Introduction and new puppy is sick :( - YorkieTalk.com Forums

allydown · 04-01-2007, 02:16 PM

Hello Everyone,

First an introduction: I grew up with a yorkie in my home and he was my best friend.. After I graduated from college my soon-to-be husband got me a yorkie puppy for a wedding present - we named him Max. That was 19 years ago. Max was the best dog..he died this past december on his 19th birthday of old age. The house just didn't seem the same and the kids and all of us really missed having Max around. So, for my husbands 40th birthday, we got him a little yorkie puppy and we named him Sam. We recieved him from Oklahoma by plane last saturday. He was 12 weeks old and weighed 2 lbs. 6 oz. and was just as cute as can be. He came with a vet health certificate and all seemed well. He came with food (eukunuba puppy) and he was eating well and drinking well. I give him nutrical 3x a day, as per the breeders instructions. His stools were a little soft after his first day with us but I didn't think anything about it. He was acting fine, peeing every hour or so and pooping regularly. I wanted to introduce a healthier food so I mixed 25% of Innova puppy into his 75% eukunuba. Gosh darn it, he picked all the new food out and only ate the new food. Then the soft stools started..just like pudding, not real diarrhea. That was 3 days ago. He hasn't had a firm stool yet and they seem to be getting runnier. He is eating and drinking well. I gave him rice and chicken today and he threw it up. I know he ate something outside, I think grass or mud or something else. He threw up some foamy stuff. I called the ER vet and she said that it didn't seem like an emergency and she would see us on Monday. He is playful, although he sleeps a lot, and he eats well and is peeing regularly. I am sooo worried about him. His poop is light yellow in color and very runny. I am very concerned about dehydration but he is drinking well so for now we have that under control. What could be causing this?? I never had these problems with Max. How do I make the diarrhea stop? Why is he throwing up? He has been with us for 6 days and we love him soo..

thanks for the advice I am about to receive..

Sam's Mom

marcerella02 · 04-01-2007, 02:31 PM

WELCOME!!! burlington ontario?? regardless! welcome!!! i'd contact a vet... with the travel and new home and new food... i;m sure it is a combo of everything.. but you don't want them to get dehydrated.... and it can happen so fast.... can we see pictures of your new little one??

LuvMySissy · 04-01-2007, 02:34 PM

It could just be his system adjusting to the new food or it could be something else. Did you take him in for a check-up after you received him? If not, I'd take him in tomorrow for a stool sample to make sure he doesn't have a parasite of some kind or needs a deworming.

In the meantime, get some Pedialyte and offer that to him to help him stay hydrated. If he is eating well, you don't need to give quite so much Nutrical - just make sure he is eating 3-4 times a day. Yellow foaming vomit is usually bile indicating a too empty stomach.

Some canned pumpkin filling can also help settle the tummy as can a quality yogurt with active cultures (like Stoneyfield Organic) - just make sure there is no artificial sweetener.

Hope he gets better soon. Please keep us posted.

Yorkieluv · 04-01-2007, 02:46 PM

It seems like your Max lived a wonderful life! 19 years, wow!

The stress of a new environment and new food can cause somewhat runny stools, but I would take him to the vet tomorrow for a check-up anyway. It sounds like he needs a fecal test as it may be some sort of parasite. It's good that you changed his food from eukanuba to a high quality food like Innova but it is very high in protein. Maybe it's too much protein?? Not sure, but ask the vet tomorrow. Good luck and keep us posted!
Oh, and Welcome to YT!!

JeanieK · 04-01-2007, 04:28 PM

I'm sorry I don't want to start an argument, but I believe pumpkin is used if they are constipated. Might not be a good idea to give it to him if he has loose stools.

As long as he is drinking, I would not worry too much. When did he have is last shots. Just before he was shipped maybe? Hallie had very loose stools for a week after she had her shots. The vet said not to worry, if she was eating and drinking, which she was.

with the food, maybe you could alternate. Put the old food out, and when that is gone, put some new out. Just a little bit of each at a time.

jatango · 04-01-2007, 04:44 PM

Pretty sure pumpkin can be used as both actually. The enzymes are good for digestion and the fiber helps everything. Just make sure it's not the seasoned pie filling kind. Comes in a yellowish can I believe. I always have a can handy for things like this. I'd say put her back on the eukanuba to see if the stools firm back up. If they do, you know it's the food. Some puppy tummies just have a very very tough time with certain foods, it can be a very individual thing. I know some dobie owners with 4 different dogs on 4 different foods because of this. Euk puppy has chicken as a protein base if I recall correctly. One of the foods we use a lot for dobes with rumbly tumblies is Pro Plan. Not very irritating to the tummy and better quality than you'd think. It's not as great as innova, but it has a nice medium level protein and no odd tummy-irritating ingredients. Some of our home-cookers even use it until the pup is old enough for home cooking.

Something else you can try is California Natural Lamb and Rice. 5 ingredients in the whole bag. Many dogs to well on this.

Good luck and be sure to double-check with the vet!

