My dog is under the weather

[soocool]

Of course, one of the hottest days of the year and he has a tummy problem. Threw up a few times last night (tummy was somewhat empty) so I am witholding food today to give his tummy a rest. He is acting fine, but doesn''t want to drink. I have been giving him an ice cube to lick about every half hour and keeping him indoors in a cool house. Should I worry about him getting dehydrated? should I encourage him to drink water or just keep giving him ice cubes?

 

[Yimmers]

Awwww, poor dog

I can''t give advice, but hopefully Mr. Dog will feel better soon.

 

[TooPatient]

Awww. So sad.

I''d be worried about him getting dehydrated. You said it is a hot day so he will need more water. Even in a cool house he needs to stay hydrated. (air conditioning really dehydrates me and I''m sure it is the same for animals)


Is he still throwing up?

 

[gemgirl]

I know with my two, being that they''re outside enjoying the yard so much, they sometimes eat things they shouldn''t, like leaves, grass and anything else that catches their eye. Do you think he ate something that didn''t agree with him?

Mine have done that before and have made themselves sick on occasion. I always call the Vet to describe what they''re going through, just to be sure. I''m not sure that purposely withholding food is a good idea, and yes I would keep him hydrated. I put some fresh pressed apple cider in their water to encourage my furbabies to drink. Why not give your Vet a call. They will likely say to give it 24 hrs. and then bring him in if he''s not better, but I would call anyway.

 

[lilyfoot]

Date: 6/23/2010 2:07:18 PM
Author: gemgirl
I know with my two, being that they're outside enjoying the yard so much, they sometimes eat things they shouldn't, like leaves, grass and anything else that catches their eye. Do you think he ate something that didn't agree with him?

Mine have done that before and have made themselves sick on occasion. I always call the Vet to describe what they're going through, just to be sure. I'm not sure that purposely withholding food is a good idea, and yes I would keep him hydrated. I put some fresh pressed apple cider in their water to encourage my furbabies to drink. Why not give your Vet a call. They will likely say to give it 24 hrs. and then bring him in if he's not better, but I would call anyway.

I have to agree. Well, I suppose it depends on how long you've been witholding the food?

White rice and boiled chicken are good for upset doggie stomach's. If you can get him to drink more water, that would probably be good. Otherwise, I would try to at least give him a bit of the rice and chicken, and/or wet food.

ETA: You can also soften his kibble up by mixing it with a bit of warm water.

 

[missydebby]

ahhh, best wishes *hugs*

 

[Puppmom]

I agree that withholding food may not be the best idea. My dog has a sensitive belly and, unless he''s sick, ONLY throws up when he has an empty belly. We''ve found that the gap between his meals is too long and we give him a *snack* before dinner and no more throwing up! If your dog didn''t throw up food but instead it was bile etc., I would feed him. Feeding him may also encourage him to drink. My dog''s not a big drinker unless he''s just eaten or has been outside in the heat. I would also worry more about dehydration if he had diarrhea.

I hope he feels better soon.

 

[soocool]

Date: 6/23/2010 2:06:40 PM
Author: TooPatient
Awww. So sad.

I'd be worried about him getting dehydrated. You said it is a hot day so he will need more water. Even in a cool house he needs to stay hydrated. (air conditioning really dehydrates me and I'm sure it is the same for animals)


Is he still throwing up?

He hasn't thrown up since 7 am. It is now almost 2:30 pm here.

I usually withold food the 1st 24 hours to give his a belly a rest. This evening I may give some some white rice, but will wait to give him some boiled chicken tomorrow.

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Our older dog has an extremely sensitive stomach, so I definitely feel your pain, soocool. We do the same thing: fast for 24 hours, then introduce boiled protein and rice. If I feel like dehydration is an issue, I usually offer him ice. My dog can''t resist licking ice.

The good news is that it''s just vomit and not diarrhea, so you don''t have to worry about something like giardia. Hopefully this is just a mild bacterial infection and he''ll get over it soon. If it persists for more than 24 hours, that''s when I usually call the vet.

