My 4 Month old Pup Pants Excessively Sometimes When he's Walking Around the House and even When he's sleeping

by Bear's Mom

My 4 month old Chow/Retriever mix sometimes walks around the house and even sleeps panting excessively like he ran around in the back yard a couple times.

He has no other symptoms he eats, drinks, and goes poop and pee just fine he seems very happy, plays with our 7yr old son and jumps up and down chases us about but at rest in the home he sometimes simply walks around the house panting I think heavier than he should.

He also sleeps that way too even though he gets in such great comfortable positions I don't get it any thought???

P.S. His hair isn't as long as you'd think and the house is properly cooled ty



Hi Bear's Mom
This is a tricky one, and I really strongly suggest that you have your veterinarian examine Bear to rule out any health issues.

Generally, excessive panting is due to stress, pain, over-heating, or heart/lung trouble. There can obviously also be different reasons behind each of these too.

As your pup is young, and seems happy and healthy in every other way, it may be unlikely that he is suffering from anything major. However, it's definitely better to be safe than sorry.

If he's mostly in an air-conditioned environment, he really shouldn't be too hot, but some dogs do just seem to get hotter than others. Same with stress-related panting, some dogs seem to huff and puff forever if they've been stressed or anxious over something, or over-exerted themselves.

It's important to find out what is causing your little guy to act in this way, so I would suggest getting an appointment with your vet asap. Hopefully you can rule out any serious issues, and put your mind at rest.

Best of luck with Bear, hope you find the answer.

Puppy with runny nose

My 3 month old Pitbull puppy has a runny nose particularly out of one nostril.

I took her to the vet prior to the runny nose and they did the kennel cough through the nose instead of a shot, it's the same nostril that has the mucus coming out, could that be the reason?



Hi
The Bordatella (Kennel Cough) vaccination is considered to be a 'live' vaccine, and it can sometimes cause runny nose, congestion or coughing in pups. Particularly the intranasal (given up the nose as opposed to by a needle) variety, although giving it this way provides more immediate protection from Kennel Cough.

These symptoms should only last a short time, but if they don't go away, seem to be getting worse, or your pup acts as though she doesn't feel well, please take her back to your vet for an examination.

Kennel Cough is generally a self-limiting condition (goes away on it's own), but secondary bacterial infections can develop which may need antibiotics or other medications. It's possible that this could also happen to your pup too.

With young puppies it's always important to be aware that they are totally unprotected from the many dog illnesses that are around. A runny nose could also be a sign of other illnesses, not just Kennel Cough. If you notice any vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or your pups seems ill in any way, please take her back to your vet asap. Pit Bulls are one of the breeds that are particularly vulnerable to Parvo and you can't be too careful.

Good luck, hope she's doing better soon.

My Sick Baby Chihuahua

by Ashley
(Nashville,Tn, USA)

My chihuahua has been acting really weird today. He won't eat anything except cat food, he's been laying around all day, i picked him up and he yelped like something hurt, and he's shaking like he is cold.

I need to know what to do or whats wrong with him. :(


Hi Ashley
I'm afraid that I'm not a veterinarian and I can't tell you exactly what is wrong with your dog, but he's obviously not feeling well at all.

He needs to see a vet as soon as possible. Chihuahuas are very tiny, and can be delicate. He's at risk of dehydration and/or hypoglycemia if he doesn't eat and drink.

The shivering and shaking could be due to pain, shock, a fever.... it's impossible for me to tell, but please take him to a vet right away. He needs to be evaluated.

Best of luck, I hope he's doing much better soon.

umbilical hernia

by Jayne
(uk)

Hi
My 9 week old cavalier king charles puppy has a umbilical hernia and i was just wondering if it is dangerous i think as my puppy is growing so is the hernia.

do you have any idea how much the operation will cost?


Hi Jayne
An umbilical hernia, at least the most common variety also called an 'incomplete closure', doesn't usually cause a problem, and often closes up of it's own accord.

However, if the hernia gets larger rather than smaller as your puppy grows, it may need a simple surgery to close it up to avoid any potential complications. This takes just a few stitches, and could probably be done when you get your puppy spayed/neutered. I'm not sure about the cost involved, but it won't be a particularly expensive procedure, and if you can combine it with the 'altering' surgery, maybe minimal cost would be involved.

Meanwhile, although complications are unlikely, it's best to be aware of what to look out for. The danger with a hernia arises when a loop of bowel/intestine gets trapped in the gap between the abdominal muscles walls. Normally you will be able to 'move' the hernia and push it back inside (gently of course). However, if it gets 'trapped' (or 'strangulated') the little lump will be hard and painful, and you won't be able to move it or push it back inside. This can be a very serious situation, and if it happens get your pup to a vet immediately as it could well require the surgery to be done very quickly.

I would also suggest that you have your vet examine your puppy to make sure that this is a simple 'incomplete closure' and give you his recommendations. Best of luck!

puppy whimpering when pooping

by Sara
(Spokane, WA spokane)

i got home from work and my dog was having problems pooping, and he has poop stuck all over his butt. when i took him out to poop again i saw that he kept wiping his butt along the ground.

well this morning he has been whimpering everytime he has to poop? so i don't know whats wrong with him. i tried giving a bath to get the poop but there was so much, and he is a very fluffy dog. what should i do??



Hi Sara
It sounds as though your puppy is constipated. It could be an internal problem - he's not getting enough fluids, or exercise, or that he's eaten something he shouldn't. It could also be an external problem in that his fur is matted around the anus and is physically preventing him from pooping.

Either way, he needs help. My Puppy Constipation page has lots of tips and advice on this, but as your pup is in distress I would strongly suggest that you call your veterinarian for advice on this right now. Trimming the hair around his bottom will help for the future.

The page mentioned above also has advice that will help you avoid the same situation in the future. Best of luck, hope you get him all sorted out soon.

4 month old chocolate lab

by david
(debary fl)

we got him when he was about 3 weeks old. his mother couldn't support the litter so we had to bottle feed him formula. he has been completely healthy and weighs about 25 pounds now, his mother and father weighed about 115-125 lbs each.

but now i believe he may have been bitten by something the other day when he was asleep because he cannot put pressure on his left leg.

he walked around fine all day and night then woke up in the morning this way what should i do?





Hi David
If he can't put any weight on that leg there is definitely something wrong.

Can you see swelling/redness or indications that he was stung/bitten? If so, it could possibly be due to that, but it's an extreme reaction.

I think it's more likely that he hurt it in some way, either twisting or lying on it 'wrong', or maybe he jumped or fell during the night?

Either way, he really needs to be seen by a veterinarian. He needs to be examined in person, by a professional. Labradors can have trouble with their joints/hips, and it's important to get the correct diagnosis and treatment.

I wish you the best of luck and hope that he's running around again soon.

mucus in puppy poo

by samantha
(Albuquerq)

Could my puppy have this because of her first shots?

She's now 7 weeks and she really hadn't had a change of diet.

She has had the 5 in one shot, if someone
can answer this i'd greatly appreciate it.




Hi Samantha
Mucus in your puppy's poop just means that she has some sort of irritation in her colon. This could be a reaction to a change in diet, stress, or medications/illness etc.

Many puppies have a mild reaction to their puppy shots, which can include diarrhea or an upset tummy.

If she seems perfectly happy and healthy otherwise, and isn't suffering from repeated diarrhea or vomiting, I wouldn't worry too much.

However if you continue to see mucus in her poop, she seems sick in any way, or starts having other issues, take her to your vet for a check up.

Best of luck with her.

swollen face and eyelids of my basett hound puppy

by amy
(wales)

my basett hound puppy has swollen eyelids, glands sticky eyes and looks like little blisters around his mouth...


Hi Amy
It sounds to me as though your pup may be suffering from a condition known as 'puppy strangles' (real name juvenile cellulitis). The term 'strangles' I believe came about because the swollen glands under the neck can be very large, making it look like the puppy is strangling!

This illness needs to be diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian right away. Treatment usually includes corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and swelling, plus antibiotics to kill the bacterial infections. Keeping the area of pimples or pustules clean and dry is also important.

This won't get better by itself, and can be very serious indeed. Please get your pup to your vet right away so that he can get the treatment he needs.

Best of luck, hope he's doing much better soon.

Chiwawa puppy problems

I have a chiwawa that is about one year old...Today he started having mild diarrhea and is not eating and acts a little off balance...What could be wrong with him?

I am a first time dog owner...




Hi
I'm afraid it's impossible for me to say what could be causing your pups's symptoms, there are many different possibilities.

He may have eaten something that has caused him to feel ill. This could just be a minor tummy upset as a result or if the substance/item was poisonous it could obviously have more serious consequences. My Poisonous Foods and Dog Poisoning pages have lots of info. on this.

It could be an infection of some sort, and depending on whether or not your pup is fully vaccinated, it could be one of any number of dog illnesses.

In tiny dogs like chihuahuas, hypoglycemia can be a problem. This is an due to fluctuating blood sugar levels, if your pup isn't eating then he could become hypoglycemic. This would cause dizziness, disorientation, lethargy etc. It can be extremely serious. Check out my Chihuahua Puppy Care page for more on this.

I would strongly recommend that you take your pup to your veterinarians' office right away. If they're not open, there should be a 24 hour animal emergency hospital somewhere local to you that you can contact.

Chihuahuas are tiny, tiny dogs and very delicate, it's always better to be safe than sorry, so get him examined asap. Best of luck!

vomiting Pug pup

by joey
(mesa,az)

My 6 month old pug puppy has vomited up yellow and white liquid, and has eaten and drank today but is very tired and is normally real active.

What is wrong with her?



Hi Joey
I'm afraid I'm not a veterinarian, so I can't make a diagnosis for you, but I can give you some ideas and some advice.

Vomiting could be a sign that your pup has eaten something he shouldn't which has upset his stomach, in this case a pup often looks a bit dejected and sorry for himself too.

Many times whatever he's eaten is fairly harmless, but there are also lots of products,plants and human foods that are poisonous to dogs. Check out my Poisonous Foods and Dog Poisoning pages for information and advice on this.

It is also often an early symptom of illness, if he's not fully vaccinated this could be serious. Lethargy is also a symptom of many diseases.

Vomiting up yellow/frothy type liquid sometimes happens when a dog has a too-empty tummy, it's sort of like acid reflux in humans. When this is the cause, it's usually seen first thing in the morning.

If your dog vomits more than once, and/or seems ill in any other way, I strongly suggest that you take him to your veterinarian so that he can be examined. That way if any treatment is needed you can get it started quickly.

