Sick Lab / Chow Mix

[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.