Just once I'd like to have a dog that does not experience any medical issues that have you guessing. With Olivia we had seizures late in her life that came out of no where. Eventually she succumbed to cancer about 18-months after the seizures started and we just elected to not do an autopsy.
With Glynis, we had stomach ailments within her first year that lead to a special diet and careful monitoring of what she eats. She was restricted to a venison and potato diet (I should eat so well!) and gets Tums twice a day.
You already know about Pont's little bout with loose stools and some vomiting two weekends ago. He bounced back to normal after 24-48 hours. I had a suspicion to his medicated rawhides and cut those out. Midweek I gave him a 1/2 of one. Sure enough, Saturday came and he again had wicked gas, loose stools, and vomited twice. By Sunday he was fine.
I'm not alarmed because 1) he is eating fine; 2) is drinking normally; 3) urinating normally; 4) eyes and gum tissue look fine; and 5) is showing no signs of listlessness and is perfectly normal in all other regard.
So, I'm going to just go with his food only. No treats, no rawhides, no steak tidbits from the table. If the symptoms go away and he has no other episodes then I'm sure it is the rawhides. If the symptoms start up again later this week, in he goes to the vet.
If anyone has any other thoughts or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment or just e-mail me.
Pont's weight is now up to 31.5 lbs and Glynis is down to 37 lbs.
Photos
We invested in a new digital camera this past week. The Canon 20D and it's a real beauty and we can utilize our exisiting array of Canon autofocus lenses. I highly recommend this one. If you have questions, feel free to e-mail. I can't wait to use it outside to capture the two speedsters. Here are some recent shots.
Posted by maasx003 at March 20, 2005 04:20 PM | TrackBackI just think Whippets have bad stomaches. Mine ALWAYS have semi-loose stools. I just gave up on worrying about it because they are never really sick, I think it is just something with the breed.
Posted by: Annie at March 20, 2005 06:28 PMHi:
Is he still doing any stool eating? If he is, that's probably some of it. I have to watch Corvette or he'll zero in on them outside EVERY time. (Maybe they enjoy seeing us screech like banshees??)
I would keep Pont on lamb and rice dry food (if he isn't already? Kay and I have fed that for years). Try a plain rawhide in a couple of weeks, if his stools stay consistent. It sure looks like the medication is more at fault than the rawhide, as our boys don't have problems and it sure keeps their teeth white and gums healthy. Good luck....and I LOVE the pictures from your new Canon 20D! Sue H
Posted by: Sue H at March 21, 2005 06:35 PMAnnie and Sue, thanks for the comments. Yes Sue, Pont still is eating poop but is getting a bit better especially when he know Mom & Dad are watching.
He is on Nutro's lamb & rice. Getting about 4-5 cups a day. He's already as big as Glynis and she's a big girl. I think Pont will be Great Dane in size.
I'll try the plain rawhides in a week or so.
Posted by: Brian Maas at March 21, 2005 08:57 PMHi:
Have you seen Pont's brother "Finn's" webpages? He is the puppy formerly called "Delorean"...now named "Northwind's Pavo Nurmi". Here's "Finn's" link. Bye
http://www.daneworld.com/DohlerWebsite25.htm
Hi there... I was just doing a general search in regards to my whippet puppy's (5 months old)semi loose stool problem and came upon this site.
I am a little bit reassured by your conversation since he is teething right now and he too has picked up the bad habit of eating his own poop. I feed him Nutro and have been incorporating rice in his diet. He is fine with rawhides although i've never tried medicated rawhides for him. Actually, he has normal hard stool but as the day goes on and its lterally in & out (I think due to high metabolism) it almost always turns to semi-moist loose stool. I am not overly worried because he is not listless and has a ton of energy (as usual,) but I do worry if he has any discomfort even if its slight. well... thats about it I just thought i'd write a little something since I have been having the same issue with my pup.
I appreciate any comments from any veteran owners.
Thanks,
Proud new mom of a whippet puppy