Best of luck, hope your pup is feeling better soon.

my cavalier king charles spaniel trembles in his sleep

by Dori
(Hicksville,ny)

I just got my puppy today from a breeder and I was watching him sleep. He was sleeping fine but then he started to shake and tremble almost jerky movements in his sleep.

It did not wake him up but I am concerned. I am bringing him to a local vet to be checked early next week but I was hoping you might have an idea of what this is.



Hi Dori
Actually, this is pretty normal. Most puppies quiver, twitch, 'run', sometimes even whine and so on, while they're sleeping. They may also breathe very fast.

It's probably nothing to worry about if you only notice this trembling etc. while he's asleep. But, if you notice any involuntary type of movements, loss of balance, twitching etc. while he's awake, take him to your vet a bit sooner for an evaluation.

Hope this puts your mind at rest. You may find my New Puppy Care and Bringing Home A New Puppy pages helpful. Enjoy your puppy!

maltese runt

my maltese puppy is around 7 months old and it's a runt, it sometimes shakes and cannot control the bottom half of her body so she drags her butt around!

i heard some runts survive and some don't, what can i do to help my dog survive?




Hi
If your pup has survived to the age of 7 months, then I doubt that she has any immediately life-threatening condition. Some runts are simply small due to having inadequate nutrition in the womb, others have congenital health issues that negatively affect their growth or health.

Shaking can be a sign of stress, pain, fear or anxiety. The lack of control of the rear part of her body may be due to spinal, nerve or neurological problems and I'm afraid only your veterinarian could diagnose and treat those.

I'd strongly recommend that you take your pup to your veterinarian as soon as possible for a complete check up. That way you'll know what is causing her problems and be able to get the correct treatment for them.

what happens to a puppys' baby teeth

I have learned so much from your website - thank you very much.

Do puppies swallow their baby teeth? I've had a couple of dogs and have never seen any teeth that have been lost

Hi
I'm so happy that my website has helped you, that always makes my day!

As for the baby teeth - yes, sometimes a pup swallows them. Othertimes they just drop out on the floor, or when they're chewing a toy etc.

They may come out and be ingested with their food, or get stuck in that interesting stick they're chewing..... it just depends.

These teeth are quite small, especially in tiny or toy breeds, so it's not unusual not to notice them.

Good luck with your pup!

Puppy vomiting black stuff

by Pam
(Montana)

I have a 9 month old havanese puppy, he vomited black stuff today. He occasionally throws up but never black stuff.

Should I be worried?



Hi Pam
I would definitely recommend taking your puppy to your veterinarian for evaluation. Black colored vomit could indicate the presence of blood and this needs to be checked out quickly.

Of course, there are other possibilities depending on what your pup has eaten etc., but although I wouldn't panic about this I would absolutely have him examined by your vet so that you know what is going on.

Best of luck, hope he's doing better soon.

seven week old puppy sneezing with red bumps on lower abdomen near vagina

by Isha
(Houston Tx)

My seven week old puppy has been sneezing a lot lately, and sleeping even more, we just recently saw some red bumps on her lower abdomen all in a collected corner, she has been biting at them and trying to scratch them.

I am very worried because she hasn't been able to get her shots yet--at all. and i know i shouldn't have adopted her if i couldn't get them the same day but it was my fault i spent 150 dollars on other things.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help me!!!




Hi Isha
I don't think you need to be panicking about this just yet, it doesn't sound as though your pup is really sick, but she definitely does need to be seen by a veterinarian for an examination and to get her first set of puppy shots.

Puppies can be pretty expensive to take care of at first, but once you get all the shots and deworming done, and she has the basic supplies, then it gets easier. Right now she probably has little to no protection against diseases, so vaccinations are a priority.

As for her sneezing, it could simply be allergies or an upper respiratory infections (sort of like the common cold in people). Or it could be an illness like Kennel Cough. Only your veterinarian can tell for sure.

The red spots you mention could again be an allergic reaction to something, or it could be that she has fleas, or a skin irritation or infection. Again, your vet will be able to tell you what is going on and treat it if necessary.

So, don't get too upset but make sure that you get your puppy to a veterinarian right away so that you can keep her happy and healthy. Best of luck!

5 month puppy sleeps a lot and doesn't eat much

by Jeremy
(Richburg, SC, USA)

Our 5 month puppy sleeps a lot and doesn't eat much. Is this normal?




Hi Jeremy
It depends. Puppies do tend to 'slow down' a little as they get older, and small breeds mature faster than large or giant ones.

Their appetite will also go up and down with at different stages of development.

Generally these kinds of changes come on over time, not suddenly.

If your pup seems perfectly healthy and happy otherwise, isn't suffering from vomiting, diarrhea or seems to be in pain or distress, and his loss of appetite and lethargy aren't an overnight or new thing, chances are he is fine.

However, if this behavior is unusual for him, or he shows any other signs of illness, please take him to a veterinarian right away.

In fact, i would recommend having a veterinarian check him out anyway, just to make sure there are no underlying health problems.

Best of luck.

puppy poop problems

by richie
(HB california)

my new maltese puppy has been having diarrhea on and off for a couple of days now.

when she poops outside it is light and almost yellow. inside, on the training pad it has been regular solid stool or runny with traces of blood at the end. the most recent was greenish and mucus like with a trace of blood.

eating and playing is all normal although she did get into some of my other dogs hard food. any advice?




Hi Richie
This could just be a reaction to the stress of coming to her new home (see Bringing Home A New Puppy for more on this) and/or the change in diet - including eating the other dogs' food.

If she is eating, drinking and playing normally and doesn't seem to be unwell, I would give it 24 hours or so and see if it settles down. The diarrhea doesn't sound extreme but the traces of mucus/blood indicate an irritation of the colon. Again, this could just be dietary or stress related.

If within 24 hours it hasn't improved, or if she seems lethargic, off her food or the situation gets worse, I would recommend taking her to your vet for evaluation. She could have an infection or parasites, it's not possible for me to tell. Your vet is the best person to make a diagnosis.

Best of luck, hope she's doing better soon.

Is it normal for a puppy to vomit if she eats to fast?

by Cammie Maldonado
(Stationed in Germany for now.)

We have a 4month old german shepherd and she eats pretty fast, and tonight she threw up. all it was was her food, she's acting fine but i'm concerned.






Hi Cammie
Although it's not exactly normal, this can happen now and then, especially in a dog who practically inhales their food.

It may help to feed her more often during the day (ie three times instead of twice etc.), as if she's a bit less hungry she may take her time a little more.

You could also try using a wide, shallow feeding dish (even a baking tray would work). That way it's more difficult for her to just gobble up her food.

Also, don't let her drink right after she eats. Let her food settle down a bit first.

If she seems fine otherwise, and you're pretty sure the vomiting is because she is eating very fast, I wouldn't worry too much and try the tips above.

However, if she seems sick in any way, or starts to vomit repeatedly or suffer from diarrhea, then she needs to see a vet.

Best of luck.

My puppy has a runny nose?

I have a 3 month old Rottweiler puppy, up to date on his shots, and seems to healthy, other than the fact that he gets a runny nose sometimes.

He still eats normal, plays with the other dogs, and doesn't have a cough or sneeze or anything, just his nose gets runny..What would cause this?




Hi
If this is something that has been going on for some time, and your puppy seems perfectly happy and healthy otherwise, chances are this isn't a sympotom of anything serious such as illness or disease

A runny nose like this could happen due to sudden temperature changes, for example if he's running around outside in cold weather and then comes into a warm house.

Or it could be allergies, like people, dogs can get a runny nose with seasonal allergies, and it's the time of year for them to start up.

If you're worried about this I would recommend talking to your vet, so that you can rule out any health issues.It's always better to be safe than sorry.

Best of luck with your little guy

Sick shitzu puppy

by Jan
(Jamestown, NY)

My dog had a litter of 5 shitzu puppies, all healthy. About 2 weeks after getting her first shot one of the puppies developed a large lump at the injection site and she started to get a swollen, puffy eyelid, she was weak and does not want to eat.

I took her to the vet he gave her oral antibiotics and eye ointment. Next day her other eye became swollen and puffy, with greenish discharge. Still weak and another large lump developed behind her ear and neck area. She seems to be in pain, when you try to clean her eyes she cries and it seems to hurt. I took her to vet again, he said to push fluids and gave her nutrients in a tube. She has lost weight and just seems so weak and energyless.

The rest of the puppies are fine. Do you know what it could be and is there anything else we could do? The puppy is about 9 weeks, this has been going on for about 4 days.





Hi Jan
I'm so sorry to hear about the problems your puppy is experiencing. It must be very worrying for you.

I'm afraid I'm not a veterinarian, and can only give a personal opinion, but I hope I can help you somewhat.

It definitely sounds as though your pup has had a reaction to one (or more) elements of the vaccinations she received. The original lump at the site of the shot itself is a very normal reaction. However, the others are unsual and sound severe in nature.

In some puppies, vaccinations can aggravate or expose an already existing weakness or susceptibility to a particular infection, causing the puppy to become ill.

Some puppies are 'hypersensitive' to a component (or more than one) of the vaccine, and this can trigger an auto-immune condition. Sometimes, in certain puppies, the vaccine can produce actual symptoms of the disease it is designed to prevent.

In some cases these reactions are self-limiting, and last only a few days, in others they require treatment, and may even have long-lasting effects.

I wish I could be more help, but I'm afraid only your veterinarian can really determine what exactly is going on with this little puppy. He is in the best position to prescribe and administer treatment. If you are concerned that she isn't improving, or is getting worse, take her back to your vet, and if you don't feel you're getting the answers you need, seek a second opinion.

Make sure she gets enough rest, plenty of fluids (add Gatorade or Pedialyte to her water) and continue to give her the supplement, and combined with her medication, hopefully she will 'get over' this.

Once she is better, discuss any future vaccinations with your vet. You may want to consider giving her the vaccination for each disease separately, rather than as a combination shot. The chances of an adverse reaction may be greater with these multiple-vaccine shots, even though they are routine.

You may also want to visit my Ask A Vet page. You can get a professional opinion, for a nominal charge, and it may give you another point of view.

I wish you the very best of luck and hope this little girl is on the mend soon.

puppy cold?

My puggle puppy's first night home and the morning after I notice he is sneezing a lot and has a cold in one eye.




Hi
Puppies don't really catch a cold, the way humans do, but they can get upper respiratory tract infections which are similar.

However, that's not the only reason for sneezing, or discharge from the eyes in a puppy. Other possibilities include Kennel Cough, or even Distemper.

I would recommend that you take your puppy to your vet for an examination as soon as you can. That way you can get the correct diagnosis and treatment started quickly.


