Sick Lab / Chow Mix

[Chris & Lindsay]

I know this question / scenario is probably a shot in the dark. But I figured before we spent the $$$ taking the dog to the vet...I'd check around and see what people said.

Jager (named after the liquor) is a 7 week old female Lab / Chow mix. She is jet black with a chow tongue. We adopted her at six weeks old from an Animal Shelter / Adoption Agency here in Columbia, SC called Pets Inc. Our first impression of the place was that they really had their stuff together. In the price of the adoption...they include the first years worth of shots, the spay / neutering and if the dog happens to come down with Parvo...they will treat the animal for free.

After having Jager puppy for a little over a week now...She has been one excited ball of energy. She's happy to have a family and a nice comfy bed to sleep in every night. This morning when my girlfriend Lindsay left for work...Jager was acting just normal. She whined and whimpered because she was leaving but then carried on with her toys. When Lindsay got home she realized that Jager has thrown up and when she went to clean it up...it was fairly dry (She threw up two nights before this after playing outside for a few...eating and then drinking...I didn't think anything of it because she was hyper...figured it just didn't set well. But after that...she drank and ate some more and it stayed down). Then when I got over to Lindsay's place...Jager was just as happy to see me but noticed that she wasn't her usual jump all over you and nibble on anything and everything she can. Throughout the night...she has just laid there and didn't want to play...but she would play if you grabbed the right toy and jingled it just right. I wanted to see what she would do so we took her to Petsmart to walk around and see if she would perk up. First thing in the door everyone fell in love with her and she fell in love with everyone. Having a good time and acting like she felt just fine. Got her back home and back to acting like she didn't feel well.

I've heard that the warm nose is a myth...but her nose would go from cool and damp when she was playing...to being warm when she was laying down. She hasn't eaten or had anything to drink since 5pm and it's not 11:50pm.

I'm a technology nerd so I start looking online and start reading things.

My guess is that she just doesn't feel well and / or her little puppy tummy is upset from all the random grass, carpet, toy fur, etc. she's eaten. But I also know it could be worms and just about anything else.

She had diarhea / runny poop for a day...then it went back to the solid good stuff.

Any suggestions? Anything we can try? Anything in particular we should look for (this is our first pet as adults...as kids all we did was play with our animals...this one we have to care for and everything)? We would greatly appreciate any and all input from any angle. Thanks!!!

Chris & Lindsay

[Karen]

I'd keep an eye on her, and also call the vet to schedule a first check-up, just to be safe, and get a relationship started with a good vet. The pup is still young, and settling down. If she's eating and pooping normally, that is a good thing. The behavior changes may just still be part of the adjustment period. What is she getting for food? And what for treats? Not having anything to eat for 6 hours isn't too much to worry about, has she "done her business" since then?

[Chris & Lindsay]

Karen...I'll have to let you know on the food and treats. It's something that the Pets Inc. recommended. As for doing her business...she's done that. This morning...she acted like she was feeling better. Excited and wanting to play and be a puppy. We'll see how today goes and go from there. Thanks for the help.

[Karen]

You're welcome. And welcome to the particular combination of nightmare and delight that is puppy ownership! Have you started leash and potty training? How's she doing?

[Catlady711]

Several things in your post concern me.

The first being a puppy is acting lethargic, not eating, and vomiting. That is not normal puppy behaviour. This could be anything from switching foods, to adjusting to a new environment to coming down with parvo which can take a while to show up after being exposed to it. In any case a vet check up is certainly warranted. Be sure to take a fresh stool sample with you and they can check for worms and the like.

The second being you mentioned was she has been eating toys and carpet. This can not only upset the tummy, but sometimes can cause blockages that are very serious. Again a vet check is certainly warranted. Be sure to tell them she eats things she shouldn't have.

The third was the trip to PetSmart. Unless I misread your post (and please forgive me if I did) that this new puppy has not had all the series of the vaccinations yet? If that is the case please resist the urge to take your puppy to public areas with other dogs (ei: pet stores, dog parks etc). Your puppy is NOT protected from those diseases until a few weeks AFTER the LAST vaccination in the series. Being a young animal they are more succeptable (sp?) to picking things up, particularly if they are already sick or have an immune system already fighting off a bug.

In any case your post has a few red flags that should be checked out with a vet. They may not be anything serious but it would be enough to warrant spending a few $$ on having things checked out to be sure. The vet should be able to give you the cost of at least the checkup and fecal test prices over the phone when you make an appointment. Let them know when you get there that you need to know prices before they do anything extra, that way you don't get sticker shock or something at the check out counter. Not all vet visits cost $$$$. Some things are amazingly inexpensive and simple.

Keep us posted as to what goes on with your puppy, and post a few pix of your new little bundle of fur also.

