of weeks ago, when he was first found. That's a good idea on bringing the stool sample, though - I will bring one tomorrow (assuming the puppy goes before then!).

I'm hoping his sister got adopted yesterday. They were bringing her to an organic market today in the hopes of finding a home for her. She was the puppy I originally went to see, but I fell in love with Snickers as soon as I picked him up and he licked my nose!!!

Thanks for your help...I feel like I'm mom to a newborn again!!!

 

[Luvchefmic]

You ARE a newborn momma again keep us posted on Snickers please (love his name by the way!)

 

[lizbaby007]

I know exactly what you are going through! My dog (who is now 7) has had bouts of this since he was a puppy. The first time it happened landed him in intensive care for 3 days on an IV (long story but it involved a very inept vet at a 24hr clinic). Since then I have learnt to recognize the symptoms before he gets in extreme gastro distress and can usually nip it before it starts with an acidophilus and 1/2 a pepcid ac tablet. I was told when he was young that he was missing some type of good bacteria in his stomach and that he would be prone to this for life

In any case it sounds like you did everything right! Its always a good idea if a dog is vomiting to take away all food and water. At least until they have stopped vomiting. Once they prove they can hold it down introduce only small amounts of water. And yes the ol' chicken and rice diet will help your puppy to get right back on track. I think after an episode it usually takes a good 24hrs for a normal bowel movement for my dog. It is usually a small one because of the small 1/2 cup meals and also has a lot of mucous in it (yech!). And an improved appetite is always a good sign! My dog now is on a special diet that is more sensitive for his stomach but I wouldn't trade him for the world

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

I took the puppy to the vet today, and he was very pleased with Snickers's progress. He's keeping his food down, and so far there hasn't been any diarrhea (although there hasn't been any poop at all since early Sunday morning). I'm supposed to keep an eye on him to make sure he's not constipated too long, but the vet said his belly felt and sounded okay, so he's not concerned (at the moment) about a blockage. Happily, the vet is now sure it's not parvo, so I'm a lot more optimistic that everything will be just fine before too long .

Snickers has moments of playfulness and excitement, but is still sleeping lots and resting in his crate. While it's sad to see him lose that restless, mischievous puppy behaviour, it's certainly made it a lot easier to keep him out of trouble! Can't wait to have my boisterous boy back in action, though.

 

[Luvchefmic]

wondering how he's coming along? any different than when the vet saw him yesterday? Sending you and Snickers good thoughts for quick recovery

 

[danalee]

Awww what a good puppy momma!! Glad to see things were looking up and cant wait for an update

OT: I lost my Snicker about a year ago, she was found by my mom when she was about 6-8 weeks old, some other animal got the momma Cat and my mom thankfully was close by and was able to save the Kitten~ When we picked her up my son said she is the size of my Snicker bar... hence our Snicker Baby (RIP) We had her for 8 wonderful years