Very hungry Yorkie !!

[Franceen]

Hi everyone

My little Tootsy has had some tummy troubles over the past few days. It was entirely my fault to begin with, as I gave her some cheese and, later in the day, I gave her some chicken with the skin on (I normally don't give her the skin but did so this once as she just loves it). This was obviously too much fat in the diet for that day and she got the runs. Sorry, I am going to be gross now!!! Her poops were very soft and covered with mucus. During the day she passed lots of mucus. She seemed fine in herself - not tired or looking sick. I decided to wait and see how she went as I knew the cause. I fed her boiled rice and boiled lean chicken only. Her poops are just about normal now and she is definitely over the tummy upset. The problem is she is starving hungry all the time. She wants food 4 to 5 times a day and cries if I refuse. I am still giving her the rice and chicken and today I gave her rice and fish. I am still hesitant about adding the vegies - perhaps I'll try tomorrow.

What do I do about the munchies she seems to have - I am giving her 2 and a half cups of food a day!! This is 1 cup more than normal. Should I just be firm and let her cry or is she just making up for the runs that she had? She had the runs for a few days in all, so maybe she is needs the extra food?

Luv

Franceen

[Meggie]

Hi Franceen.
Two of mine are just like that, my oldest & my youngest. Any slight change in diet & they get the trots.
You're doing the best thing, sticking to the chicken & rice for a few days. you could add a bit of dry toast if she wants something crunchy as a snack.

Just a couple of things.
When did you last worm her? The mucus can be a sign of that, especially with the voracious appetite.

If you've done that recently it could just be an upset tum. The best advice I've had recently is from a new young vet they've got at my practice, seconded by the old nurse there who has Yorkies & swears by this too. It's called Promax, a paste that comes in a tube. Last time my littlest had the runs, the new vet gave her this instead of pumping her with antibiotics. It's very gentle, a mix of probiotics, an anti-inflammatory & something to sort the diaorrhea, you give it till the trots stop. He says he wouldn't be without it for his cats & the nurse swears by it for her Yorkies.
I got the first lot from the vet but it seems to be available without prescription from some of the online vet pharmacies where I buy Tansy's heart pills.

Hope this helps a bit.
xx
Meggie

[Franceen]

Hi Meggie

Thanks so much for your reply. Tootsy's tummy is absolutely normal today - no sign of the mucous. I wormed her three months ago - I am not sure how often you are supposed to worm them? I think you may be right about the worms - what is the best worming medication and can I buy it online or do I have to go to the vet?

She has been scooting along on her bottom the past few days. Some people say that this a sign of worms and others say it isn't and is actually caused by the anal glands needing to be cleared. I don't know who to believe!? In any case, I think I will worm her.

Thanks so much for telling me about the Promax - I will definitely get some. Which online vet do you use?

Thanks again, Meggie

Luv

Franceen xxx

[rufus]

It could be worms, with the bum dragging, but my old yorkie used to do it every now and then because he didn't have enough fibre in his diet (which allowed the anal glands to swell up) maybe the lack of fibre in her diet over the last few days has caused this to happen. Best course of action is off to the vet, they will be able to tell you not only what the problem is at the mo but also answer your other questions about how often to worm and where to get the pills.

Good luck

[Franceen]

Thanks for your reply, Rufus. I decided to worm her and used Drontal. I did not see any evidence of worms in her poops afterwards so I don't think she had any. I think I will take her to the vet for a check up.

Luv

Franceen

[Meggie]

I use Panacur for worming. It's very safe, you can use it on young puppies. I buy that from the vet.
With modern wormers you don't usually see worms in the motion as lots of the newer products dissolve them.
For online things, like Promax, I use Viovet. they've always been very good to deal with, but there are others.

The scooting could be either worms or anal glands, as it's just a sign of irritation & itchiness. It's easy to clear the glands if you get someone to show you how the first time you do it....smelly job

[Franceen]

Thanks, Meggie.

Luv

Franceen xx