Any advice? Sorry Long...

[BerkleysMom]

Hi all,

I am new to the board but have been reading posts for several months now. My baby Berk has really had a time.

She is 4 months old today. Let me give some background before I get into the present problem. Her mother got ill the first week of her life and she had to be bottle fed - she got about a weeks worth of her mothers milk before the vet put her on a bottle (Esbilac Goats Milk). She went from that to Iams Smart Puppy Formula at about 6 weeks? Can't remember now. (I now know this was not the best choice and plan on switching her). We had her tail docked 4 weeks ago due to her mother being ill she didn't get have her tail docked when she was young - didn't do her ears and now kinda regret her tail. So here goes the time line:

4 weeks ago tail docked (did fine), (3rd set of shots at this time). She has never had worms - always negative - did blood work for surgery and all showed fine.
3 weeks ago started throwing up a little - took her to the vet - she tested positive for parvo. She was put on a pedialytle, antibiotic, nausea medicine and diarhea medicine. She never had the parvo bad (she went through one 30 minute bout of what its like the 3rd day in but other than that no throwing up and fever went away got well other than we have been trying to get her poo back to normal. She is playing and fine and has really amazed the vet (we prayed a lot during this time because I knew how devastating this was and thought I had done everything to prevent it). She has been on a strict timeline for shots, heartworms, fleas and has seen the vet when well about every two weeks (I am a nervous mother) The vet thinks she didn't have the parvo as badly as she could have due to her having her shots on time and said he thought they helped her fight it, plus we caught it so quickly (the vomiting).

I have been feeding her chicken and rice with fortiflora in her first meal of the day for 3 weeks now.

So 4 days ago at 4:30 in the morning she woke me up acting strange. Rubbing her body across the bed and really making a fuss. I took her in the livingroom thinking she was just waking me up to go potty and turned on the lights to see her face swollen up and hives all over her body. I gave her a benadryl (which made it all go away by the time we got to the vet). He gave her prednisone .5 mg for 4 days. So today we woke up and she had her normal routine of 3cc's of pro-pectalin, rice and chicken with fortiflora, and her 4th and last dose of prednisone. I give paste wait 30 minutes and feed her and then gave the prednisone between 7:00 and 7:30. About 9:00 she threw up all her food (intact) by 9:15 she was breaking out again, quick and face started swelling again- she hasn't thrown up in weeks. I immediatly gave benadryl (she has a trick of cheeking her pills so I thought I would give her a tiny bit of water to make sure it went down) and right after that the benadryl came back up with the water, I called the vet. I now know I shouldn't have given the water but with the benadryl back up I gave her another benadryl and the vet called back. My vet was out so I told the vet on call Berks history and she said if the benadryl works to call my vet back in the morning but she thought it would be a good idea to get something from him to have on hand in case she does this again and if it didn't go away to call back and we would get her a shot. She didn't feel the "allergy" had anything to do with after effects of the parvo. It all went away again with the benadryl within a couple of hours so I will be calling her vet in the morning to get something to keep on hand. Sorry this was so long but trying to remember everything.

So my questions are:

She has been on chicken and rice for 3 weeks now... is this too long I am worried even though she is getting the fortiflora (which I have read has vitamins in it) that she isn't getting enough nutrients. How long can they stay on chicken and rice?

I am also wondering if the Iams could cause such a reaction (I had started giving it back like a few pellets in one feeding and read they could have allergies to it) The reason I wonder about the Iams is I had started giving a few pellets back a few days ago and stopped again cause I wasn't sure her belly was able to take it and thought it might be the problem, then with her doing better on her poos my husband added 7 pellets to a feeding yesterday. (at least 12 hours before the break out). I am stopping the Iams all together just have to figure out what food to switch her to.

*When I say we are working on her poos to date she either has 2 good poos a day or 1 good one just not solid - 2nd has been having a little moosh at the end*

She is also a licker - licks windows, floors, pretty much anything - I am trying to break her of it but so far good luck.

I just feel so bad for her. She is fine now and has been a real trooper through all of it and plays and acts fine but I am concerned with her having so much happen in the last month as to why and how I can boost her back up. We have been back and forth to the vet I bet 15-20 times throughout the past month (which is fine). I just want to do everything I can to get her tip top and well.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

She is healthy and plays and acts fine but I still won't take her outside because she has been through so much now I am terrified of what she could get. (We live in the country and I have been told that raccoons and coyotes can carry parvo and other diseases). So until she can have her rabies and last booster I am scared. My vet said that parvo is just so contagious that it could have been anything. I was concerned because I thought I had researched enough and had her shots on time and still didn't get her out hardly at all and that is in the car or up the driveway to just get her some exercise and that was just a few weeks ago we started that. She is BORED but thats ok - we entertain her as much as we can

 

[Gatorblu]

I would not give the Iams anymore. It is a poor quality food. If you go to the Dog Food Analysis - Reviews of kibble you can find a better quality food, whether or not is causing the reaction. My experience with food allergies were not like what you're describing. (My dog got frequent yeast infections, was itchy and lost her hair.) That is not to say that is not what is going on with your baby. The timeline of Berkley's outbreaks and you giving her Iams is a bit too coincidental. After being sick with Parvo your dog's immune system has been stressed and an allergy is more likely to present itself. Iams puppy food has a lot of corn in it. I'm guessing, (and guessing, and trial and error are a big part of of trying to figure out allergies) that since you've been feeding rice and she hasn't had a reaction she is not totally grain intollerant. But I would look for a food without corn in it.