Young puppies can get very sick very quickly, so it's always better to be safe than sorry. Best of luck!

vomiting puppy

My six week old german shepherd puppy is always vomiting after she eats, she weighs two and half pounds and she is still with her mother. she doesn't like to eat much and she is very small.

i don't know what to do.



Hi
It sounds as though this puppy has some health issues and I'd strongly recommend that you have her examined by a veterinarian right away.

2.5lbs is very small for a 6 week old GSD, and if she's not eating much, but vomiting up whatever she DOES eat then she's clearly not getting the nutrition she needs to grow. Hopefully her momma is still nursing her a little but that's unlikely at this age.

It could be a physical problem such as a defect in her palate (roof of her mouth/throat) or in her esophagus. Or it could be an enzyme deficiency or other similar problem, even a combination of the two. It could possibly be something like an extreme allergy/sensitivity to the food she's eating. Only a vet will be able to figure it out.

This puppy needs help if she's to have any sort of chance at growing up healthy and strong, so please take her to your vet asap. I wish you the best of luck and hope that she's doing much better soon.

my chihuahua puppy is weak and having a hard time walking

My chihuahua puppy is 11 weeks old. 2 weeks ago i took her to the vet after she was complaining of a jaw problem. the left side of her face was tender. vet thought maybe my older dog had bit her and caused the problem. gave her metacam for inflammation & amoxicillin in case there was anything going on. within a week she developed bumps on her eyes & nose and mouth area. took her back to vet, he thought allergic reaction to the amoxicillin. so switched her to clindamicin.

her eyes are improving but her mouth still has bumps around it, her one front leg seems weaker than the other and she cries if you touch it. i did see her trying to chew on the drywall this morning, not sure what that's about. her belly seems really red down towards her bowels and she's rubbing her butt a lot on the carpet/floor. its a mystery and i'm really getting worried. she does not have diarrhea and her urine seems dark yellow to me.



Hi
I'm sorry to hear that your pup is having such a difficult time, it must be very worrying for you.

I'm not a veterinarian and I'm afraid I can't say for sure what is going on with your puppy. Your veterinarian could well be correct in his diagnosis, and the symptoms you describe do suggest allergies.

However, there are other possibilities, and the swelling of her face/jaw and the bumps on her face make me think of a condition that's often called 'Puppy Strangles'. The more correct name/s you may hear for this is Juvenile Cellulitis or Juvenile Pyoderma, and it usually affects puppies under 4 months old.

The first signs are often swollen lymph nodes under the jaw, followed by a rash of blister/pustules and skin inflammation which usually appear on the muzzle, lips, inside the ears. These tend to turn 'scabby'. More generalized swelling and pain in lymph nodes usually follows.

I'm not saying that this is what your pup has, but I would ask your vet about it. If he feels this is possible, corticosteroids given alongside antibiotics is the normal treatment and is usually effective. This is just one of a number of immune-system disorders that dogs can suffer from, and of course there are many other conditions that are also possible.

I would definitely take your pup back to the veterinarian and ask him to run some more tests on her to determine the problem. She is clearly in pain and not feeling well, so more needs to be done.

I hope this helps some. Best of luck with her.

Dog fell when jumping

by Kristel
(Australia)

My two month old toy poodle was trying to jump up onto my daughters bed and fell oddly with a huge thud. He ran off whimpering but then stopped and seemed fine.

He can walk, is eating and drinking and had used the stairs, but every now and again when he is lying there he yelps out in pain.

Is it because he is hurt somewhere or do you think he is frightened he is going to be hurt? I am worried.



Hi Kristel
Puppies often seem to take a lot of bumps and falls when they're young, just like children they have no idea of what is safe and how the laws of gravity work!

As he is eating, drinking and acting normally and isn't limping, chances are he just got a fright and wasn't seriously hurt - maybe some bruises or sprain/strain. However, there is always the possibility that he hurt himself internally, and if his yelping continues, or he seems to be less energetic than usual or show any signs of not feeling well, have him examined by a vet right away.

Best of luck, hope he's just fine soon.

hair loss and baldness in puppy

by bramley
(england)

i bought a staffordshire bull terrier puppy 3 days ago, she is 8 weeks old and her head is getting quite bald and her skin is a little flaky all over.

she is very well in herself and is eating and drinking normally but getting worried that's she has something wrong with her skin and don't want her to go bald. what could this be?

thankyou



Hi Bramley
There are two possibilities that come to mind right away. The first (and most likely in my opinion), is that she has demodectic mange.

This is a skin condition caused by tiny skin mites, and it causes patchy hairloss, particularly on the muzzle and face, or front legs. It may cause slightly itchy skin too.

Staffys are one of the breeds that seem to be particularly susceptible to this, in fact I had a staffy myself who had this when she was a pup.

Luckily it's fairly easy for your vet to diagnose and treat. He will take a skin scraping to test for the presence of mites, and then she can be treated with special shampoos/dips.

I'd recommend taking her to your vet for testing as soon possible, because left untreated it will only spread and get worse.

The other possibility is an canine allergy of some sort. In such a young puppy I think this is less likely, but it's possible. If your vet rules out mange, you may want to consider allergies.

Hope this helps, best of luck with your little girl.

My puppy hacks and always has red eyes

by savana
(jefferson city, mo)

I'm worried about my 6 month old papillion mix. Her eyes are always red and she will "hack" every so often. she swallows constantly and I feel that she is tryng to tell me there is something wrong with her.

I have taken her to the vet and they suggested that if might be allergies. They also did x-rays, but only found some bloating in the stomach. They said it looked fine. I don't know what this could be!!! please help!!!!




Hi Savana
The symptoms you describe could be allergies. Coughing, sneezing and red eyes can be seen as a reaction to allergens, just the way they are in people.

It's good that you took her to the vet and that they took X-rays, that should rule out any serious issues, but obviously she's still having problems.

You could try giving her Benadryl (but call your vet and ask for the correct dosage for her weight), and see if that helps alleviate the symptoms. It's often successful in helping with allergies.

If that doesn't do the trick I would suggest taking her back to your veterinarian and asking them to do some more tests. The red eyes could possibly be conjunctivitis, which is an infection, and could be related to infection elsewhere in her body. Blood tests and an exam should show up any problems.

It's always better to be safe than sorry with puppies, and if you're worried talk to your vet again. If you're not happy with their response, get a second opinion. You know your pup best and if you feel something is wrong, follow your instincts.

Best of luck, hope she's feeling better soon.

not active dog...pitbull puppy sleeps a lot

I have a 6 weeks old pit bull that sleeps a lot and not active lazy and lots of gas...Is something wrong with him?


Hi
To start with your puppy is too young to have left his momma and siblings and is probably feeling scared and lonely. He's a very tiny baby right now.

Even when they leave their momma at 8 weeks or older, many puppies go through an 'adjustment period' where they often act 'depressed' or homesick, may lose their appetite, sleep more than usual and so on. This only lasts a few days to a week or so, and then they usually 'rebound' and their true personality starts to shine through.

However, young puppies are at risk of catching any number of contagious dog illnesses (including Parvo) before they are fully vaccinated. Lethargy or extreme tiredness is often one of the first signs of illness, followed by puppy diarrhea and/or vomiting. Pitbulls are one of the breeds that are especially vulnerable to Parvo, so if you see any signs that he may be getting sick, he will need to see a vet immediately.

The gas could be due to the fact that he's sensitive to an ingredient/several ingredients in the food you are giving him. Make sure you choose a high quality puppy kibble without a lot of additives, chemicals or fillers.

Best of luck, hope your pup is doing better soon.

Vet or Not?

by Anna

I have a 7 week old dog. When we got her 2 days ago we noticed a small bubble that looked like a blood bubble on {or really in} her bottom.

Some people thought it might be a hernia, we are waiting to see if it goes away. I am not sure if it is bad. Should we go see the vet?

Thank-you so much.




Hi Anna
This doesn't sound like a hernia, the most common types of hernias are visible on the puppies belly, not rectum.

It could possibly be a hemorrhoid, this can happen if the puppy has been constipated and straining to poop. This is not terribly unusual in small breed puppies.

However, I'm not a vet and I can't really say what this is for sure. I would recommend that you let your veterinarian take a look at your puppy so that he can make the correct diagnosis.

If she seems happy and healthy, is eating, drinking and eliminating normally, chances are she's doing fine and this is something pretty simple. However, it's always better to be safe than sorry and your vet can sort this out for your.

best of luck.

puppy bitten by bulldog master

by james oldden
(centerville, ca)

i have a 2 month old puppy that was bitten by a bulldog master. the puppy is fine, he survived. the only problem is that the spot that he was bitten he developed a bump.

what happened is that the bulldog master thought that the puppy was a toy. she left the puppy three puncture wounds all of which have healed. but after the bulldog bit the puppy, on one side there was bump that first appeared and then disappeared and now has reappeared.

i am wondering what it is and if i should take him to vet right away. like i said the puppy is fine, he plays eats does everything. the bump feels squishy and when i press down on it, it doesn't hurt the puppy. what is it and what can i do??




Hi James
Poor little guy! Luckily he seems to have survived the experience without too much damage.

It's possible that the lump is swollen tissue from the injury, or it could be a pocket of infection. As it doesn't seem to hurt the puppy and he's acting happy and healthy otherwise, I don't think it's an urgent matter. BUT I would definitely recommend that you take him to your vet soon and have this lump checked out.

If it is infection, he likely needs antibiotics to get rid of it. You don't want it getting worse. If it's just swollen tissue or scarring, there's likely nothing that can be done, but it's important to make sure that you get a professional veterinary opinion on this.

There's general information on dealing with dog injuries caused by dog (or other animal) bites/attacks. You can find this on my Dog Wounds on Dogs page.

Best of luck with your puppy.

Lump on my puppy's butt

by Lucy
(Houston texas, harris )

My 2 month pit bull has a red lump coming out from his butt, What can it be?



Hi Lucy
It sounds as though this could be a haemorrhoid, but I'm afraid I'm not a veterinarian so I can't say for sure.

I would recommend that you have your veterinarian examine your puppy so that he can make an accurate diagnosis, and decide whether treatment is necessary.

A haemorrhoid isn't something to panic about, but you definitely need to find out for sure what is going on, so please take your pup to your vet asap.

Best of luck

puppy is shaking, sleeping a lot and sneezing?

by aubrey

she is shaking like she is cold, sleeping all day, sneezing often and hasn't ate her food today...



Hi Aubrey
It definitely sounds as though your puppy is sick.

t could be an upper respiratory infection (kind of like the common cold in humans), but it could be a serious contagious canine illness, such as Distemper, or it could be Kennel Cough.