[Chris & Lindsay]

We are actually at the emergency vet right now she started with her antics in my last post...then got better...then got nad today. They did the parvo (sp) and she's negative. They are doing a fecal test and we'll go from there.
Karen...we have started leash and potty training. The leash is still a work in project but she's doing better. The potty training is going okay. She has started going to the door and pawing (which we need to stop) and / or a little whine. And if she can't hold it...she scrams for the bathroom (her personal kennel). She is on Precise Canine - small & medium puppy formula and we have been giving her Nature's Recipe Training Treats.
CatLady...we didn't even begin to think about the vaccinations / Petsmart thing. We start her shots this week.
We'll keep you posted and get some pics on here soon. Thanks for the help and support

[Catlady711]

I hope they get your puppy feeling better again soon. Very glad to hear she tested negative for parvo!

We'll be looking forward to those pix!! Here at PT we LOVE pix of furkids!!

[Chris & Lindsay]

Our pup is a strange one. Today...like most people...we had to do the Easter thing with the family. So Jager tagged along. Always happy to meet new people...she wasn't very lively. Later in the evening we invited a friend over for dinner and as we're sitting there...Jager had been sleeping and just not being a "puppy" Then I called her over and gave her a little scrap of chicken...and buddy...you would have thought that chicken was laced with speed. No sooner did she perk up and become a "puppy" again. So we gave her some rice and cooked chicken as the emergency vet recommended and she loved it (which will bring me to a new question in the next paragraph). Since every where we went was very pollen and dust / dirt oriented...we figured we'd give her a bath to clean her up. After the bath...round two of the speed pill kicked in. Running and jumping and nibbling and just being herself. We're still keeping an eye on her because you never know what could be wrong so...we're just hoping it's an upset stomach and all will be fine very soon.

As far as the chicken and rice. We definately don't want to spoil her with the "people" food. I don't want her to think that she'll get it all the time...but as long as she's "sick" we'll probably give her a little here and there just to keep her eating. What should I do if she starts to only want to eat people food? Just keep out her dog food and know that she will eat when she gets hungry or ???

[mruffruff]

I'm so glad that you adopted from Pets, Inc. I volunteer for them and know that they will help you as much as they can. I also know that all animals have had initial vacinations before being adopted. I'm sure that you received a list of the shots that will be administered and the spay surgery they will pay for.

The food they sell at the center is one of the best brands according to the people who do independent studies. I personally don't use it, but IS a good brand. When her tummy settles down, keep her to a schedule of feeding (three times a day) and don't give her human food from the table. A few treats are OK, but give them in her bowl. Make her work for biscuits or other treats by sitting. This way she won't become a begger.

Rather than trying to break her from going to the door and pawing when she wants out, why not give her a bell to ring. And be sure to take or let her out when she needs to go out. That will let her know that she's doing a good thing. If you don't listen now, she may decide that it doesn't matter to you where she piddles.

Zoomies are normal after a bath. Even my almost-15 year old does it. Really fun to watch if you don't mind a wet sofa, bed, etc. With all of the pollen in the air, a good daily brushing might be a good idea. It will get rid of most of the pollen and she will get used to grooming at the same time.

It's too bad you had to go to the emergency room yesterday. Pets, Inc. might have been able to advise you what to do or where to go that would have been cheaper, but Easter is only one of two days a year that they are closed, Christmas being the other. If you ask the staff, they can give you the name of a vet in your area.

It sounds as if Jager had a little too much excitement. Her tummy should settle down soon.

There are some very knowledgeable people on the Pets, Inc. staff and a whole lot more here at Pet Talk. Welcome!

[buttercup132]

As far as the chicken and rice. We definately don't want to spoil her with the "people" food. I don't want her to think that she'll get it all the time...but as long as she's "sick" we'll probably give her a little here and there just to keep her eating. What should I do if she starts to only want to eat people food? Just keep out her dog food and know that she will eat when she gets hungry or ???

You culd just feed her raw. Maybe it's the dog food that is making her not feel well?

[caseysmom]

I have always fed Casey cooked plain chicken and rice when she gets a stomach upset, sometimes I add some plain yogurt. It isn't spoiling it just gives there stomach a rest.

[kallisto4529]

When Reilly is sick and his stomach is bothering him for whatever reason I always fix rice for him, I keep it on hand just for him and chicken broth, sometimes I had chicken into it and sometimes I dont, but he always goes back to eating his own food when he is ready for it and does not expect the rice all the time, so I would not worry too much about that. I do hope she gets to feeling better soon, Reilly has a sensitive stomach and so did my RB Ginger, I learned with her she had Colitis, she could just get upset and daddy and I, her stomach would start in.