new roommate- update

Well, three days in and so far so good. Sort of. Excellent behavior, no food bowl aggression, listens well, but, he seems to have some health issues today. When he first arrived, quite active. Ate dry food like a vacuum cleaner, indulged in puppy play with the boxer. Today, very lethargic, has diarrhea, just seems to want to lay in the sun. Quite an abrupt change. Possibly due to the new food? Can't go to a real vet for a few more days. ($$$) Any advise? Thanks, I likes my Red! I am praying that it's not heartworms or some other fatal affliction.

Our second cat (the one that adopted us) had something similar yesterday - he started throwing up all over the floor and generally was very lethargic. I think he just overindulged on the food for a little while and now that he's back to eating normally he's fine.

I'd just keep an eye on him, maybe the sensation of your "all you can eat" dog buffet just caused him to overeat.

BoxheadTim wrote: Our second cat (the one that adopted us) had something similar yesterday - he started throwing up all over the floor and generally was very lethargic. I think he just overindulged on the food for a little while and now that he's back to eating normally he's fine. I'd just keep an eye on him, maybe the sensation of your "all you can eat" dog buffet just caused him to overeat.

What he said. See what happens when you go from starving to AYCE buffet.

I've got my two year old dog eating twice a day. Works fine for her. Keep an eye out for the typical puppy aliments, including Parvo. I hate to bring it up, but it's better safe than sorry. My pound-sourced dog was exposed, but pulled through after a scary weekend of lethargy and unwillingness to eat.

He's just laying in the back yard, hardly breathing. I'm concerned about the possibility of poison. It just came on so fast. I just hope he makes it until tomorrow. Doesn't look good right now.

When I brought my dog home, I cleaned up puke all over my carpets and liquid poo all over the kitchen. It was awful. Give it a day or two. The pup will be fine. Its the change in diet that the dogs body is adjusting to. If it doesnt clear up soon, look into it some more.

Oh crud . Hope he makes it.

Thanks all. News as it happens.

cwh wrote: Well, three days in and so far so good. Sort of. Excellent behavior, no food bowl aggression, listens well, but, he seems to have some health issues today. When he first arrived, quite active. Ate dry food like a vacuum cleaner, indulged in puppy play with the boxer. Today, very lethargic, has diarrhea, just seems to want to lay in the sun. Quite an abrupt change. Possibly due to the new food? Can't go to a real vet for a few more days. ($$$) Any advise? Thanks, I likes my Red! I am praying that it's not heartworms or some other fatal affliction.

Sorry, I missed the background, where'd he come from? How old?

Does the diahrrhea have an almost "sweet" smell? Is it almost yellowish brown?

Are there visible "rice grains" in the poop? Does his belly feel swelled up?

// Volunteers with a rescue

Came from the street. Scarred up like he had been a training dog for fighting. Appears to be about 6 months old, 50# pit mix. Poop did not have a distinct smell, choco;ate brown, and I'm the one that cleaned it up. Looked like chewed up solid dog food, no moving critters. Belly did swell up until he let out some collossal wet farts. (That was fun at 2:00AM in my bedroom) Latest update is that he is much better now. Way more active. Seems to have turned the corner. I am so happy, he has worked his way into my heart like only a rescued dog can do. I thank all my dear friends here for their concern. I'm such a wussy! A friend of ours that is a real dog guy came over and immediately said it was not Parvo. He is unfortunately well experienced at that. Anything of consequence will be posted here.

Agree on the gas from a big trip to the buffet. Glad he's perked up!

If it happens again, you can give Pepto http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/diarrhea.htm

Wet dog farts are only funny if your grandmother is in the room.

Good luck with the new fella.

We had a farting whippet on the 5hr drive yesterday - so glad it was a warmer day and we could open the car windows.

Happy to hear barky's doing better. Wifey and I have a soft spot for pit and possible pit mixes. Our Kama is a possible pit mix (we were told lab/boxer, but...) and she's the best dog ever. Ever.

Our neighbor, the dog guy, has hooked us up with a pit rescue group. Because we do not want to give up the dog to them, they have comped us a full check up at a good vet's office. That happens Tuesday. Red is doing very well now, running with the boxer, full-on puppy play, woke me up this morning with a massive face washing.

Intestinal upset is not uncommon with a new food, especially with all kinds of new stimulus in the environment. If you haven't already, feed them twice a day rather than leave food out all day. Take up any food that hasn't been eaten after 30 minutes. I feed my guys in their crates. They get some quiet time with no need to defend their food from the other dogs or the cats.

Eating at predictable times means pooping at predictable times. He may have worms, but the vet will check for that on Tuesday. If you can, grab a fresh poop of his and take it with you to the vet, that way they won't have to go in after it.

Glad to hear he's back to his normal goofy self.

And good on you for taking him in. I've always had a soft spot for rescue dogs, and I recently discovered my weakness for Pits. They're such awesome dogs.

I have never liked pits. Have had some bad experiences with them, read about attacks, etc. Did not want anything to do with this one. Now I see the other side of the breed. Absolute sweetheart. Have to find a way to get him to stop begging at the table, though. Has a very effective, bass, bark.

Well, just back from his first Vet check up. Apparently 10 months old, or so. 47 pounds. Overall in very good condition, was very good with the lady Vet. Got his Parvo and de-worming meds. Will get his rabies shot shortly. He travels in the car very well. We were warned that the worms will be coming out and it will be gross. His paperwork now says Rhodesian Ridgeback Mix- nod, nod, wink, wink. He's a pit. Go to animal control tomorrow to get the paperwork for the neutering. Sorry, Red, gotta do it.

Damn, can't get the pic to load.

cwh wrote: Go to animal control tomorrow to get the paperwork for the neutering. Sorry, Red, gotta do it.

Indeed. Aside from rescuing him. that's the most humane thing you can do to an animal.

Meanwhile, he'll wake up and say to you "hey--did you see my nuts somewhere??? I could've sworn I just had them!"

That's all good news. Update with a p... I see you have done that.

gamby wrote:

cwh wrote: Go to animal control tomorrow to get the paperwork for the neutering. Sorry, Red, gotta do it.

Indeed. Aside from rescuing him. that's the most humane thing you can do to an animal. Meanwhile, he'll wake up and say to you "hey--did you see my nuts somewhere??? I could've sworn I just had them!"

I prefer to let my dogs take care of that on their own.

In reply to cwh:

You're trying to show a website as a photo. Right click the photo and select copy image location. Past that in the source area for the photo.

Look familiar, Chuck?