It's impossible for me to tell, and I'm not a veterinarian I'm afraid. I very strongly suggest that you take your puppy to your vet as soon as possible.

Little puppies can get sick, very fast, and she needs to be diagnosed and treated asap.

Best of luck, hope she's feeling better soon.

i dont know whats wrong with my pup

by Jessica
(Michigan)

i have a 5 month old german shepard mix puppy and she just got her first round of shots and dewormed..now she is not herself usually she runs all over today she just isn't she just wants to sleep and is throwing up small piles of white foamy bile....

i cant get her to the vet till next week is this normal after there first treatments?



Hi Jessica
Many puppies have a reaction of some sort to their vaccinations. Worming medication can also cause side effects.

It sounds as though your dogs' symptoms are fairly mild and within the normal range. Loss of appetite, being more sleepy than usual, a lump/swelling at the site of the vaccination, or a low grade fever are all fairly common. The vomiting could possibly be due to the dewormer, it can cause stomach upset.

I'd recommend that you check out my Puppy Shots page as it has more information on vaccinations and the possible reactions. If you notice any of the more severe reactions mentioned, have your puppy examined by your vet.

Generally the mild reactions only last a few days, so your pup should be back to normal soon. If she doesn't seem to be improving though, or gets worse, call your vet for advice.

Best of luck with her.

what is my puppy's illness

by s al
(nwk nj)

she is not eating she has a yellow slimey stool and she is moaning as if she's in pain my pup is 1 out of 11. she was not the runt.




Hi S al
I'm afraid I'm not a veterinarian, but it's clear that your puppy is sick, probably very sick.

If she's not eating, has diarrhea and seems to be in pain, she's in serious trouble.

I'm not sure how old she is, or anything else, but I'm certain that she needs to be seen by a veterinarian right away. Please get her some help. I wish you the best of luck and really hope this little girl is doing better soon.

Papillon puppy has red rash that itches her.

My Papillon puppy born March 1, overnight developed an itchy pink rash. She was rubbing her butt on the floor and crying. It broke my heart so I rushed her to the vet. My vet said that her anal glands are fine and no sight of worms.

The vet said she may have an allergy and put her on some pills She is now starting to pee pee when aproached by us. Is my baby going to be ok? She is still pink but not itching as much.



Hi
You did the right thing by taking your little girl to the veterinarian right away. It sounds as though he has ruled out the most obvious possibilities for the 'scooting' you mention, so chances are this was an allergic reaction of some sort. Check out my Dog Allergies page for more information on this.

As the rash seems to be improving, I think things will work out just fine. The peeing you're noticing right now could be submissive urination, and although she hasn't exhibited this behavior before it could have been triggered by the stress of the rash. She will probably also sense your anxiety and could be reacting to that.

Try to minimize your anxiety and worry, and I think you'll see this situation improve. Of course, the peeing could possibly be the result of a urinary tract infection, and if she seems to need to 'go' more often than normal, or is sometimes only peeing a few drops, I'd ask your vet to do a urine test just to be sure.

I hope this puts your mind at rest. I wish you the best of luck, hopefully your pup will be fully recovered soon.

lump on puppies face

by tanya
(st louis)

we got a puppy on wed. friday she was sneezing with runny nose. saturday lethargic, but still eating drinking and eliminating regularly. today she is still lethargic and has a lump on her cheek.




Hi Tanya
Puppies can go through an adjustment period when they first come to their new homes, you can read more about this on my Bringing Home A New Puppy page. Lethargy, loss of appetite and an appearance of being homesick is fairly common. However, it sounds more to me as though your puppy isn't feeling well.

Sneezing and a runny nose could be a sign of an upper respiratory infection, Kennel Cough, or one of several dog illnesses that puppies are susceptible to.

I'm not sure about the lump on her face, it could be an infection of some sort, a swollen lymph node or various other things.

I'd strongly suggest that you take her to your veterinarian as soon as possible, she needs to be examined. Your vet should be able to tell you what's going on and prescribe treatment if necessary.

Young puppies can get sick very quickly, so don't take any chances, get her checked out soon. Best of luck, hope she's doing much better soon.

puppy throwing up and diarrhea

by jennifer
(canada)

Our puppy was just at the vets and got her second set of boosters, she was overdue on them and we were late by two months getting her to the vets. She got it had some treats and came home the that night she threw up all her supper all over her crate, the next day she threw up yellowy foamy liquid and has extreme diarrhea.

She's still sick, she's drinking lots but has no appetite although we did get her to eat a couple pieces of bread tonight she doesn't seem to be in any pain and still seems to be acting normal just sleeping a slight bit more.

We don't want to have to take her to the vet because of money issues is there any way this could be parvo or something life threatening....oh yes she is also about five months old.




Hi Jennifer
It's possible that your pup has caught an illness or disease, especially as she was pretty late in starting on the routine vaccinations

However, being that she started these symptoms almost immediately after having her shots, indicates that it could just be a reaction to them. Many pups experience a reaction of some sort, although this sounds a little extreme.

I do understand that veterinary care can be expensive, but it's never a good idea to take chances with your pets' health. The cost can be too high - and not just financial.

If your pup hasn't improved within 24 hours, or starts to get worse, I would strongly recommend that you call your veterinarian and ask their advice.

I wish you the best of luck with her, and hope she is doing much better soon.

throwing up poop

by Jennifer
(pennsylvania)

my 7 month old pitt bull started out of the blue throwing up these large piles of what look and smell to be poop.

she does NOT eat her own poop i took her to the vet today and they gave her a shot that was supposed to stop her from throwing up and they gave me dewormer bc she thinks that's why.......my puppy was just dewormed and has thrown up two more times since we brought her home from the vet what else could be wrong with her?





Hi Jennifer
This sort of vomiting can be caused by worms, and although she's just been dewormed, it can take some time for them to clear out of her system.

Also the dewormer itself can cause vomiting and digestive upset. Usually this only lasts for a few days. The shot the vet gave her may take a little while to start working.

There are other illnesses that can cause vomiting in a puppy, including Parvo - and Pitbulls are one of the breeds who are especially susceptible to Parvo.

I would check with your vet to make sure they tested for other diseases, such as Parvo, Coccidia and so on.

If they did and the tests were negative, I would give this 24 hours and see if she's improved, if not, take her back to your veterinarian and have them re-evaluate her.

Meanwhile, you need to make sure she's getting plenty of fluids to counteract the dehydrating effect of repeated vomiting.

You can add Pedialyte or Gatorade to her water if she will drink it (the unflavored kind is usually accepted best, but some dogs like the flavors too).

However, if her vomiting gets worse, or she develops other symptoms, or you're worried about her, call your veterinarian and talk to them. It's always better to be safe than sorry with puppies.

I wish you the best of luck and hope your little girl is feeling better soon.

Help pleaseeeeeeeeeee

by Carolina Moncayo
(Miami Florida)

I just bought a dachshund puppy two days ago he's vomiting a lot the doctor told me that was normal...My question is is it normal for a two month puppy to vomit???




Hi Carolina
No, in my experience it's not normal for a puppy to be vomiting repeatedly. Maybe once or twice if he's traveled far (by car or by air), or if he's had a sudden change in diet, but not repeatedly.

Vomiting is often a sign of illness or disease, in puppies it can be a sign of Parvo, if accompanied by lethargy, diarrhea and so on.

Puppies who vomit over and over again are at risk of dehydration, which can be fairly serious in itself. I would strongly recommend that you have your puppy examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible if he is still showing symptoms.

It's ALWAYS better to be safe than sorry. I wish you the best of luck and hope your little guy is feeling much better soon.

Life after Parvo

by Reina

My 5 month pitbull puppy recently caught the parvo virus. He was is the hospital for about a week. It's been about 2 weeks since he has been home.

When he came home he was on a very bland diet for the first few days. As the days went on his appetite has gotten better and seems more energized. He was a very healthy puppy before he got sick with the parvo and now has lost weight...so he looks skinny.

My question is Can I give him the Meyenberg goat milk to help gain his weight back or is it to early to give him any yet??? I've been told that I should wait a few more weeks cause his stomach is still healing. I've been feeding him soft foods like rice, boiled chicken and canned food from the vet and lately he has been eating regular dog food with no problems. I just need a second opinion about this.



Hi Reina
I'm so glad to hear that your pup survived Parvo, he's definitely one of the lucky ones.

It takes quite a bit of time for a pup to recover from this illness as it has taken a huge toll on his body. It's very normal for him to look skinny, but it sounds as though he is improving every day.

At this point, my personal opinion would be to wait a bit longer before adding goats milk to his diet. Although easier to digest for dogs than cows milk, there is still a risk that it could upset his tummy and you don't want to take any chances with that as he will still be weak and his immune system needs time to get stronger again.

In fact, I would probably not advise giving him milk at all, the diet he's on right now should be giving him all the nutrients he needs and he'll gain weight over the next few weeks. I know it's hard to believe when you see a puppy who is recovering from Parvo, but in a couple of months you won't even know he was ever sick!

There is one thing you may want to try, it's a nutrient-rich paste often used to help very young or sick puppies who aren't thriving. It's called Nutri Cal and I've used it myself and would recommend it.

I wish you and your little guy all the best, hope he's 100% better soon.

9 week old westie and loose stools

by sheils
(UK)

I have just bought a nine week old westie
She is quite small, is eating and drinking but I have noticed that her poo is very yukky and has traces of blood in it...what could it be?



Hi Sheils
There are a few possibilities here. It could simply be that your pup is experiencing a mild tummy upset due to a change in diet, or the stress of leaving her canine family - or a bit of both.

Puppies usually go through a bit of an adjustment period at this time, and they can seem sad or depressed, lose their appetite, sleep more than usual and so on. You can read more about what to expect on my Bringing Home A New Puppy page.

Of course, there are also health related issues that can cause diarrhea like this. Most puppies have worms which can result in loose stools. Certain dog illnesses have diarrhea as a major symptom too.

I'd recommend taking a look at my Puppy Diarrhea page for more information on this. It will help you figure out what's going on and what you need to do about it.

Overall though, err on the side of caution and if you're at all worried about your puppy have your vet check her out. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

Best of luck with your little girl.

dog seizures

my dog that is 2-3 years just had her neck shaking and she was twitching and i don't know what it could be...

we just had our family leave with there dogs they stayed up here for a week and that's when it started.

but i dont know what it is, it's like nothing i've ever seen before and her breathing will go up then it will go down.



Hi
It doesn't sound as though your dog had a full-blown 'seizure', as that normally results in total body spasms and loss of consciousness.

It may be that she had a partial seizure, as this usually involves more localized twitching as you describe.