Lorraine · 04-01-2007, 05:21 PM

A little tinned pure pumpkin, not the pie filling, can be used for either diahrrea or constipation. Also with the soft stools, vomiting and drinking water, that can throw off the electrolytes in the intestine. Pick up some pedialyte for babies in your local drug store. Start with giving him 1 cc by mouth make sure he licks it so he doesn't aspirate. Wait about an hour and give him another cc. You can do that again then wait a few hours and do the same thing.
That should help until you can get him to the Vet on Monday.
He may very well not be able to tolerate Innova. If you can, keep him on the food he is used to.
This is not uncommon for puppies goin gto a new home. They have left the home they new, plane ride in this case, new home, different food, nothing familiar and the stress of it all can cause upsets.
Good luck with Sam.

blondflava · 04-01-2007, 05:44 PM

wow, 19 years... I think it's everyone's dream to have a dog live that age. He must have had a wonderful home

. The little puppy is probably adjusting to the new place, I'd definitely take him to the vet, for a check up and the vet should tell you what to do next (and I'm sure you'll receive a great load of information here as well). When I got Pepper, his stools were 'funny' for almost a month and he wouldn't eat sometimes. The vet OK'd him so I guess it was a puppy thing.

TLC · 04-01-2007, 06:19 PM

IMO - Innova is a very RICH food. I too did the 'slow switch' from Euk. to Innova when I first got TJ and Roxy. I didn't keep them on the Innova for very long. I could tell by the Smell, Consistancy and Frequency of their poops that this food was way too RICH for their little tummies and digestive tracks to handle.

I have tried many high quality dry foods - my favorite is Canidae

Best of Luck!

Yorkiedaze · 04-01-2007, 06:32 PM

Puppies and adult dogs can get loose stools and even diarrhea from stress. Going on a plane and then to a strange house with strange people has to be the most horrible of experiences for puppies and no wonder they end up at the Vets. Maybe when he gets used to everyone and everything, he will get much better. I'm not a fan of dog food, so I can't help you there.

04-01-2007, 02:16 PM	#1
allydown YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: burlington Posts: 3	Introduction and new puppy is sick :( Hello Everyone, First an introduction: I grew up with a yorkie in my home and he was my best friend.. After I graduated from college my soon-to-be husband got me a yorkie puppy for a wedding present - we named him Max. That was 19 years ago. Max was the best dog..he died this past december on his 19th birthday of old age. The house just didn't seem the same and the kids and all of us really missed having Max around. So, for my husbands 40th birthday, we got him a little yorkie puppy and we named him Sam. We recieved him from Oklahoma by plane last saturday. He was 12 weeks old and weighed 2 lbs. 6 oz. and was just as cute as can be. He came with a vet health certificate and all seemed well. He came with food (eukunuba puppy) and he was eating well and drinking well. I give him nutrical 3x a day, as per the breeders instructions. His stools were a little soft after his first day with us but I didn't think anything about it. He was acting fine, peeing every hour or so and pooping regularly. I wanted to introduce a healthier food so I mixed 25% of Innova puppy into his 75% eukunuba. Gosh darn it, he picked all the new food out and only ate the new food. Then the soft stools started..just like pudding, not real diarrhea. That was 3 days ago. He hasn't had a firm stool yet and they seem to be getting runnier. He is eating and drinking well. I gave him rice and chicken today and he threw it up. I know he ate something outside, I think grass or mud or something else. He threw up some foamy stuff. I called the ER vet and she said that it didn't seem like an emergency and she would see us on Monday. He is playful, although he sleeps a lot, and he eats well and is peeing regularly. I am sooo worried about him. His poop is light yellow in color and very runny. I am very concerned about dehydration but he is drinking well so for now we have that under control. What could be causing this?? I never had these problems with Max. How do I make the diarrhea stop? Why is he throwing up? He has been with us for 6 days and we love him soo.. thanks for the advice I am about to receive.. Sam's Mom

04-01-2007, 02:31 PM	#2
marcerella02 Loved by Layla Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ontario Canada...not California :( Posts: 7,469	WELCOME!!! burlington ontario?? regardless! welcome!!! i'd contact a vet... with the travel and new home and new food... i;m sure it is a combo of everything.. but you don't want them to get dehydrated.... and it can happen so fast.... can we see pictures of your new little one?? __________________ Layla 's Simon http://misscanam.blogspot.com/

04-01-2007, 02:34 PM	#3
LuvMySissy Luv my Angel, too! Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 8,027	It could just be his system adjusting to the new food or it could be something else. Did you take him in for a check-up after you received him? If not, I'd take him in tomorrow for a stool sample to make sure he doesn't have a parasite of some kind or needs a deworming. In the meantime, get some Pedialyte and offer that to him to help him stay hydrated. If he is eating well, you don't need to give quite so much Nutrical - just make sure he is eating 3-4 times a day. Yellow foaming vomit is usually bile indicating a too empty stomach. Some canned pumpkin filling can also help settle the tummy as can a quality yogurt with active cultures (like Stoneyfield Organic) - just make sure there is no artificial sweetener. Hope he gets better soon. Please keep us posted. __________________ Jodie, Sissy & Angel Proudly dressin' your furkids at: www.sissyangelwear.com Members of the CRAZY Club!

