Shippo is Sick... AGAIN.

[Cheetah]

It seems that every time I turn around, Shippo's got some sort of digestive upset. This is getting so old... >-.-< I've NEVER had a dog with so many stomach problems!!

He had the runs on sunday, I took him to the vet monday, but he had stopped, so they didn't do much except tell me to keep an eye on him, and they didn't charge me for the visit since nothing happened. The next day, he had the runs again, despite my giving him meds (I tried imodium and kaopectate, and one of them usually works) and bland foods. I tried giving him NO food, but then he vomits up bile because his stomach is empty, yet he STILL has the runs. I'm at my wits end!!!

I don't know what could POSSIBLY be wrong with him. The same thing happened around the same time last year, and he has stomach problems randomly throughout the year, yet my other dog is fine. I'm taking a stool sample to the vet once they open and I can make another appointment. I would REALLY like to know what is wrong with him. I've had a fecal exam done before, and he came up negative for parasites of ANY kind. I don't think it's his food, because he eats it every day, and these upsets are completely random.

Sorry, just had to vent. I'm extremely frustrated because nothing adds up and nothing is making it better this time.

*Sits around waiting for the vet to open so she can miss work to spend money she doesn't have and won't make back since she's going to miss work*

[Merlincorgi]

So sorry to hear it... having just gone through this with Checkers I know how you are feeling. Hope the vet is able to give you an answer! I can't imagine going through this on a regular basis! (((Hugs))) to you and Shippo both!

[Cheetah]

Ugh... now he is vomitting bile...

It seems to be similar to your case, except for the blood and mucous... It has been on and off for like 3 days now. I'm unable to feed him anything because it just comes back out the other end. Also, he's not eating things he normally would. I had to SHOVE the yogurt into his mouth. Normally he eats it with gusto. He doesn't seem to be drinking water anymore... yesterday he was only sipping it. I'm going to the vet at 11:15, and I'm missing work.

I don't think my boss is too happy about that, but there's nothing I can do about it. I work at petsmart for god's sake... he should be a little bit more understanding. >-.-;<

I'm so frustrated... I want a PERMANENT solution... I'm so sick of this. >-.-<

[MissGambler's+Mojo'sMommy]

I wouldn't worry too much about the bile, you said that his tummy was empty because you hadn't been able to get him to eat. That only leaves bile to come back up. I sure hope that he feels better soon. It does seem as if Corgis tend to have sensitive tummies. (And by making this post, I did not mean that you shouldn't go to the vet, or get a vet's advice, that's always a must when you're unsure about anything.)

[corgimom]

Cheetah,

I feel your frustration, and I know it is expensive to run tests.

But there could be a remote chance that he has an inflamation of pancreatitis. I know Shippo is young, but it can still happen. You could just ask the vet and see what he says, but it does require a blood test to check for that. But I see that you mention that this has happened off and on, so I don't know. And a blood test would show how his liver is functioning.

Or it may just be that he got into something you are not aware about and his body is reacting to it; some rich type of food or something higher in fat? You can give Shippo Regular strength Pepcid AC - that would be 1/2 pill(5mg) of a 10 mg tablet - HOWEVER, please ask your vet if this is okay, and verify the dosage; as I don't like to give out medication doses, but I have done this with Cody and my past pem when they have had tummy upsets.

What were you offering him for the bland diet? And my only other suggestion for now would be to give him some plain pumpkin as that would help firm up the stool somewhat.
He may just have some type of inflammation going on.

Keep us posted and good luck.

[dcole]

Poor Shippo! Hope it's nothing and passes soon, but do take Linda's advice and ask your vet. Better safe than sorry!

Get well soon, Shippo!

[Cheetah]

I tried several things. Boiled rice, cottage cheese, yogurt (only a small spoonful at a time), oatmeal, and yes, pumpkin. All the pumpkin did was turn his runny poop into orange runny poop. For meds, I tried kaopectate and imodium. Neither did any good. I doubt another brand is going to make much difference either. I think I need something prescription.

I can't see how he could have gotten into anything, as he is either crated or x-penned when I am not home or sleeping. I watch him outside. But who knows. >-.-;<

How fresh does a stool sample need to be? I grabbed some this morning and sealed it in a ziploc baggie, but it was like 6 AM and the vet appointment isn't until 11:15.

