A whole new set of questions, sorry:(

[xcrazydx]

It's hilarious to read about people giving vitamins, various pills, taking the dog to the vet every other day, etc. Wtf? It's a dog, he'll be fine. Water, feed, exercise repeat.

 

[BAMCB]

It's hilarious to read about people giving vitamins, various pills, taking the dog to the vet every other day, etc. Wtf? It's a dog, he'll be fine. Water, feed, exercise repeat.

I may agree with you under different circumstances and myself would wait and see with my other dogs. The difference is my other dogs are healthy and I know that. They've had regular care and check ups along with good diets and I KNOW this because it is I who cares for them. Chica, on the other hand, is a rescue who is being treated for medical conditions and has some levels off with her blood work. She comes from an unknown situation with unknown medical care. She is underweight already and was not eating well for the first week and a half. I am also still new to raw feeding, though it has gone well for my dogs, once again I do not know her past, so would of course look for guidance from more experienced mastiff raw feeders. Since there are so many unknown variables of course I am concerned. I do not feel I would be fit for rescue if I was not concerned for their health and not watching for normal functioning of their systems. I thank you for your input of a wait and see approach but this is not a normal situation and should be treated ASAP if something IS wrong. What a tragedy to have her finally in a home with love and good care to only suffer due to lack of knowledge or seeking advice from someone who may have experienced this situation before.

 

[BAMCB]

I finally called the vet. Her check up is tomorrow but I wanted to move it up to today. What a surprise to hear them say the dr is not too concerned and feels confident in my making the call to whether it is an emergency. Since I hear gut sounds and she is still eating he is ok with waiting 24 hrs. Of course they will fit me in if things really go down between now and then. Phew! Done worrying, finally
I am going to soak the chicken breasts I have and make the drive to Arthur for ground turkey. She is eating the pork, actually more like downing the pork but I would like to try to get her off straight pork die to the richness and fat. I will let you all know what happens tomorrow.

 

[BAMCB]

Update: went to vet today and her levels have not come down enough to go ahead with the surgery her weight was 1.5 lbs less but that could just be the way she was standing. She has had a couple BMs and is really wanting to eat now! Another round of antibiotics, cider vinegar rinses, good food and lots of love for the next 2 weeks and lots of praying for better numbers. If not? We will have to start looking at possible cancers. Please send lots of positive energy this way. Thanks!

Oh, and food is going well at this point but may have more questions when I start adding in bones and offal.

 

[angelbears]

All positive thoughts for her and you. It is a very good sign that she is eating and pooping.

We are rooting for you pretty girl. Keep eating and getting stronger.

 

[Liz_M]

It sounds like overall she is doing very well. You've only had her, what, 2-3 weeks? That is not a long time to effect change, given her six-year history of poor treatment.

Good thoughts from me too.

 

[NYDDB]

Hopefully all she needs is time, and good food, love and rest. It's amazing how well dogs can rebound from a not so great back history.

Good thoughts sent your way!

 

[BAMCB]

Thanks everyone I have a lot of faith. Her numbers are still double the norms BUT they did decline by (.7). Though that is very little it IS downward nonetheless. Two weeks is not all that long and I actually saw a short spurt gallop yesterday. She runs with the others when someone is at the door, greets all family members and overall just appears to be happy. She also dances with a super cute wiggly butt for her mealsSorry, I guess I like to say these things because it is what gives me hope

 

[angelbears]

It should give you hope. She seems to realize that good things have finally come her way.

 

[BAMCB]

Ok, I am being pushed to the limits with raw feeding:/ I spent over an hour mincing chicken breasts(3lbs) and mixing it with ground turkey yesterday. Feed her dinner tonight(1lb 10oz) of said mix with her probiotic sprinkled in. Ten minutes later I am scooping up regurgitated mess. Two hours later I'm hand feeding the slimy gooey mess to her on the patio so to get her antibiotic in at some point tonight. This is pretty gross I have to admit at least sonny takes the job of licking her chops clean with enthusiasm. Two times in one night was just a bonus for him I guess lol

 

[tmricciuto]

BAMCB - I'm so sorry to hear you are having problems. I did read, don't remember where that if they are regurgitating food there might be a problem with the ratio or they just aren't used to it yet.