I doubt your family's visit had anything to do with that, unless she was just overstressed due to having so much going on around her.

A virus, epilepsy, low blood sugar, an injury or ingesting a toxin or poison can all cause seizures in dogs.

If this happens again, I would strongly suggest that you take your dog to the vet for an examination. That way you can find out what's causing these episodes and get any treatment started.

Hopefully this will just have been a 'one off' experience, and your dog will be totally fine from now on. Best of luck!

maltipoo congenital health problems

by keith mcduff
(des moines iowa)

what are the congenital health problems associated with a maltipoo?




Hi Keith
Well, a maltipoo is a 'designer' or 'hybrid' dog, so it's basically a mix of two 'purebreeds'.

Therefore it could be that the congenital health problems of both the Poodle and/or the Maltese are a possibility.

Obviously purchasing a well-bred puppy, from stock that has been proven free of these congenital problems would be the best way to avoid potential problems.

These health concerns may be seen in Poodles -


Addison's disease, Cushing's disease, Legg Perthes disease, luxating patellas, epilepsy, PRA and von Willebrands disease.

In Maltese, these issues may arise -


Hypoglycemia, collapsed trachea, skin allergies, white shaker dog syndrome.

I'm not a vet and can't say what effects mixing the two breeds will have. It may increase the risk of some, but decrease the risk of others. As there are different risks associated with each breed, it may be that they will be 'recessive' in nature. I would strongly suggest that you check with your vet for more detailed information on this.

Best of luck!

housebreaking question

by Charlotte
(Ohio)

Our puppy is about 12 weeks old and was a "pound puppy." She's been spayed and had her first series of shots.

Since her check up 2 weeks ago, she's regressed in her potty training and seems to have less control than before. She dribbles...and although I believe she knows to go to the door when she needs let out (we're letting her out at least every hour); she wets more now inside than she ever did before.

Could she have a bladder infection? Should I call the vet and have her checked??

She came home from the shelter on an antibiotic for kennel cough and only stopped taking it 2 weeks ago.




Hi Charlotte
I'm not sure how long you've had your pup exactly, but it's not that unusual for a puppy to go through an period of unsettled behavior when she first comes into her new home.

During the adjustment period, loss of appetite, lethargy, regression in training and so on is fairly common. This could account for her bladder problem.

It's also possible that her spay surgery irritated her bladder a little, this also settles down fairly quickly.

Of course, she could have a bladder infection, and if she seems to need to 'go' urgently, and often only passes a few drops, or dribbles a lot, this is possible.

I would suggest that you have your veterinarian examine her to rule out any physical issues. If all is well, it's likely just a case of maturity.

Best of luck.

puppy has loss of appetite sleepy not playful happened overnite

by Lisa
(Chagrin Falls, Ohio)

I have 3 Papillon pug puppies i am trying to sell for an elderly friend. They have been a joy very playful bouncy silly playing and wrestling with my much larger older spaniel mix, they have recieved all worming and 2 of 3 of their 5 in one shots and they are 9 weeks old.

Almost overnight the smallest had no interest in food, water or play and now the other 2 are doing the same. No smell in light throw-up or fecal discharge, soft but not squirting poop, they just want to sleep.

What is this? I am almost positive it is not parvo, no clear or foul smell in their infrequent throwing up or poop. What is this and what can i do please?

I don't want them to die





Hi Lisa
It's difficult to say what could be going on with these puppies I'm afraid. It sounds as though they're fairly well protected in terms of vaccinations and deworming, but it's still possible for them to catch an infectious viral or bacterial illness.

Coccidia or Giardia are possibilities. Both of these can be diagnosed by your vet and treated with medications. They are generally not life-threatening when treated correctly and quickly. Of course there are other possible canine illnesses or diseases including the dreaded Parvo. However, hopefully it is one of the milder ones.

As all puppies seem to be affected, I would guess that whatever is causing them to feel ill is infectious. However, I'm not a veterinarian and can only give an opinion not an expert assessment.

I would strongly recommend that you get these puppies to your veterinarian right away, he can make an accurate diagnosis and get treatment started right away if necessary. The sooner they get taken care of, the better their chances of a full recovery.

Meantime, make sure they are getting enough fluids as dehydration can be a serious problem in puppies. Adding some Pedialyte or Gatorade to their water helps to counteract the fluid loss from diarrhea and/or vomiting.

There's no reason to believe at this point that your pups are going to die, but they definitely need to see a veterinarian immediately so that they can be assessed correctly.

I wish you the very best of luck and hope these little guys are doing much better soon.

fast swelling in neck and lips

by Beverly McDonald
(west virginia)

My puppie is 8 weeks 4 days old there were 5 in the litter. All is fine but one JILL my little female doxie at 8 weeks started getting bumps on her eye, nose, and mouth. along with little knots in her neck.

Now after 4 days her little mouth is the size of a labs and her neck now has knots the size of a egg. i have had her to the vet. he seems to be lost. please help me SAVE this little girl.


Hi Beverley
I'd recommend taking this puppy back to the veterinarian asap. I'm not a vet myself, so can't give a professional opinion but this sounds like something called 'puppy strangles'. It's most common in certain breeds including Dachshunds and affects puppies between 3 and 16 weeks old. It's correct name is 'Juvenile Cellulitis'.

I'm not exactly sure what causes it, but I believe it's a sort of auto-immune condition. If this is the problem, the bumps you notice are little ulcers and the swelling is due to enlarged lymph nodes.

This condition needs to be treated asap to prevent scarring, and if left untreated could be fatal. However, treatment with corticosteroids is normally successful. It may take a few days to see an improvement, but they should help. A course of steroids over several weeks is recommended.

If any of the little ulcers etc. are infected, antibiotics are also usually given.

I can't think of anything else that really fits the description you're giving, so I hope that this is the answer. Take her to your vet as soon as you can and ask him about this condition.

I wish you the very best of luck and hope this little girl is doing much better soon.

Sick Puppy

by Jamie
(Lenoir,nc, usa)

We have a Boxer/hound mix puppy who is about 4 months old.

He has had diarrhea for about 2 weeks and today I noticed when he was trying to poop that it was a clear mucous with blood in it.

Do you know what the problem might be? He's had his shots and been wormed.

thanks



Hi Jamie
It sounds as though there's some inflammation/irritation somewhere in your puppy's colon. That would cause the mucus/blood in his stool.

If he were acting sick (ie vomiting, lethargic, loss of appetite etc.) I would say take him to the veterinarian immediately because blood in the stool can be a sign of serious illness

However, if this were happening, I expect you would have mentioned it :o) SO... I'm assuming he seems happy and healthy other than the diarrhea. If that's so, it's most likely that something caused the first bout of puppy diarrhea and it's got into a kind of 'vicious circle' - the diarrhea causes irritation/inflammation, which causes more diarrhea, which causes more irritation..... and so on.

It's also possible that he has picked up some bacterial infection, or maybe still has worms even though he's been dewormed. Any of these can be treated by your veterinarian and I suggest that you take your pup to the clinic where they can do a fecal test if necessary and get him all fixed up.

Hope this helps. Best of luck with your puppy.

Dog Sick

She is not eating, no energy, vomiting, butt scratching....


H
If she's not eating or drinking and is lethargic, she is most definitely sick. She's at risk of dehydration from lack of fluids, and whatever is causing her illness needs to be treated.

Please take her to your veterinarian right away. You need to get a professional opinion, diagnosis and treatment asap.

Best of luck, hope she's feeling much better soon.

do puppies get extremely tired at night?

by solon
(bowie, Maryland)

I have two rat terrier pups (3.5 months old). For the last two night one of them has been extremely tired, literally almost falling asleep in my arms. It's scary. Is this normal?


Hi Solon
A lot depends on the individual puppy and how active he/she is during the day. Puppies can be little fireballs during the day, 'crashing' at night. Terriers do tend to be a bit 'on' or 'off'.

However, if this is a change from this pups' normal behavior, then I would recommend having your veterinarian examine him to make sure there's no underlying health issue causing the problem.

Lethargy, or extreme tiredness, is a symptom common to many dog illnesses and it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Best of luck.

Two week old puppy congested

by Dani
(Scottsdale, AZ, USA)

I am fostering a two-week-old puppy and he has some congestion. He sounds like he has a lot of snot in his nose, and when he breathes out, some of it comes out of his nose. I have had him since he was two days old, and he was always a little congested, but since it was clear and not very heavy I did not think it was serious.

However, it seems to be a little thicker, and it is becoming an off-white color (though it could also just be that he is getting some milk (goat's milk combined with puppy formula, because he would not eat the formula on its own) on his face and it is mixing with his snot). It seems to be worst when he first wakes up to eat, but I think maybe that is because he is awake and sniffinf around for the bottle, and when he is asleep it just doesn't bother him because he is not sniffing everything.

He does not cough a lot, though he does cough sometimes (rarely) when he is in his bed. I keep his bed clean and change the towels he sleeps on every time I feed him and it is very warm since I cover the top of the crate with a blanket to keep out drafts, and there is a heating pad under the back half of his towels (so he can move to the other side if he gets too warm).

Otherwise, he seems healthy. He eats a lot, is growing like a weed, his eyes are clear and he is starting to focus, and he seems to hear well. He is starting to walk around and go to the bathroom on his own, and he actually seems to be developmentally a little more advanced than some other fosters I have had.

I would appreciate any help you can give me. I am not sure if this is just a little cold-type thing that will go away on its own, or if I need to get him in to the vet, but since the pound I foster for is not especially helpful in this arena it is hard to get answers to questions.

Thanks,
Dani



Hi Dani
Overall it sounds as though you're doing a great job with this puppy, and it seems he is thriving :o)

However, I personally would always err on the side of caution. As you feel his congestion may be worsening, and it could be getting thicker, I would definitely suggest having a veterinarian check him over.

It's possible that he could be starting an infection... if mucus sits around anywhere for long (lungs, sinuses etc.), it can cause infection. The fact that his eyes etc., are clear and that he's eating well and is active, are all good. But he's very young, and I'm sure you know how quickly a little pup can go downhill if it gets sick. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

I hope this helps, and wish you the best of luck with this little guy. He's a very lucky puppy to have you to take care of him!

How can my puppy get better?Will he die?

by Valerie
(Coachella)

Just today he started acting strange he won't eat and he just lays there. When i saw him a while ago he was laying down looking up at me and he was kind of shivering but not really and he looked really upset or sick.

I am really scared because i once had a puppy like that and she died and i am still paying off the 2 thousand dollar bill. Is he going to get better? Is there any home remedies that are not expensive that i can try to help before he worsens because i don't want him to die.