[Merlincorgi]

Firstly, if he is vomiting (this is from my vet) don't try to feed him anything to start. The pumpkin, yogurt, etc is fine after the initial period, but to begin they want to clean out the system completely. My vet said 24 hours after the vomiting stops before feeding. Small amounts of water are okay IF your dog wants it. He did have us giving Checkers Pepcid AC (10mg) three times a day to coat the lining of the throat, etc so it doesn't get extra irritated.. but we had to use a much much stronger injectible to get the initial vomiting to stop, combined with a prescription pill once he could keep it down to prevent the vomitting from coming back, and another pill for the loose stuff at the other end. Don't worry if he's just throwing up bile, just means the tummy is empty and that is okay for right now. On our worst night Checkers was up litterally every hour and threw up bile two or three times each time he was up (was like walking through a mine-field the next morning until I could get it cleaned up.. thank goodness we don't have carpet in there!!). I'm sure the vet will have a lot better advice, but having JUST been through this I can share what my vet had us doing. Best wishes and let us know what the vet says!!

[Merlincorgi]

That sample should be fine... and if it isn't they can always shove a little scoop up there and get a fresh brand new sample in the office if they need it(sounds gross, is gross.. but it works).

[MissGambler's+Mojo'sMommy]

You never feed an upset tummy, whether a human or a dog, you are just feeding the fire, giving it more fuel to feed off of. If his tummy is already in bad shape, medicines such as Imodium(and I am familiar with that one because I keep it in my purse, I have a sensitive tummy, and I KNOW how strong that medicine is, it even makes me sleepy) his tummy may actually have been reacting to it, and not in the way that you wanted.

[MrsGrace]

Oh no!! Poor Shippo and Cheetah!!!

:(

Let us know what the Vet says please. You're in my thoughts.

[Cheetah]

So should I stop the meds as well? Not that they're making any sort of difference anyway, except for making him drowsy. Unfortunately, I gave him one early this morning, but I will just stop giving it.

Normally, they do make a difference. They're completely useless this time though...

So, even if he just continues to vomit bile over and over and over, should I just do nothing? I've gotten mixed messages from different vets. One told me to ALWAYS give water, no matter what, one told me to take the water up. He's not drinking water today anyway.

[MissGambler's+Mojo'sMommy]

I would totally stop the meds, unless the vet told you to give them. In my opinion, Imodium is way too strong for a dog. Like I said, it can put me to sleep. Also, Shippo has not been diagnosed yet, and if it it turns out that it is some sort of bacteria, then you wouldn't want to be stopping him up(Imodium), the bad stuff has to leave the system. Case in point, there was a mother who was on a trip with her son, he ate a hamburger that had the ecoli bacteria. She just thought he had an upset tummy, kept giving him medicine to stop it, but all she was doing was keeping the bad stuff inside, instead of the body's natural way of expelling it, her son died on the trip. The same applies to dogs, don't stop them up when it's something like this, it only makes it worse. Nature does know what it's doing, no matter how troublesome and gross.

[Cheetah]

Guess I won't be listening to any more vet techs when they tell me to try Imodium then...

[corgimom]

I tried several things. Boiled rice, cottage cheese, yogurt (only a small spoonful at a time), oatmeal, and yes, pumpkin. All the pumpkin did was turn his runny poop into orange runny poop. For meds, I tried kaopectate and imodium. Neither did any good. I doubt another brand is going to make much difference either. I think I need something prescription.

I can't see how he could have gotten into anything, as he is either crated or x-penned when I am not home or sleeping. I watch him outside. But who knows. >-.-;<

How fresh does a stool sample need to be? I grabbed some this morning and sealed it in a ziploc baggie, but it was like 6 AM and the vet appointment isn't until 11:15.


That stool sample will be fine- but from what my vet has told me, it is best to be refrigerated. And you could be right, he could have some infection that requires antibiotics and some prescription med to soothe his digestive tract. Do you know when his last blood test was?

[Cheetah]

Never. It's never gone this far before, so I've only gone as far as physicals and stool samples. He always got better after like 24 hours, and so I never ended up taking him back for tests. If they can't figure out what's wrong, I might be pushed to do it this time, but I'm not sure how I'll afford it honestly. This stuff always happens at the WORST times.

[corgimom]

I would totally stop the meds, unless the vet told you to give them. In my opinion, Immodium is way too strong for a dog. Like I said, it can put me to sleep. Also, Shippo has not been diagnosed yet, and if it it turns out that it is some sort of bacteria, then you wouldn't want to be stopping him up(Immodium), the bad stuff has to leave the system. Case in point, there was a mother who was on a trip with her son, he ate a hamburger that had the ecoli bacteria. She just thought he had an upset tummy, kept giving him medicine to stop it, but all she was doing was keeping the bad stuff inside, instead of the body's natural way of expelling it, her son died on trip. The same applies to dogs, don't stop them up when it's something like this, it only makes it worse. Nature does know what it's doing, no matter how troublesome and gross.

