Willy is sick; Update P2, #23

[Freedom]

Willy is sick and I'm stumped. Today is a holiday, vet doesn't open till tomorrow, and it is not an emergency.

He got into the cat food yesterday, while I was out. Dad had a hard time getting him away, but managed eventually (we now have a permanent souvenir of Willy's teeth marks on Dad's cane).

About 11 last night, Willy threw up. Then again twice more before we got up at 7 this morning. In between, he had me let him out several times during the night. He came back in after just a few minutes.

Today he has been miserable. The only thing he will take is water. Water on an empty stomach doesn't work, so within 60 seconds he throws it up again. He mopes and lies around. I've offered him several things to eat, even made some slurry oatmeal for him (Tasha ate it). He turns his head away from any food. He stayed outside this afternoon until I finally went and insisted he come back inside.

Any suggestions, I'm willing to try. Oh, I do have some Cerenia, but it says it is for motion sickness, so I haven't used it. (I got it back when Sugar had her vestibular episode).

[happylabs]

Probably just needs his stomach to mend if he threw up that much. Offer him just little sips of water until he is able to keep them down. Most likely if he threw up just water he drank too much at one time.

Little sips every 20 minutes or so and then when he can keep that down, a little more. Maybe keep him quiet and away from the rest of the pets. I know when Casey would throw up she wouldn't want to come back into the house because she thought she was bad. I never figured out why she thought throwing up was bad because we never scolded her for it.

Hope he feels better soon.

[Karen]

Aww, just some water or broth for now, even if he's throwing up, it'll get some moisture in him, and keep him from getting dehydrated!

[Freedom]

Thanks everyone! So basically I stay the course, keep doing what we've been doing.

He went outside with all the others about an hour back, and of course did not come in. (Just before I started this thread) So after a bit I went looking for him, couldn't find him. He didn't respond to me. Dark and cold out there! Got a jacket and flashlight and went back out. I found him under the evergreen bush, he'd dug a hole way behind it up by the fence. When I tried to coax him out, he growled a bit (half hearted). Went back in, got a collar and leash, and with the collar on he came right along, I didn't even have to pull on the leash. He really feels lousy, poor boy.

So he came in, downed the water, threw it up, and has been snuggled next to me since, here on the recliner. He actually looks a bit "green" in his face, he is just miserable.

It's tough to limit his water with so many other pets in the house! LOL But I'll try that too.

[Karen]

Would he lick at some ice cubes? That'll get some moisture in him as well. When folks are hospitalized and they don't want 'em drinking much water, they'll give them some crushed ice to suck on/sip at.

[robinh]

Poor little guy! I'd definitely have him checked out. Our vet says if they throw up to withhold food for 24 hours.

Kirby (our bichon) got the doggy flu this year. He was soooo sick. They gave him a shot to help stop the vomiting and pills that he took for several days to prohibit the stomach upset. Took a few days, but he came through it ok.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear that Willy has tummy problems. I know that keeping him away from water when you have other pets is hard to do. Maybe he needs to be put in room by himself for a while if he'll tolerate it. I've had this happen with my Storm before and every time he'd drink he'd also throw back up so I had to take the water away from my bedroom area and put him back in my bedroom. After his tummy has calmed down a while, you may want to try giving him 1/2 of a pepcid pill regular strength. Storm takes one every night to help with his tummy issues and I've also used it in the past with my other cats when they've had tummy issues. I hope he starts feeling better soon.

[cassiesmom]

Willy, Willy! I am saying a BIG prayer for you, sweety! Tummy troubles are no fun.

[Bonny]

Poor Willy I hope he gets to feeling better soon. Maybe with digging the hole in the ground it was a place for him to get some cooling comfort in some way. Good Thoughts & Prayers sent Willy's way.

[Lilith Cherry]

Oh dear Willy, we are hoping you feel much better soon. Do not eat the cat food - as Ben will tell you, it upsets Bichon tummies even though it tastes great! Give your tummy a rest and we will all be thinking of you

[Asiel]

I hope he didn't get into any Christmas chocolates? Didn't know cat food was that bad for dogs, learn something new everyday.
I hope the little guy recovers by tomorrow, he does sound quite sick. Could you try pepto bismal to soothe his tummy maybe?

[Scooter's Mom]

I hope he didn't get into any Christmas chocolates? Didn't know cat food was that bad for dogs, learn something new everyday.
I hope the little guy recovers by tomorrow, he does sound quite sick. Could you try pepto bismal to soothe his tummy maybe?

My Jadie eats the kitty food here frequently in place of her food - we even had to put it on a table so she couldn't get to it but she has found a way to get onto that table... ugh, naughty girl! She hasn't had any problems with it so far (and she's done it for year...)

I sure hope Willy feels better, soon.

[kaycountrygal]

I'm sorry your Willy is sick. I do hope he's better by tomorrow. If not, I guess you'll go to vet. Hope you have a good night with him and all your babies.

[Lilith Cherry]

I dont think a little cat food would hurt but Ben got into the bag and gorged! Maybe naughty Willy did the same... hopefully he will be fine by tomorrow,

[Freedom]

Yes, I figure Willy ate close to 2 cups of that cat food.

He settled down and we had a quiet night. He is exhausted, subdued, but not vomiting.

Just prior to bed last night he ate 1 small piece of plain bread - about the size of a quarter.

I offered him some unsweetened applesauce this morning, and he took 5 licks. Tasha keeps trying to get him to play with her, he looks at her and rolls over to sleep some more.

I guess now it's just a matter of slowly introducing food again. Applesauce, oatmeal, and canned dog food, all in small amounts.

Thanks for all the well wishes, all of you!