Hi Valerie
I'm so sorry that your puppy is sick, but I'm afraid that I can't say what is wrong with him.

I'm not a veterinarian, but from what you describe he is really feeling unwell, and it could be one of the common, contagious dog illnesses that puppies are so vulnerable to. Possibly even Parvo.

I'm sorry to say that without a proper, professional diagnosis there is absolutely no way to tell what is wrong with your puppy, and only a veterinarian can help him. Home remedies are only a possibility once you know what the problem is.

Even if it is Parvo, or something else serious, your puppys' best chance of getting better (and not dying) is to be seen by a vet. If money is a real issue, some vets will work with you on a payment plan, or allow you to treat the pup at home with medications and a treatment plan they provide -which keeps the cost down somewhat.

Your puppy can't help himself and he needs you to take care of him. Please, please take him to a veterinarian right away. It may not be as bad as you think, but with a puppy you can never take that chance.

I wish you the very best of luck and hope that he gets better.

my baby callie

by tausha
(gardner ks)

i just got her the day before yesterday. she is i think a rott beagle mix.

i have many problems going on that i need advice with. she has only been on science for one and i could not find it so i bought her puppy chow she ate it really good and now won't eat at all. she was put in the bathroom for the night and i hide a roach trap in there that i totally forgot about so my kids would not see it she must have played with it because it was moved but not chewed.

also she was spayed 4 days ago it looks great just swollen but it is dried up and she had her vac and dewormed on the 5 of this month she also got a hold of my toilet brush which has had bleach on it before and in the bottom of the cannister is nasty water from cleaning the toilet but it does not seem to be drank but she did play with the brush she has thrown up twice but a little amount and it has been mucus looking and had a bowl movement with a little slime at the end but then just a minute ago she had pure clear slime coming out of her butt is it from being wormed or did she possibly ingest something that upset her belly or is it from the change in food and because she stopped eating?

i am sorry this is long but i am very concerned





Hi Tausha
It's definitely quite challenging when you first bring a puppy home, especially if it's the first time you've had a pup in the house.

I'm not sure how old your pup is, but I think it's quite possible that the digestive upsets are due to the sudden change in diet and the stress of being spayed, and moving to a new home within such a short space of time. Science Diet is a better food nutritionally than Puppy Chow, and I would advise you to buy the same food she has been eating previously, it will minimize diarrhea and tummy upsets, plus provide the nutrients she needs.

The worming, being spayed and after-effects of the anesthetic are likely all contributing to her tummy upset and these will wear off shortly.

To keep her safe from things like the roach trap, and toilet brush, and to protect your carpets, furniture and belongings, I would suggest that you buy a crate and start to use it to housebreak her and contain her at night, and when you're not around. It's much safer and easier. Check out my Crate Training page for more info and advice on this.

As you're a new puppy parent, I think my New Puppy Care page will be helpful for you.

Best of luck with your puppy.

my pitbull puppy has worms and won,t eat or drink, what should i do

my pitbull puppy won't eat or drink and has worms.



Hi
Your puppy needs to see a veterinarian immediately.

Worms can cause serious health issues if left untreated, and if your pup isn't eating or drinking he is going to get dehydrated really fast. This can be serious in itself.

Get your pup to your vet right away so that he can be treated.

Good luck, hope he's feeling better soon.

shih tzu pup being sick?

when i take my shih tzu pup 10 months out for walks she seems 2 be eating grass then when i bring her in she is sick which sometimes looks like grass but sometimes looks flemmy, stringy and brown is this normal?



Hi
Dogs often tend to eat grass if their tummy is upset, it's a sort of natural remedy for them. However, some dogs just like eating odd stuff and eat grass/weeds/rocks etc. whether they're ill or not.

As your puppy is vomiting after eating grass, it could be that she has some sort of digestive issue going on. It could be too much acid in her tummy (sort of like human acid reflux disease), or it could be parasites/worms, or something else. There's no way for me to tell I'm afraid.

I'd definitely recommend that you take your pup to your vet and have her examined. Tell him/her what is going on and hopefully you'll get a diagnosis. Then if she needs any treatment you can get it started.

Best of luck with your pup.

losing fur around bum and tail

by lisa Hassey
(california)

we have a 5 month old maltipoo and she recently started losing her hair around her hind legs, bum and tail area. she is fluffy every where else and it looks hilarious. she is starting to look like a mutt.

i am just wondering if this is something that i need to get her to the vet for. thanks.....





Hi Lisa
I'm afraid I really don't know the answer to this one.

Pups do shed quite a bit when they lose their baby coat and grow in their adult one, also seasonally twice a year.

But, you would expect the loss to be pretty uniform, rather than all in one place.

If she's scratching a lot, and seems itchy or the area of skin looks red, inflamed or 'bumpy', she could possibly have dog allergies of some sort.

I would recommend that you talk to your vet if this continues, just to make sure she doesn't have a skin condition or something similar.

Good luck, hope it sorts itself out soon.

14 wk Pomeranian with soft or loose stools and loss of appetite

by Anna
(San Antonio, TX)

I purchased a 14 wk old Pomeranian 3 days ago. She had her Parvo shot and was fine until late yesterday. She hasn't eaten at all today, has had some water, and looks like she doesn't feel too well. Her last meal was yesterday evening and she ate without incident.

She pooped 3-5 times this morning with a loose consistence but not watery. She still rolls in the grass when I take her out, but she has had 1 accident in her designated area of the house and she already shows that she likes a clean environment. She appears a little distressed at times, but has spurts of energy and wants to play and roll around especially in softer green grass. She has been trying to eat grass. What can I give her? I was told to give her a 1/2 - 1 teaspoon of plain yogurt with her food. What do you think?

I'm hoping it's just a combination of the vaccine, and maybe a little anxiety as she settles into her new home.




Hi Anna
It's always a bit tricky to decide what's going on in situations like this. Many puppies go through an adjustment period when they come into their new home, and they may lose their appetite and seem a bit sad or depressed. If they have also experienced a change in diet, they can also have some loose stools or diarrhea.

If your pup has had all 3 sets of puppy vaccinations, the she should be fairly well protected. However, if she's only had one or two sets of shots, she could still be at risk of catching a dog illness such as Parvo so you need to be extra vigilant here.

Check out my Bringing Home A New Puppy page to learn about the sort of reactions you may see during the first week or so of having your pup. However, if you are at all concerned about her health, or she seems to be getting worse, don't wait - take her to your veterinarian asap. Little puppies can get sick very fast, so don't take any chances.

Best of luck with your little girl. Hope she's feeling much better soon.

My sick chihuahua

by Brittany
(Panama City Florida)

Hello,
I have a 11 month old chi.
Unless I pick him up really easy he cries like I am hurting him, I have checked his body for cuts or anything that could hurt him and have found nothing.

Also he hasn't had a BM, when he does it's yellow and hardly a BM. He wont play anymore, he doesn't even come to the door to greet me. He just lays in bed shaking. His breath smells really bad.

At first i was thinking he was constipated, but now i have no idea?



Hi Brittany
I'm afraid I'm not a veterinarian and can't tell you what is wrong with your puppy, but it definitely sounds as though he is sick.

The fact that he won't play, or run around, and is shaking, means he is not feeling well at all. He could have a fever, or be in pain. It's impossible for me to tell.

Something is wrong, and he needs to see a veterinarian as soon as possible. Chihuahuas are very tiny dogs, and quite delicate. If they don't eat or drink regularly they can get dehydrated, or suffer from low blood sugar levels, both can be serious.

Constipation in puppies can occur, especially in the small breeds, but it doesn't have the symptoms that you describe. An infection or illness is more likely, or he may have ingested something that has caused a 'blockage' or made him ill.

Please take your little guy to a vet asap, so that he can get the correct diagnosis and any treatment he needs.

I wish you the best of luck and hope he's doig better soon. He's a cutie!

vomiting orange and cowering morning after 1st shots

by debra
(mccutchenville, ohio)

my puppy got her 1st shots yesterday and was tired and acting 'off', and then the morning after she vomited orange and acting like she is in trouble.

goes in her cage and lies. she has eaten and went potty ok. I also had given her a benydryl tablet yesterday. she gets car sick so after the vet about 3 hrs. after her shots we were going somewhere so I gave her a benydryl for car sickness but then we didn't take her.


Hi Debra
Many puppies have a reaction of some sort to their vaccinations. This can include lethargy, loss of appetite, diarrhea, low grade fever and so on. Vomiting is more unusual but it can happen.

Benadryl has a sedating effect, and can make a pup nauseous, so that combined with her vaccinations yesterday could explain her behavior. The fact that she's eating okay and has eliminated without problems are good signs.

Generally a severe allergic reaction includes generalized swelling, hives, or swelling of the head/face. Dizziness, lethargy and difficulty breathing can occur. These sort of effects usually appear within a very short time of having the vaccination.

I'm not a veterinarian, but I don't think your pups symptoms are cause for great concern. She will likely be back to normal within 24 hours. HOWEVER, if she doesn't get better quickly, seems to get worse, starts to have diarrhea or vomiting, or seems ill at all, get in touch with your vet right away. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

You can read more about vaccinations and common reactions to them on my puppy shots page.

Best of luck, hope your little girl is much better soon.

Major puppy aggression

by Natalie
(Mt. Prospect)

Hello!

I wrote this once about 4 days ago, but as I didn't get any notifications, I am assuming that something happened to my submission. I apologize if this is a double post, but I don't think it went through.

I've asked about my little Chihuahua family before and even specifically about my sole surviving pup Cocoa. She had shown some minor aggressive behavior early on - I mean as early as 2 weeks old - but everyone I asked pretty much assured me of the same thing - her mom would teach her her place and she should be fine.

Well, the little miss is now 12 weeks old and although she is a super cute little fluffball and we love her to pieces, she is a little demon.

Just a re-cap of her origin. I adopted a breeding pair of purebred 3 year old 4 1/2lb Chis where the female was already pregnant. We lost 2 pups at birth and one from failure to thrive at 11 days. Cocoa was the lone survivor and grew and thrived extra well. She had everyone's attention.

I started to notice that she would growl when you held her in the wrong way - not really sure what the "wrong" way was, as it changed from time to time. She would also growl and show aggressive tendencies toward her mom. This was even as early as 2 weeks old.

Now, she's majorly food aggressive and also still shows issues with being held the "wrong" way. We still haven't figured out what sets her off when she's held.

Basically, she acts like she's always had to fight for food, where the opposite is the case. She behaves like a feral dog, looking for a meal. She also gets overly excited when food is near. She will steal food right out of her parents mouths, which doesn't please dad and he's been growling back lately. I don't blame him, really and I don't have any concerns about him as he's the sweetest thing on the planet, but he's sent Cocoa packing yelping all the way. Mom tries to put Cocoa in her place, but she's a fiesty little peanut and fights right back. It won't be too long before Cocoa will have the upper hand.