Rest in the fact that you are an awesome doggy mom trying to do the very best for this dog.

 

[BAMCB]

Ok, still not comfortable with the small amount of food she is eating but we are not regurgitating anymore. Her stools are starting to get runny and I'm guessing it may be a lack of bone for 2 weeks(due to her regurgitation of it) and get only eating the rich ground turkey and pork(I have minced some chicken breast and added in and cut some of the fat). I can pick up saw scraps this afternoon, would it be a good start for adding in some bone? I have to finely chop her meat and mix it well with ground while hand feeding small amounts but this is working. I would hate for her to get diarrhea on top of not eating enough. I do feel she is losing a small amount of weight at this point(though last Thursday the vet said not to worry but I definitely am). I am weighing out her estimated daily amount and trying to get her to eat that throughout the day. When I feed her she will sometimes just walk away after only 1/2-3/4 lb. I am going to guess she is eating on average 2lbs a day and I think this is too little amount. I am especially worried due to the globulin levels being so high and the chance of cancer I just want her to eat and get strong in hopes that will lower them! Any and all suggestions are welcomed and wanted. I am thinking that either I need to get her meals closer to balanced and eating more or try kibble again. I just want her eating. She is currently on amoxicillin and getting zymox in her ears to treat residual yeast.

 

[AZ Boerboel]

Is it true vomit or regurgitation? Does she gobbler /gulp? - meaning does she swallow big pieces without chewing? Our EM still does this occasionally and then up it comes. Yes he does re-eat it. From reading back thread regurgitation is normal for some dogs when starting raw. Grosses my husband up to no end but the 2nd time he does chew it. We've gotten into the habit of holding his food while he eats it to make sure he takes the time to chew.

Hang in there - she'll get the hang of it.

A pug we used to have would regurgitate 99% of the meals she was fed and re eat it. It was such a PITA!

 

[TricAP]

The antibiotics are more than likely the cause of her diarrhea. All of our dogs have that reaction to them. Poor girl has been through so much and is SO lucky to have you as her new champion!

Look up the recipe for Satin balls in past threads - those might really help her gain some weight back and the small size shouldn't be an issue for regurgitation.

 

[tmricciuto]

Oh...I never even thought of that. Both my girls get loose stools when on antibiotics.

 

[BAMCB]

I had considered the antibiotics being the cause of some issues. I did add a small amount of saw scraps Tuesday and Wednesday and her poo is looking fabulous(if I can say). Lol I am noticing a trend of regurgitation in the mornings. I am feeding her by hand to keep the bites smaller. In the morning she will eat some, then walk away to pee and poo and not want more after. Regurgitation will happen within a half an hour. She will not eat that again. I will give her a small treat in the afternoon(chicken feet, turkey tail, tried a small bone for the first time again yesterday) and there has not been regurgitation of that in a couple weeks. And then dinner she wants a lot. I don't recall regurgitation as often at night and definitely not over the last week. Should I just skip the morning meal? Maybe her small treat in the am and then her 2 bigger meals in the afternoon and evening? I am not always here mid afternoon but can certainly be more conscious of it if needed. Does this seem reasonable? I will look up satin balls today. And as always, thanks for all you input

 

[BAMCB]

The antibiotics are more than likely the cause of her diarrhea. All of our dogs have that reaction to them. Poor girl has been through so much and is SO lucky to have you as her new champion!

Look up the recipe for Satin balls in past threads - those might really help her gain some weight back and the small size shouldn't be an issue for regurgitation.

Thank you. But I have to say I was questioning my abilities when she appeared to be losing more weight. But overall I can see huge improvements and have to remind myself of that.

 

[angelbears]

I don't think it would matter but I feed boneless in the mornings and bone-in for dinner. There is a lot of things going on with your girl, I wouldn't worry about runny stools unless it turned into the clinical definition of diarrhea.

 

[BAMCB]

So an update for all of you extremely patient and awesome peeps Chica is up 8lbs(128) and scheduled for her spay and tumor removals on October 6!!! She will need to stay on antibiotics until then with a repeat blood work up to be certain she is healthy enough for anesthesia. Her levels are still not normal(actually quite high) but they are slowly coming down from where they started. Now is the time for a happy dance!!

 

[tmricciuto]

So happy for her.


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