I agree with you here MGM. diarrhea is a way of expelling something making them sick; however, diarrhea/vomiting can be a symptom of a medical condition also; that is why I was wondering when his last blood work was especially since Cheetah said this has happend off and on but really can't pinpoint why.

[corgimom]

Never. It's never gone this far before, so I've only gone as far as physicals and stool samples. He always got better after like 24 hours, and so I never ended up taking him back for tests. If they can't figure out what's wrong, I might be pushed to do it this time, but I'm not sure how I'll afford it honestly. This stuff always happens at the WORST times.


I know it is expensive cheetah - depending on the test, could be $60-$100, but it is always good to have a baseline blood test - something you can compare to, for in the future if he might get sick; then you can see what his normal readings were - see what your vet thinks. I guess I would probably not recommend it if it were his First episode, but you mentioned this has happened several times.

[Cheetah]

I suppose I should have done something like that back when I had a good paying job. >-.-< This really sucks.

Ok, I'm going to go get dressed and get ready to go to the vet. I'll take the stool sample with me, and hopefully, it will do... I stupidly didn't think to refrigerate it. If they don't find anything, then I'll probably end up having a blood test done anyway. If they do find out what's wrong without taking blood, then I'll wait till he's healthy again and have a blood panel run (I always have money when I don't NEED to go to the vet, that's how it always works!).

And of course, no more imodium, no more food, depending on what the vet says. I'm fasting him anyway just in case.

[MissGambler's+Mojo'sMommy]

I would vote for a good blood work-up, just for piece of mind. You've gone through this a number of times, it would be cheaper to pay now,and possibly find the answer, then to keep paying. You may very well find out that it's nothing major, just a sensitive dog, but at least you will know.

[corgimom]

I suppose I should have done something like that back when I had a good paying job. >-.-< This really sucks.

Ok, I'm going to go get dressed and get ready to go to the vet. I'll take the stool sample with me, and hopefully, it will do... I stupidly didn't think to refrigerate it. If they don't find anything, then I'll probably end up having a blood test done anyway. If they do find out what's wrong without taking blood, then I'll wait till he's healthy again and have a blood panel run (I always have money when I don't NEED to go to the vet, that's how it always works!).

And of course, no more imodium, no more food, depending on what the vet says. I'm fasting him anyway just in case.


Good luck Cheetah, I will be pulling for you and Shippo and maybe it is just a "sensitive tummy" as has been suggested.

[Jespah]

I agree with MGM and Linda - all these meds for us and dogs to stop the diarrhea is for convenience - it has to come out, that's what our bodies are doing it for. Riley had a very sensitive tummy and was always having bouts of diarrhea, I never gave her meds - unless it was bedtime - and that was so she wouldn't have to go out in the night. Starve the bug, make sure he has water and then introduce small amounts of plain white rice - sometimes you can add a little chicken broth. Even if it's a little bug, his insides will be naturally irritated, so being gentle at first will help a lot. Once his tummy is back on track add yogurt with active cultures to add good bacteria to his tummy. Once he is back to normal, start adding a tablespoon of canned plain pumpkin to each meal - it's helped Jemma as she was a little prone to tummy issues as well and is now fine.

[CorgiMum]

How fresh does a stool sample need to be? I grabbed some this morning and sealed it in a ziploc baggie, but it was like 6 AM and the vet appointment isn't until 11:15.

I was told by the Vet Tech to just keep it sealed and in the fridge. I know for urine samples they prefer the first one iin the morning, I assume that for the stool sample it would be the same.

My understanding of not feeding the dog if there is vomiting, for one reason, is that if a test, or something of an emergency procedure needs to be done then the stomach should be empty.

Hope the Vet can figure out what is wrong on fix your little guy up fast. And yes, at Petsmart they should understand that you have to take him to the Vet.

[Denaluvscorgis]

I've heard that feeding pumpkin helps with this type of problem.:SMILE:

[MVons]

My two cents. Pepper had the tender tummy and we with held all food for ideally 24 hours. If I was weak at heart, and gave in on a meal after 18 hours, I'd give her 1/2 a peptobismol to coat the stomach for the 1/2 meal she would get. The meal would come up within an hour if her system wasn't ready to eat. Ideally the first meal was boiled ground beef which removes every drop of fat and some brown rice. If she kept that down, then the yogurt, pumpkin, etc. We had to feed Pepper the chicken and rice because her tummy couldn't handle the lamb.