04-01-2007, 02:46 PM	#4
Yorkieluv Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,745	It seems like your Max lived a wonderful life! 19 years, wow! The stress of a new environment and new food can cause somewhat runny stools, but I would take him to the vet tomorrow for a check-up anyway. It sounds like he needs a fecal test as it may be some sort of parasite. It's good that you changed his food from eukanuba to a high quality food like Innova but it is very high in protein. Maybe it's too much protein?? Not sure, but ask the vet tomorrow. Good luck and keep us posted! Oh, and Welcome to YT!! __________________ Miko 's his Mommy

04-01-2007, 04:28 PM	#5
JeanieK Donating YT 6000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Council Bluffs Iowa Posts: 7,529	I'm sorry I don't want to start an argument, but I believe pumpkin is used if they are constipated. Might not be a good idea to give it to him if he has loose stools. As long as he is drinking, I would not worry too much. When did he have is last shots. Just before he was shipped maybe? Hallie had very loose stools for a week after she had her shots. The vet said not to worry, if she was eating and drinking, which she was. with the food, maybe you could alternate. Put the old food out, and when that is gone, put some new out. Just a little bit of each at a time. __________________ Ollie Chachi Hallie Harlie & Me CircleKRanchYorkies.com]

04-01-2007, 04:44 PM	#6
jatango Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 60	Pretty sure pumpkin can be used as both actually. The enzymes are good for digestion and the fiber helps everything. Just make sure it's not the seasoned pie filling kind. Comes in a yellowish can I believe. I always have a can handy for things like this. I'd say put her back on the eukanuba to see if the stools firm back up. If they do, you know it's the food. Some puppy tummies just have a very very tough time with certain foods, it can be a very individual thing. I know some dobie owners with 4 different dogs on 4 different foods because of this. Euk puppy has chicken as a protein base if I recall correctly. One of the foods we use a lot for dobes with rumbly tumblies is Pro Plan. Not very irritating to the tummy and better quality than you'd think. It's not as great as innova, but it has a nice medium level protein and no odd tummy-irritating ingredients. Some of our home-cookers even use it until the pup is old enough for home cooking. Something else you can try is California Natural Lamb and Rice. 5 ingredients in the whole bag. Many dogs to well on this. Good luck and be sure to double-check with the vet! Last edited by jatango; 04-01-2007 at 04:49 PM.

04-01-2007, 05:21 PM	#7
Lorraine YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Abbotsford, BC Posts: 1,146	A little tinned pure pumpkin, not the pie filling, can be used for either diahrrea or constipation. Also with the soft stools, vomiting and drinking water, that can throw off the electrolytes in the intestine. Pick up some pedialyte for babies in your local drug store. Start with giving him 1 cc by mouth make sure he licks it so he doesn't aspirate. Wait about an hour and give him another cc. You can do that again then wait a few hours and do the same thing. That should help until you can get him to the Vet on Monday. He may very well not be able to tolerate Innova. If you can, keep him on the food he is used to. This is not uncommon for puppies goin gto a new home. They have left the home they new, plane ride in this case, new home, different food, nothing familiar and the stress of it all can cause upsets. Good luck with Sam. __________________ Lorraine Loriben Yorkies (Reg)

04-01-2007, 05:44 PM	#8
blondflava Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Kearny, NJ Posts: 1,179	wow, 19 years... I think it's everyone's dream to have a dog live that age. He must have had a wonderful home . The little puppy is probably adjusting to the new place, I'd definitely take him to the vet, for a check up and the vet should tell you what to do next (and I'm sure you'll receive a great load of information here as well). When I got Pepper, his stools were 'funny' for almost a month and he wouldn't eat sometimes. The vet OK'd him so I guess it was a puppy thing. __________________ Izabela ... and Pepper Rest in peace, Kora, you're always in my

04-01-2007, 06:19 PM	#9
TLC Slave to My Rug-Rats Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Long Island Posts: 3,798	IMO - Innova is a very RICH food. I too did the 'slow switch' from Euk. to Innova when I first got TJ and Roxy. I didn't keep them on the Innova for very long. I could tell by the Smell, Consistancy and Frequency of their poops that this food was way too RICH for their little tummies and digestive tracks to handle. I have tried many high quality dry foods - my favorite is Canidae Best of Luck! __________________ Nicole *"You Won't Change the World by Saving One Animal..BUT...You Will Change the World for that One"*

04-01-2007, 06:32 PM	#10
Yorkiedaze My hairy-legged girls Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: lompoc, ca. Posts: 6,486	Puppies and adult dogs can get loose stools and even diarrhea from stress. Going on a plane and then to a strange house with strange people has to be the most horrible of experiences for puppies and no wonder they end up at the Vets. Maybe when he gets used to everyone and everything, he will get much better. I'm not a fan of dog food, so I can't help you there.