Cocoa has upset the balance between mom and dad. They have always been together and have the sweetest relationship. They would be inseparable before the baby, but now there's even tension between them. It's sad, as they really love each other and look to each other for comfort.

I love Cocoa and we are always cuddling her and try to teach her manners. If she growls at me or bites me, I never back down. I don't ever let her get away with bad behavior and will always make sure that she's back to being calm and sweet before I let her go. I work with her a lot. I feed her treats from my hand as to teach her that I'm the one giving the food. I don't let her go and hide with treats, as she gets really aggressive then. I pet her continuously when she gets treats, even if she tries to bite. I always win, but it's getting tiresome to have to worry about her behavior. She bites my daughter and has drawn blood. My boys avoid her.

It's just sad, as we've been nothing but kind to her and were so excited that she survived and have loved her from the beginning. She's so cute and cuddly and half the time she's sweet and loving. It's like Jekyl and Hide with her and you never know when she will go off. Then she'll be all kisses and loving and so pleased to be near you.

I'm worried that we can't control her as she gets bigger and she's disrupting our older Chis peace and harmony. It's so confusing as aren't dogs usually very much like their parents? Isn't that why people always want to know how the parent's disposition and character is? Cocoa's mom and dad are sweetness personified. They wouldn't hurt a fly. They're submissive, calm and mindful. You could take the food out of their mouths and they would thank you for it. It's just very perplexing why Cocoa is the way she is. Maybe that's why she survived - she's nothing but strength and has a lot of fight in her.

Any suggestions? I don't want to give her up - we made a commitment and would hate to see her go after all we've been through with this litter. We love her to pieces and I know there's a sweetheart in there, under all that bravado.

Thanks!

Natalie




Hi Natalie
I remember your earlier posts and questions, and the photos of Coco. Sorry that you seem to have 'lost' a post somewhere, but I'll try to answer this one as best I can.

It definitely sounds as though you've got a little ball of fire there, and you're right to be concerned about getting her attitude under control while she's young. Most often puppies do have temperaments that are similar to a parent, or a combination of the two. Sometimes aggression or fearful behavior is congenital, other times situational, and with Coco it sounds as though this is more about her individual personality than her parents'. The fact that she hasn't had any siblings to battle with and has been loved very generously also likely plays a part.

Food aggression can easily escalate into generalized possessiveness which can lead to guarding and biting and so on. Not what you want. I have never owned a Chihuahua myself so don't have personal experience there, but I know that small breeds often have huge egos and can be very combative!

Personally I would resort to only feeding her by hand for a while (and let everyone in the family take it in turns). This way she HAS to associate her food with your hands and realize that humans are the providers in her life. It also prevents her from being able to guard a food bowl etc.

You're doing the right thing by refusing to back down when she growls or snaps, and should continue with that. Holding her little muzzle closed firmly but gently, combined with a firm "NO BITE" every single time she snaps will reinforce this. You will need to be very consistent and patient with this though.

Her dad has the right idea and is stepping up to put her in her place, eventually her momma may do the same, and it's important that her humans let her know that she is NOT in charge.

I would recommend that you enroll her in a basic puppy obedience class as she needs to spend time with other pups and you'll both benefit from having the input of a professional trainer who can see what is going on. She's not the first pup to act this way and won't be the last, and trainers have usually 'seen it all' and can help you work through this. Hopefully if you are consistent and patient with her she will improve as she grows older. Best of luck.... the journey is just beginning!

Is it ok to cut/shave shih-pooh hair?

by Alexie
(Philippines)

Got a 6mo old shih-poo pup and had it shaved because of matted hair.

I am kinda worried about her hair if it would grow back? Is shaving ok for my pup?



Hi Alexie
If a pups' hair is matted down to the skin, shaving is usually the only option. I know it can look very severe at first, but the hair will grow back given time.

When a pup is shaved it has no protection from heat or cold, so don't allow her out in an extremes of temperature.

To make sure that this doesn't happen again, groom her regularly as soon as her hair starts to grow back. You can find tips on this on my Dog Grooming page.

Best of luck.

My Papillon Yelps when I touch her neck

My papillon just started yelping and trying to warn me when I touch her neck - at least I think it's her neck. I can play with her ears and all is fine. Her ears are down and now she doesn't want me near her.

This just came on all of a sudden. No warning. She was playing fine 20 minutes ago. What should I look for? When should I take her in to be seen? She didn't want a treat or play with her toys. That is HUGE.

We took her for a long walk today and she did pull on the harness a lot today.




Hi
If she's walked a fairly long way today and pulled on her harness, and has been playing hard too, she may just have strained or pulled a muscle in her neck or shoulders, and that's why she's yelping.

She's scared because it hurts and she doesn't understand why, and that's why she doesn't want you near her or to touch her. That's normal.

I would suggest giving her a few hours and see what happens. Don't try to pet her or play etc., just let her do whatever she wants and she will relax.

If it doesn't seem to bother her when she's walking, lying, sitting and so on, she probably hasn't done any serious damage. But if she seems to be holding her head strangely, walks differently or seems stressed (panting, pacing, general anxiety etc.), then it could be something more serious.

In the first instance, I would try tomorrow to pet her and see if things have improved, if so all is well. If not, take her to your vet. And in the second instance, she needs to be seen by a vet right away. If she's damaged her neck in any way, you want to make sure to prevent it from getting worse.

Hope this helps put your mind at rest. Best of luck with her.

Diarrhea

by Terri
(Indianapolis, IN)

My pup is 5 months old and we've had her for 2 weeks. She needs to go poo more than any pup I've ever had and it's very loose. I know that loose stools are very typical for pups but she's going 5 and 6 times a day and sometimes, it's not just loose, it's nearly liquid.

There's been no change to her diet, she gets no treats so that can't be the cause. There's been no loss of appetite either so I don't know if I should be concerned or not.




Hi Terri
I'm afraid I'm not a veterinarian, so I can't make a professional judgment. In my personal opinion, although what you're describing doesn't sound as though it's cause for serious concern at this point, it also isn't what I'd consider 'normal'.

You haven't changed her diet, but it could be that she is sensitive to an ingredient (or several ingredients) in the food you are giving her. I'd suggest SLOWLY changing over to a food specifically designed for dogs with food sensitivities/allergies. You can find a selection of these on my Dog Food Allergies page.

There are also natural supplements that you can give her which help to balance the digestive system, and are often helpful in this sort of situation. You can learn more about these on my Natural Remedies for Dogs page.

As long as she seems happy and healthy right now, except for this issue, I would try the above suggestions first. However, if you don't see any improvement within 4 - 6 weeks, I would take her to your veterinarian for a check up.

Hope this helps. Best of luck with your puppy.

pitt puppy mix rash on head

by sarah
(columbia sc)

We rescued a 2 week old maybe pitt mix about 4 weeks ago he recently got a rash behind his ears that has spread to his entire head.

They are small bumps that will bleed if washed or picked and it seems to be itchy for him.




Hi Sarah
This could be an allergy of some sort, but I think it's more likely that it is mange.

Mange is caused by tiny skin mites, and it often shows up as a rash on the face/muzzle which may be itchy. Patchy hair loss or thinning of hair in the same areas might also occur.

It's easily treated by your veterinarian, with either special shampoos or dips. However, if it's left untreated it will probably spread and become severe, and very uncomfortable for your puppy.

Your vet can diagnose mange by taking a small skin scraping (it doesn't hurt your dog), and looking at it under a microscope. I'd recommend taking your pup to see your vet asap.

Best of luck with your puppy.

siberian husky 4 months old puppy difficulty drinking

bought him about 3 weeks ago and he has a problem when drinking water.

Every time she drinks water she hold her head up and swallow like it's hard for her to drink then you could see her stomach moving.



Hi
You don't mention whether or not your pup has difficulty when eating too. There are certain conditions which affect the esophagus and cause a dog to have difficulty chewing and swallowing, and often cause them to regurgitate food.

Other things such as problems with the nerves that control the action of swallowing, neurological problems or other issues could also be to blame.

I would definitely recommend that you have your veterinarian give your pup a thorough check up to rule out any underlying health issues. If he does find a problem, the earlier it's diagnosed and treated the better.

Difficulty swallowing can lead a dog to aspirate (breath rather than swallow) food or liquids and this can cause pneumonia which is life-threatening.

Of course, I'm not a veterinarian and I haven't seen what your dog is doing, it may be something much simpler, but it's always better to be safe than sorry. So, please have your vet take a look at your pup. Best of luck.

My puppy has a chunk of blood in his poop..

by Kassie
(76652)

I had 8 puppies and 2 of them got really skinny and died in a matter of weeks.. i got rid of 3 of them and kept two and my female got really sick and skinny and I wormed them all.

And then i called the vet and told them that she was eating great and she just looked bad and they told me it was worms so i wormed them again.. she died the next morning.. now my male i went and got his puppy shot and he still eats and he still looks great not skin and bones like she was but his poop is VERY runny like water runny and it had a chunk of blood in it.. the signs the other puppies had was distemper so we looked it up and it was caused from the mom not having her shots..

so we went and got the male puppies and he just looks so sad and he just wants to cuddle all the time.. he eats perfect but his poop is just not right plz help




Hi Kassie
I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time with your puppies. I'm afraid I'm not a veterinarian though and I can't really say what is wrong with them.

However, if the momma dog wasn't up to date on her shots, she could have been sick and passed it onto her pups. But I doubt it was Distemper, otherwise she would likely have died and your veterinarian would have picked up on it.

There are several contagious dog illnesses that your puppies could have caught, but you've taken a step in the right direction with vaccinating the remaining puppy.

Only your veterinarian can make a diagnosis as to what is wrong with this puppy, in terms of the diarrhea, and I would strongly recommend that you get him a full examination as soon as possible. He may need medication/treatment.

Don't use over the counter products for worms, parasites, or other conditions. They are generally not very effective and can have unwanted side effects.

I wish you the best of luck with this puppy, but he needs veterinary attention so that you can figure out what is going on with him.

My puppy got a distemper shot today and is in pain at the injection site. Is this noramal?

by Krystal
(Illinois)

My puppy got a distemper shot today and it is swollen at the injection site and when you pick her up she cries because it is painful there.

Is this normal?




Hi Krystal
Yes, this is fairly common. A lump or swelling at the site of the vaccination often occurs, and it can be painful for a few days, the lump itself may remain for several weeks though.