Please get the blood work for kidney. With all the crap going on the dog food, you need peace of mind.

The other thing that struck me when I first read your post was that if this happens this time every year, it might be something in the yard. Different items pop up in the springtime.

Hope Shippo feels better soon.

Merrie

[Fluffypants]

Poor Cheetah and Shippo. I think the others pretty much have the advice covered, so I am just here for support. Please keep us posted on his progress - we are all routing for him.+WUBCLUB+

{{{{{{Cheetah}}}}}} {{{{{{Shippo}}}}}}

[MissGambler's+Mojo'sMommy]

Just to add here, we should all get a couple of those sealed plastic containers from the vet to have on hand in a situation like this. I keep a couple of them, but I miss the old film continers, they came in so handy, even for poop.

[MVons]

You can get old film canisters from photo developing places:SMILE:

Merrie

[MissGambler's+Mojo'sMommy]

Thanks for the advice, I've missed them since going digital few years back, they're great for crafts also.

[Cheetah]

Ok, Just got back from the vet, and Shippo has Cryptosporidium:
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&C=15&A=1927&S=0

No need for a blood test... it only ran me like $75. She gave me some horse pills, and I just got done FIGHTING with Shippo to take the stupid pill, because he won't eat ANYTHING, not even CHEESE, his favorite thing which I use only for pilling. So I got to shove little PIECES of the pill he spits out all over the place, back down his throat, complete with yelping, biting, squirming, screaming (all from him). He's NEVER been this hard to pill before!! UGH!!

But anyway, now we have meds, so he's going to be fine.

[Fluffypants]

OMG Cheetah! That sounds nasty! Poor Shippo!
Hugs & kisses from me & Jackie. +WUBCLUB+

[MrsGrace]

YAY! So glad you guys are on the mend!! keep us updated!!!

[corgimom]

Glad to hear that you did not need anything more. Can you coat the pill with peanut butter, would he lick that?

[mtoy]

Thank goodness you found out what was wrong with Shippo - Get well soon!!!!

[Cheetah]

Glad to hear that you did not need anything more. Can you coat the pill with peanut butter, would he lick that?

No, he's being a picky little #*$#% because he's sick... this is the first time he's EVER not accepted any food. >-.-< I should have taken him to the vet yesterday, but I was STUPID and didn't. Waiting a day has caused him to be worse and not want food at all. *kicks self*

[ZdogZ]

I hope Shippo gets to feeling better soon. Poor guy!

[CorgiMum]

Poor Shippo!

Hope the meds work quickly for your little guy, and thanks for sharing that link with us, very scary indeed.+SAD+

[corgimom]

No, he's being a picky little #*$#% because he's sick... this is the first time he's EVER not accepted any food. >-.-< I should have taken him to the vet yesterday, but I was STUPID and didn't. Waiting a day has caused him to be worse and not want food at all. *kicks self*


Okay, well, don't kick yourself - sometimes we wait a day to see if things clear up. I would imagine it is lots of fun to get that pill down since he won't eat anything. So they checked his stool and determined it was the thing you posted - so the other times he was ill with the similar symptoms, it was something else? just an upset tummy?

[Denaluvscorgis]

Awwww poor Shippo!! I'm glad that you found out what is wrong and that he will get better soon. (((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))) to Shippo.+WUBCLUB+

[Dillydoodle]

I am just catching this whole thing now, i am so sorry to hear he was feeling so sickly! what he has is what my smallest cat had when i first brought her home, we had loose runny stools for a month before any vet finally figured out what it was and treated her. She was fine within a few days of getting some pills. Pilling the cats is always a disaster but my dogs are relatively easy to pill... sorry you are having a hard time with shippo... have you tried something like peanut butter or even a tiny bit of butter on the pill, helps it slide down easier.. toss it back hold the muzzle closed and massage the throat... good luck pilling, and i wish him a speedy recovery!

Emilie

[dcole]

Wow, that sounds nastry! Sure glad your vet figured out what was wrong. Heal up quick, Shippo! +WUBCLUB+

[MissGambler's+Mojo'sMommy]

Glad that the vet visit is over and that things are getting back to normal. As for the pills, have you tried a pill shooter, that's what I use, just a few dollars at the vet or pet store?