 

[soocool]

Just spoke with the vet and he agreed to withold food for full 24 hrs. Said only rice tomorrow and do chicken and rice on Friday, then reintroduce normal diet slowly.

He said it is good to give one ice cube every 15 minutes as long as he is holding it down (no he doesn''t swallow it whole) if he doesn''t want to drink to keep him hydrated. Also if needed I can wet him down to keep him cooler.


Sorry, but sometimes I think I worry too much when he isn''t well because he can''t tell me what is bothering him.

Thanks for the feedback!!

 

[TooPatient]

Date: 6/23/2010 2:37:29 PM
Author: soocool
Just spoke with the vet and he agreed to withold food for full 24 hrs. Said only rice tomorrow and do chicken and rice on Friday, then reintroduce normal diet slowly.

He said it is good to give one ice cube every 15 minutes as long as he is holding it down (no he doesn''t swallow it whole) if he doesn''t want to drink to keep him hydrated. Also if needed I can wet him down to keep him cooler.


Sorry, but sometimes I think I worry too much when he isn''t well because he can''t tell me what is bothering him.

Thanks for the feedback!!

I don''t think you worry too much for him. It is hot outside and he isn''t drinking. Worrying about dehydration is good.

 

[lilyfoot]

Date: 6/23/2010 2:37:29 PM
Author: soocool
Just spoke with the vet and he agreed to withold food for full 24 hrs. Said only rice tomorrow and do chicken and rice on Friday, then reintroduce normal diet slowly.

He said it is good to give one ice cube every 15 minutes as long as he is holding it down (no he doesn''t swallow it whole) if he doesn''t want to drink to keep him hydrated. Also if needed I can wet him down to keep him cooler.


Sorry, but sometimes I think I worry too much when he isn''t well because he can''t tell me what is bothering him.

Thanks for the feedback!!

Hun, you''re not worrying too much. The only thing I don''t like about dogs is that they can''t tell you what''s wrong when they don''t feel well (so we can fix it!!)

I hope your little one starts feeling better soon!

 

[Puppmom]

I don''t think you''re worrying too much! We love our dogs and they can''t tell us they feel like crap so we have to pick up on their signals. You''re good dog mom!

 

[yssie]

I hope he feels better soon soocool!

 

[bee*]

Date: 6/23/2010 2:10:15 PM
Author: lilyfoot

Date: 6/23/2010 2:07:18 PM

Author: gemgirl

I know with my two, being that they're outside enjoying the yard so much, they sometimes eat things they shouldn't, like leaves, grass and anything else that catches their eye. Do you think he ate something that didn't agree with him?


Mine have done that before and have made themselves sick on occasion. I always call the Vet to describe what they're going through, just to be sure. I'm not sure that purposely withholding food is a good idea, and yes I would keep him hydrated. I put some fresh pressed apple cider in their water to encourage my furbabies to drink. Why not give your Vet a call. They will likely say to give it 24 hrs. and then bring him in if he's not better, but I would call anyway.

I have to agree. Well, I suppose it depends on how long you've been witholding the food?


White rice and boiled chicken are good for upset doggie stomach's. If you can get him to drink more water, that would probably be good. Otherwise, I would try to at least give him a bit of the rice and chicken, and/or wet food.


ETA: You can also soften his kibble up by mixing it with a bit of warm water.

Withholding food is normally one of the first thing your vet will suggest if your dog has been vomiting. 12-24 hours is the correct length of time to fast them for. If your dog doesn't vomit in the meantime, then try him on some bland food (little and often, rather than a bigger meal). If he vomits again after that, I'd bring him to your vet just so they can check him out.

ETA-just saw that you rang your vet. Well done on being a diligent owner!

 

[Autumnovember]

I would give him ice cubes until he is ready to drink...I''m sure he will be ok

My dog isn''t a large dog and they tend to get weirdo problems like this all the time. She''s really sensitive to anything and everything but if she isn''t drinking water, I just give her ice cubes.