Now all that being said, the only time one of my dogs was covered in hives, she had got bit by some kind of insect. But like I said before that is my personal history. Since you said Berkley doesn't go out much, I would vacuum your whole house. I mean under all your furniture and in the corners real well to make sure there aren't any little spiders or what ever hiding. I don't care how good of housekeeper a person is, when you live in a warmer climate, like you do in Texas, you're going to have a few unwanted bugs. I would not suggest spraying because puppies like to lick and put everything in their mouth.

Good luck!

 

[samsons]

I would not give the Iams anymore. It is a poor quality food. If you go to the Dog Food Analysis - Reviews of kibble you can find a better quality food, whether or not is causing the reaction. My experience with food allergies were not like what you're describing. (My dog got frequent yeast infections, was itchy and lost her hair.) That is not to say that is not what is going on with your baby. The timeline of Berkley's outbreaks and you giving her Iams is a bit too coincidental. After being sick with Parvo your dog's immune system has been stressed and an allergy is more likely to present itself. Iams puppy food has a lot of corn in it. I'm guessing, (and guessing, and trial and error are a big part of of trying to figure out allergies) that since you've been feeding rice and she hasn't had a reaction she is not totally grain intollerant. But I would look for a food without corn in it.

Now all that being said, the only time one of my dogs was covered in hives, she had got bit by some kind of insect. But like I said before that is my personal history. Since you said Berkley doesn't go out much, I would vacuum your whole house. I mean under all your furniture and in the corners real well to make sure there aren't any little spiders or what ever hiding. I don't care how good of housekeeper a person is, when you live in a warmer climate, like you do in Texas, you're going to have a few unwanted bugs. I would not suggest spraying because puppies like to lick and put everything in their mouth.

Good luck!

i would have to agree !! def change the food !! even if u find a great kibble they might do well on one flavor and not another. I feed sam "taste of the wild " ( 6 star ) and wellness core 95 % canned. the fish n fowl give him awful - clear the room- gas , but he does incredible on the venison and bison formula - each dog is diffrant of course - u just have to find one that works for both of u - his belly n ur wallet ( BTW ~ the higher quality the kibble the less u have to feed ) a 22.00 bag last me 2 weeks and sam is 70 ish lbs

DFA was my best friend for mo's even went to stores with my print outs !! one of the clerks asked if she could keep them -

 

[LILYLARUE]

My first guess would be the corn in the cheap food (iams) as well. I would stick to the chicken and rice for a week, no treats or other food, and see if the reaction stops. If it continues, then I would assume allergens to grains is developing. Sometimes reaction is slow to come on and slow to flush out of the system. My staffy got hives from rice, so I can see the coorelation between food and the hives. It is possible, but bug bites react the same as you described too.

Cleaning of spiders and little mites may help too. I would also watch her closely when she noses the ground. There are bugs and wasps that live in the dirt that can give a good sting or bite in the nose. Those can be dangerous, as they can affect the airway if a severe reaction.

Keep posting your progress........lets try to help get to the bottom of this and get your baby on track and off those symptom-relieving drugs.

 

[BerkleysMom]

Thank you all for your help. She is doing really well. I took her to the vet to get a check-up yesterday and got her a couple shots to keep on hand in case it happens again. The benadryl worked but I wanted to make sure I had whatever I needed as she likes me to call the vet on Sundays She has been on the chicken and rice for 3 weeks and I agree it seemed coincidental the times I tried to reintroduce the Iams that she broke out so it is OUT. Hopefully, that was it. I didn't want to try it again as her food to go back on either way. So I hope that I did my research on her foods well enough and what is available to me in my area (I'm in the country) so I am switching her today to the chicken soup for the puppy lovers soul. The vet said to reintroduce slowly so what I am doing today is giving her appx. 7-10 kibbles in each feeding (she is fed 4 times a day) and back out of the chicken and rice throughout the week and add more kibble daily. I also picked up some good meats at the store to boil for her once she is doing well on the kibble. What I would like to do is feed her the kibble plus raw (if you can call it that) I would prefer to boil it but if thats not the way I should please let me know. I am trying to research and watch her at the same time and she is a live wire

I am cleaning my house again today to make sure I have covered all bases. My husband thought she might have got ahold of a bug of some sort but for it to have happened twice within 4 days - who knows. We definately do have bugs here (wasps, yellow jackets, bees) and they find their way in sometimes but the problem with that is the first episode was in the bed at 4:30 in the morning (she doesn't get off the bed by herself) and at 9:30 in the morning 4 days later where she had played in the livingroom for an hour and a half. We don't leave her or let her out of our sight due to all she's been through so someone is with her all the time. I know her breaking out like that made me really nervous and I am really trying to figure it out. We are in the country - hay, horse, cows, etc. So there is no telling but I can tell you she was perfectly healthy before the parvo and thankfully doing well now. She is a blessing to me.