[Lauren]

Poor Shippo, glad to hear he's getting back on his feet :)

[corgimom]

Glad that the vet visit is over and that things are getting back to normal. As for the pills, have you tried a pill shooter, that's what I use, just a few dollars at the vet or pet store?


Could not live without the pill shooter - especially with the cats.

[Cheetah]

Well normally, I can roll the pill up in a little ball of cheese and he'll just inhale it. My problem this time was that he was feeling bad enough that he DID NOT want the cheese, or anything for that matter. Peanut butter would not have made a difference either.

I'm home from work now though, and he was hungry. The vet gave me some bland canned prescription food, and he ate that really fast. It's thick enough that I might try putting the pill in a chunk of it.

He was able to hold it while I was at work and still doesn't have to go. I did end up trimming back his pants earlier, so now he has "shorts" lmfao..

[CorgiMum]

That's really good that he was hungry and wanted to eat. Hope he able to hold it and his little body process well.

This is the method that I use when Dylan doesn't get fooled by the pill-in-the-cheese method:

Gently pry your dog’s mouth open by holding your hand over the bridge of his nose and exerting pressure with the thumb on one side and your middle finger on the other side. Place the pill on the back of your dog’s tongue. Hold his mouth closed and point his nose upward. While gripping his muzzle, stroke your dog’s throat downward until he swallows the pill.

Some people also blow into their dog’s nose while stroking his throat.

[Cheetah]

That's what I did, except he gagged and bit down on my thumb, and the pill came back up before I could close his mouth, so he bit it in half and flung it everywhere, so I tried again and he shook his head around violently and foamed at the mouth while I held his mouth closed... >X.x;< Unfortunately, things don't always go by the book. I don't ever want to do that again... I'm gonna go look for a pill gun for emergencies lol...

[Artos]

Any way of pulverizing the pill and blending it with some liquids....sucking that up in a BIG syringe and shooting it (slowly) through the side of his closed mouth? I have to do that with Trax each day to get him to take his pills. Its either that or I will get bitten by him for fooling around his mouth area.....

[Cheetah]

they do make pill crushers... maybe I'll get both LMFAO...

In the meantime, stinky little canned food balls (with hidden pill) are a big hit now! He INHALED them!

[MVons]

Thank you for the link, wow and to see a city close by mentioned, I had no idea. Your Vet was good to be able to diagnose this. So glad they did, but sorry to hear the pill battles. Canned food is a godsend for making the pill treat balls for them to "catch". Pepper's tongue was quicker moving than me holding her mouth closed.

I've never heard of the pill shooter and will want to check it out too. Hesitate on crushing a pill before checking with the Vet. Sometimes there is a coating on the pill so it will make it to the intestine to be absorbed instead of the stomach, or the pill is to be time released.

Merrie

[Dillydoodle]

also sometimes the protective coating on the pill makes it so it doenst taste sooo awful, Ka-sea the persian would FOAM at the mouth and drool everywhere while giving her a half of one pill she had to take for a week... apparently the cut side of the pill let her taste it, and worse she refused to swallow so we would have to sit there for 2 minutes until it disolved enough and she would swallow it, oh she hated that, her eyes would water, her mouth would water, it was terrible. I have a pill shooter that i used for my cat misty for her daily antibiotics and oh lord, that can still be a chore, though as she was an expert as cheeking the pill and then spitting it out after i let go... the best part of the pill popper is that your finger is not in their mouth so if they bite down, they bite on plastic, not your finger.

Emilie

[Cheetah]

This one doesn't have a coating, unfortunately. >X.x;<

Well, his stools appear to be firming up. It was dark outside when I took him out, so I couldn't see a darned thing, but there is nothing left over on what remains of his pants lol...

Canned food balls continue to be a big hit lmfao!

[Fluffypants]

Well, his stools appear to be firming up. It was dark outside when I took him out, so I couldn't see a darned thing, but there is nothing left over on what remains of his pants lol...


In our house - that gets a GREAT BIG CHEER!!!!

YAY SOLID POOP!!!!!:LAUGH:

[bunnybutts]

Poor Shippo! That parasite description sounds like a really nasty bug +SAD+

when Em was sick I had to give her pills everyday for couple of months. The easiest way I found was a big glob of peanut butter, stick the pill in the middle of it, open their mouth and stick the peanut butter to the roof of their mouth.

Hope he's all better soon {{{{healing vibes}}}}

[LaRositaMonita]

When Mitzie was taking about a dozen pills a day we used to give them to her hidden in little bitty morsels of cream cheese. Never had a problem!