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Originally Posted by MrsStraty  Good morning guys. Thanks for all of the wonderful posts. As soon as I got up I logged in to see more great posts. I usually do keep them in the kitchem but the kids forget they are in there and leave the gates open, 2 kitchen entrances, and then they are free at last!!!  Will also stop the free feeding too. So what times should I feed? I heard Yorkies should always have food out because of their blood sugar. I think Jade is sick now. She will go to the vet tomorrow. She has had diarrhea for 3 days now, and when I gave her a bath last night her butt is red and tender, poor thing. I can really see her butt under her tail because I have her butt area shaved because she used to get poop stuck there but since I started shaving that area she doesn't get poop stuck there anymore. She is acting fine, eating fine, you would not know she is sick except for this mucousy diarrhea and it isn't the best smelling either. Anyone know what can cause this? She also does this thing where it looks like she is sliding on her butt. You know that commercial, "Look Mom, Toby learned a new trick?" LOL...why does she do that? It is cute but kinda gross too.  Thanks!   |
Many people recommend free feeding till the age of 6 months or 4 pounds, by this time you don't usually have to worry about hypoglycemia. I feed Joey twice a day, first thing in the morning, and then again in the evening at dinnertime. He usually has a treat at bedtime. Feeding twice a day will allow the poop time to become regular, and give you more of an idea on when that time is. Many dogs will poop 5 minutes after eating so some people just take them for a walk after meals.
The diarrhea may be caused by something she's eating, and to get the best advice, I suggest you start a new thread in the diet forum. While the scooting behavior sometimes happens when anal glands are too full, it often can happen when the area has been shaved. Shaving too close can cause itching and irritation, your vet can check for this, but many people recommend clipping with a scissors instead of shaving, again you might want to look at the diet, because with the right food, you'll have no dingleberrys. The scooting may also be cause because the area is inflamed from the diarrhea. Make sure your sons aren't feeding the dogs any people food. Dogs often beg from family members who find it difficult to say no, and the food that most kids eat isn't fit for a dog, and can cause diarrhea.
I also would get some belly bands for your male dog, just place a sanitary pad inside a belly band, and take it off several times a day to allow them to pee normally outside or on a pee pad. Until the dog is fixed this might be the best option.
I did want to add that twice a week baths may be too much, many people recommend no more than once a week.