I did notice the feed store having (excuse me if I get the name wrong - I think it was taste of the wild) so that is another option for me if this is not the "one" for her. She is off all medications now other than a little more paste (a day or so more) and then as the vet said she will be cold turkey. So I am trying to get this right and crossing my fingers for a healthy tummy.

I am also wondering if the licking thing is a trait or because she was a bottle baby. Her grandfather is a licker So I guess its in her genes.... She licked her vet right in the mouth yesterday and I couldn't help but laugh... he didn't duck and dodge quick enough. He just laughed and I said I told you so

The man at the feed store told me to add a little pumpkin to her food for upset tummy so I need to get some pumpkin to keep on hand I guess. I would never have guessed pumpkin. Thank you for all your help so very much. I will keep you updated on her and see if we can't get this figured out.

 

[LILYLARUE]

Taste of the wild is a great food. It also has a grainless formula, so I wouldn't bother with Chicken Soup, as it has many possible allergens in it and that's what you need to eliminate. Try TOW (taste of the wild) and see if any reactions. You can try the any of the flavors. It's chock full of goodness and no fillers or such.

Also, you mentioned homecooked and kibble meals. Many do that. Just don't mix the two in the same meal. Kibble one meal, homecooked the others. If you really want to add something new into the mix, feed the meat raw, uncooked! Many are raw feeders on here and can guide you if it is of interest. So many benefits to count!

Also, the licking...........yes, a total boxer trait! When someone mentions boxer kisses, there is a specific method to their kisses! Licking as much of the face as possible and entering orafices is extra points!

 

[BerkleysMom]

Thanks so much for the help. I saw the TOW and knew in the back of my head that was the one I should have tried (they had so many to choose from I wasn't sure which one to try). Problem now is I already started the chicken soup. I purchased it this morning and have started feeding it to her. How long do I keep her on that before I switch? She has had it in 2 feedings today (small amounts but she has started on it).


Thanks again for the help.

 

[LILYLARUE]

Thanks so much for the help. I saw the TOW and knew in the back of my head that was the one I should have tried (they had so many to choose from I wasn't sure which one to try). Problem now is I already started the chicken soup. I purchased it this morning and have started feeding it to her. How long do I keep her on that before I switch? She has had it in 2 feedings today (small amounts but she has started on it).


Thanks again for the help.

Since you just started.....take 2 cups and keep that for the switch and then return the Chicken Soup (they take returns on opened bags) and trade for the TOW. It shouldn't be an issue other than some runny stools but you haven't lost any ground at this point.

 

[BerkleysMom]

LILYLARUE,

I can't thank you enough for all your help. You are great! My question this morning is... (sorry for so many questions - still learning). I have fed it in 3 feedings and this morning she had the most normal looking poo yet (it had shape and color - didn't know I would ever be this excited about poo...) and it may just be in my mind because we just started it but her ribs have been showing and this morning they look better, almost a little fuller. This is one thing I been worried about having her on chicken and rice for 3 weeks (the vet on call said if I hadn't told him she had had parvo he never would have known - that he thought she looked great).

I know that she is going to be lanky at this point but the ribs bother me. Berkley is tall and lanky and her sister, Bacon, (the runt) is short and fuller (my best friend has her sister - there were only 2 in the litter). Her sister couldn't eat the Iams either - horrible diarhea - I just found out and neither have ever liked the taste - would wait until they knew that was it to eat and then eat it (her baby would wait and eat the big dogs food if she could get ahold of it). I'm suprised there is so much difference in her and her sister size wise.

So do you think it would be ok to try for a little bit and then switch? I'm hoping to see the same thing this afternoon (she poos twice a day when she's normal). I fully plan on putting her on the TOW being the better choice but she seems to be doing well so far and I'm scared to "rock the boat" after 3 weeks of tummy troubles. Thanks again you have helped me so much.

 

[Gatorblu]

I feed my dogs Taste of the Wild. One of the things I liked was I could get in a couple of places. So if one store is out of it, I can try another. Being out in the country, if you have a Tractor Supply Company, they carry it. I went thru several different brands before I came upon this and my dogs love it and they seem much healthier on it.

As for the pumpkin, when you get it make sure it is 100% pumpkin, and not pumpkin pie filling. I buy a couple of cans to keep handy just in case. We had some issues last year and there was a shortage and I couldn't find it anywhere. So now I keep it in the cupboard.

I'm glad your baby is feeling better!