Other mild reactions include loss of appetite, low grade fever, and tiredness. These also only last a day or two in most cases.

There are more severe reactions which are occasionally seen, and these include swelling of head/face, hives all over the body, dizziness, difficulty breathing, or collapse.

If a serious reaction happens, it's usually within a few minutes of the shot, so I don't think you have anything to worry about.

Check out my Puppy Shots page for more info.

Best of luck with your puppy.

My mini doxin is not eating very much

by Kathy
(New York)

My 10 month old Mini Doxin puppy is not eating very much, and his urine is dark yellow. It started about a week ago, but it seemed to get better so i have not taken him to the vet yet. I am planning to bring him to the vet tommorrow, as today is Sunday but since he has not ate much since yesterday and i noticed his urine was dark yellow again i figured i would do try to get some information on line.

He is still playing and does not appear sick, but i noticed he had a few sniffles today. He has had most of his shots, but is behind on a few.

Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated.




Hi Kathy
I'm not a vet I'm afraid so I can't make a diagnosis as such, but it sounds as though there is something going on with your puppy.

The dark yellow urine could indicate dehydration, and I'd suggest that you make sure he gets as much water as possible.

If he's not totally up to date on all his puppy shots he could have caught one of the common, contagious dog illnesses that puppies are prone to.

Luckily it doesn't sound as though he is really sick, so hopefully whatever it is turns out to be minor. However, don't take any chances. Make sure that he sees the veterinarian on Monday, and that way you will get a professional diagnosis and any treatment necessary.

Best of luck, hope the little guy is doing much better soon.

my puppy pooped 4 times in the house

by cheryl
(new york)

my puppy is 4 1/2 months old is up to date on all shots. he has been having loose bowels for a couple of weeks.

the vet put him on metronidazole. the minute he goes off it the loose stool returns. he has been de-wormed again. he is house broken but can't control this problem at night.

also the stool is slimy and smelly. during the day his bowels are normal. and i have already changed his food. help please?






Hi Cheryl
This is a bit of a mystery! Metronidazole is often used to treat parasitic type infections such as Giardia. If it helps the problem while he is on it, that would indicate that there is some sort of bacterial/parasitic infection. It often takes more than one round of the medication to cure these types of issues.

However, if his bowels are normal during the day (and by that I mean they don't look/smell the same and he has control over them), there may be something else going on.

Is he separated from you at night, or crated? Does he find this distressing? It's possible that there is an anxiety/emotional component in that case. There are natural products you can use to help if this is happening. But, if he was okay at night prior to developing his bowel problems, then that really shouldn't be a factor.

Changing his food to one specifically designed for dogs with dog food allergies or sensitivities, should help, but it could take some time for the effect of the old food to leave his system entirely.

I'm afraid I'm not a veterinarian, and I think another trip to the vet would be in order. He may need to try a different medication or treatment. Sometimes these types of issues just seem to linger for a while, but they do get resolved eventually.

Best of luck, hope your little guy is doing better soon.

Layla a 16 day old puppy has a runny nose and a matted eye. Is this serious or just a cold?

by Helena
(Picayune, Ms. USA)

Layla

It is a litter of 6, Layla is only 16 days old, So we are quite worried. She has started with a runny nose this evening and a matted eye. She is nursing normally.

Is this something to be alarmed about? Or is it a cold? Possible a upper respiratory infection? Is it safe to administer antibiotics to a puppy of only 16 days old?





Hi Helena
With such a young puppy, any sign of illness or infection can be serious. I'd definitely recommend that you have Layla examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Even a simple upper respiratory infection, could progress to something more sinister without treatment. Antibiotics can be given to a young pup like this, but only by a licensed veterinarian. Never give a puppy any over the counter, or human, medications.

Layla is adorable, and I hope that she is soon doing much better. As you have a litter of pups to take care of, you may be interested in my New Born Puppies and Puppy Development pages helpfu;.

Best of luck with your puppies.

why does my puppy keep being sick and shaking

by carleen zinzuwadia
(leicester)

my 8 week old staffordshire bull terrier and he's not yet had any injections. he's playful but just worried because he's being sick shortly after his food because he eats it too fast and he shakes.



Hi Carleen
Some puppies are very greedy and almost inhale their food, but it's not normal for a pup to vomit each time he eats. It could be that he has a problem with his palate or esophagus.

Shaking usually means stress or pain. Your pup may be in pain when he vomits, or feel stressed by it.

He really needs to be seen by your veterinarian as soon as possible, and also make sure that you get his "http://www.the-puppy-dog-place.com/puppy-shots.html">puppy vaccinations done then. It's very important for puppies to stay up to date with their shots, as otherwise they are at risk of several very serious (even fatal) dog illnesses

Please take your pup to the vet and tell him what issues he's having when he eats etc. Best of luck!

shaking /shivers

by Leesa
(wv)

My 3 almost 4 week old puppies constantly shake/shivers. Is this normal?





Hi Leesa
I'm not sure if you have one puppy or several, but if they're still with their momma and feeding normally etc., then they shouldn't be shaking or shivering. They may do that when you're handling them if they're not used to it, but otherwise no.

It could be that they're sick, or stressed, I'd definitely check with your veterinarian about this.

If you have a pup who isn't with it's momma at this age, and is in a new environment or situation, shaking and shivering would be a normal stress reaction. However, it shouldn't last that long.

I would strongly recommend having a vet check out your pup/s if this is an ongoing problem. Best of luck!

What could be wrong with my puppy?

by Lauren
(Swindon)

She's 9 weeks and a Border Collie. She seems fine in herself and very playful. She is also very hungry. But, she has for the past 10 days had diarrhea. It was getting slightly better but it now has come back worse. Today she has also started being sick. Twice.

We have tried not feeding her for 12 hours and switched her food. We have provided plenty of water but nothing seems to be working. She has had slight blood in her diarrhea, however we just put that down to her straining.

Whats wrong with her?

Please help.





Hi Lauren
I'm sorry to hear your puppy is having problems. I'm afraid I'm not a vet, and there are several possibilities for her digestive issues, but I can give you a few ideas and a personal opinion.

As this has been going on for quite some time, and your puppy is still playful and seems happy and healthy otherwise, the good news is that is unlikely to be Parvo or another serious illness such as Distemper.

However, recurrent diarrhea (and now with vomiting) is a serious concern as it can easily lead to dehydration in young puppies. This can cause real problems in itself. And of course, it's important to find the root cause of her diarrhea as it seems that it is not going to improve without treatment.

The blood you are seeing in her stools most likely indicates inflammation in her colon (colitis). This can be caused by bacterial or viral infection, parasitic infection, dog food allergies/intolerances or even just the irritation caused by chronic diarrhea.

As the 12 hour fast and a change of diet haven't helped, I would very strongly advise you to take your puppy to the vet as soon as you possibly can. She could have Giardia or Coccidia (both parasitic infections), a worm problem (pretty common in young puppies), or another condition that is causing her difficulties. Your vet is the only person who can make a definitive diagnosis and recommend the correct treatment.

Meanwhile, make sure she is getting enough fluids to combat any potential dehydration. You can add Gatorade or Pedialyte to her water.

I wish you the best of luck with her and hope that she is doing much better soon.

i think my puppy is sick

by dora
(brownsville)

He started to vomit a lot, then he start to cry a lot like he's in pain. He is just lying down and doesn't seem active.

what should i do? i'm very scared.



Hi Dora
It definitely sounds as though there's a problem.

It could possibly be an intestinal/bowel blockage as your puppy seems to be in pain and is vomiting.

Puppies are inclined to eat all kinds of things that they shouldn't and this can cause trouble if the object/s doesn't pass 'straight through'.

Of course, there are other possibilities, such as illness. Only a veterinarian can make an accurate assessment and diagnosis, so I strongly recommend that you get your puppy to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Young puppies are vulnerable and can get very sick, very fast, so it's definitely better to be safe than sorry. Please see a vet!

Best of luck, I hope he's feeling better soon.

My puppy is a very picky eater

Hello,

Me and my girlfriend are having a bit of trouble with our little 3 month old puppy. She is doing fine and all, just that she sleeps all day and doesn't want to eat.

We know she is hungry cause we gave her one of those edible bone treats and she finished it in minutes. Then she comes to us looking for another one. But when we try to give her puppy food she doesn't want it. We are frustrated and don't know what to do.

Do you have any suggestions or advice please?



Hi
I'm not sure how long you've had your puppy, but if she's just come into your home within the last week or so, this is probably just part of the normal adjustment period that puppies go through. You can find out more about this on my Bringing Home A New Puppy page.

However, if you've had her for several weeks, it could simply be that she's a naturally picky eater, many puppies are and it's particularly common with tiny and toy breeds.

Generally it's best not to give a picky eater treats or edible bones and such, as they will naturally prefer them and will satiate their tiny appetites with them, making them even less inclined to eat their kibble.

Your responsibility is to provide her with regular meals of a high quality puppy food, her responsibility is to eat them (or not!). Nature will not allow your pup to starve herself (unless she's actually sick and there's some underlying health issue at the root of the problem), and although she may not eat as much as you would like, she will eat enough to get by.

The biggest mistake you can make is to start to 'gussy up' her meals by adding broth, canned food, trying a different puppy kibble every week and so on. This only encourages her 'pickiness' and you can't keep it up indefinitely.

Just make sure that you are giving her a premium puppy food so that she is getting maximum nutrition from what she eats. Feed her twice or three times a day (depending on her breed/size. Tiny/toy breeds 3 times per day, large/giant breeds twice per day), and don't 'free feed' - ie leave her food bowl down all day. Just offer her it for 10 - 15 mins at mealtimes and then pick it up, even if she hasn't eaten.

If you do this and are patient she should soon start to eat better. If you are at all worried about her health, or she seems underweight or excessively lethargic, I'd strongly recommend that you have your veterinarian take a look at her to make sure there's not a health issue to blame. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

Best of luck with her!

my dog is vomiting foam and scratching her butt on the floor

Vomiting foam, drinks water but vomits again and scratches her butt while vomiting...



Hi
I'm afraid I can't tell you what is causing your dogs symptoms, but she needs to be seen by a veterinarian right away.

If she keeps vomiting and can't keep water down, then she is at the very least in danger of dehydration. These could be symptoms of several different dog illnesses but a lot depends on her age, what puppy vaccinations she's been given, any other symptoms and so on.

She may even have ingested something toxic.

The butt-scratching or scooting, often indicates the presence of worms or full anal sacs. Of course, it could be something entirely different, and may or may not be connected to the vomiting.

The only way to find out what is going on and get any necessary treatment is to take her to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Best of luck, hope she's doing better soon.