Experienced breeders question about distended abdomen on pup

[Maineyorkiemom]

Originally Posted by bjh

Since he is still fairly young and not a really big pup I wonder what he would do if you ground up the puppy food so he would have to lick it instead of gobbling it. This is how I wean my pups, they start out slowly on food. I put the ground food out in a small bowl and they start licking it when they are around 4 weeks old. I use a blender to grind up the dry food. It might help with the bloating also.

That is how i start out my young pups. First its goats milk, and food processor ground up kibble, very loose. Then its a tighter mush, then its soaked up nuggets then alittle drier nuggets, then full dry.

[bjh]

Originally Posted by Maineyorkiemom

That is how i start out my young pups. First its goats milk, and food processor ground up kibble, very loose. Then its a tighter mush, then its soaked up nuggets then alittle drier nuggets, then full dry.

I never do the mush with my pups. They wean so easily on the ground dry food that I find it unnecessary. I do add a little canned puppy food to the dry food just to make it a little moist when the pups are around 5 or 6 weeks old but they also have the dry food available. Most all my moms will let their pups nurse until they are 8 week old or older.

Another thing that might help is to use a small deep bowl so it is not so easy to get the food out. When the pups get older I use some some small heavy ceramic bowls to put the puppy's dry food in so they can't turn the bowls over.

[yorkielady06]

OK let me clarify.
This pup arrived with a very distended abdomen. He was uncomfortable but not to the extent of a torsion. I am doing the 10 quarantine period here as I am set up for that (and have an ICU room too). I noticed the abdomen and let my friend know. Called the breeder where he came from and talked at length. The breeder changed food a few weeks ago due to the one the pups were on was causing issues. After that change to help with diarrhea the pups were all fed on a 12 hour schedule or so (they are all over 12 weeks) and a few of the pups are now acting like this guy is.
So the breeder and my vet advised to soak the food completely and feed 4 small meals in attempts to teach him that he will be fed and prevent the bloat. When this guy is fed he is chomping at the metal bowl before it is even close to down! He eats and swallows the food whole and it is gone in 5-10 seconds. So now I am adding so much water that the water covers the food to attempt to slow him down. The breeder had luck with this with his other ones and now they are eating ok.
As far as free feeding goes it is exactly that. I put food down for my dogs and it is always there. They never need to compete for food. If you own a few dogs and do this it is difficult to add a dog that gets bloat from overeating. This pup would literally eat till he was violently sick and even die from that. So if you put him into your mix, then you cannot free feed your dogs anymore. So then you must change all your dogs over to the new way, not advisable as far as I am concerned. I have no dogs that over eat, all of mine are ideal body weight, none are aggressive eaters, and the food dish is not an object of competition. This guys behavior would need to be modified before he would blend into the mix or even go to a pet home. He stares and whines like he is starving all the time. If he had gone to a pet home I cannot imagine the consequences. I feel aweful by only feeding him 4 times a day because he acts so hungry.
So for the person to take him into the mix of her dogs will be difficult until he learns that he will be fed and that he does not have to fight or compete for food. That will take time according to my vet and some never stop that behavior....sad but true. So I will gain his trust and hopefully get the guy eating like a gentleman. HE is so gorgeous and is such a cuddle bug!!

[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by yorkielady06

OK let me clarify.
This pup arrived with a very distended abdomen. He was uncomfortable but not to the extent of a torsion. I am doing the 10 quarantine period here as I am set up for that (and have an ICU room too). I noticed the abdomen and let my friend know. Called the breeder where he came from and talked at length. The breeder changed food a few weeks ago due to the one the pups were on was causing issues. After that change to help with diarrhea the pups were all fed on a 12 hour schedule or so (they are all over 12 weeks) and a few of the pups are now acting like this guy is.
So the breeder and my vet advised to soak the food completely and feed 4 small meals in attempts to teach him that he will be fed and prevent the bloat. When this guy is fed he is chomping at the metal bowl before it is even close to down! He eats and swallows the food whole and it is gone in 5-10 seconds. So now I am adding so much water that the water covers the food to attempt to slow him down. The breeder had luck with this with his other ones and now they are eating ok.
As far as free feeding goes it is exactly that. I put food down for my dogs and it is always there. They never need to compete for food. If you own a few dogs and do this it is difficult to add a dog that gets bloat from overeating. This pup would literally eat till he was violently sick and even die from that. So if you put him into your mix, then you cannot free feed your dogs anymore. So then you must change all your dogs over to the new way, not advisable as far as I am concerned. I have no dogs that over eat, all of mine are ideal body weight, none are aggressive eaters, and the food dish is not an object of competition. This guys behavior would need to be modified before he would blend into the mix or even go to a pet home. He stares and whines like he is starving all the time. If he had gone to a pet home I cannot imagine the consequences. I feel aweful by only feeding him 4 times a day because he acts so hungry.
So for the person to take him into the mix of her dogs will be difficult until he learns that he will be fed and that he does not have to fight or compete for food. That will take time according to my vet and some never stop that behavior....sad but true. So I will gain his trust and hopefully get the guy eating like a gentleman. HE is so gorgeous and is such a cuddle bug!!

I'm hopeing it will all work out, and he will soon be eating like a little gentleman.

[gardenyorkies]

Originally Posted by Maineyorkiemom

Pup is a 13 week old yorkie-and we are dividing a days portion into 3 smaller meals. He salivates when you open the bag, or make his bowl of food. He chows it down in 5 seconds, no chewing, just swallowing, then his belly balloons and gets hard as a rock.

I wonder if handfeeding a pup like this would help him to slow down...I know he will probably just swallow it at first but you may be able to eventually slow him down...

[gardenyorkies]

There are also special bowls made to slow dogs down that have a tendency to eat too fast...Not sure what breed pup we are talking about here so not sure which one to recommend...

[Maineyorkiemom]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

I'm hopeing it will all work out, and he will soon be eating like a little gentleman.

Im hoping we can get him over this hurdle. He is so sweet and gentle and gorgeous. Im keeping my fingers crossed for this little guy. And, a few prayers.

[yorkielady06]

Originally Posted by gardenyorkies

There are also special bowls made to slow dogs down that have a tendency to eat too fast...Not sure what breed pup we are talking about here so not sure which one to recommend...

I did try that and he grabbed my finger hard. Would not call it a bite but he paid no attention to my fingers at all and chomped down hard on them to get the food. He chomps down on a metal bowl as it is coming to him with food...
Have to LOL I gave him a tiny dog tennis ball and he is in there barking like mad at it cause it is near his food dishes..

[Keno]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Maineyorkiemom http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/ima...s/viewpost.gif
Yeah, i understand the cribbing, and i know there are devices out there to slow down a dog eating and drinking. But what would you do if that horse was in a corral with a few other horses and you did not have the set up where you can put rounded rocks? Same thing when that pup has to adjust to life with a kennel full of others who have the freedom to go in and out doggy doors all day and eat when they want. Does that one pup get locked in a cage for life? Away from other dogs? Not being able to socialize? Do you change the feeding pattern of the entire kennel for the one dog?

Originally Posted by Mitzis Mom

ooops... I didn't see that coming! Can you please explain to me how and on which foot I stepped? I was just offering an experience of mine. Besides I thought this Yorkie was fed by itself, did I read that wrong? Oh... and I am free feeding 5 Yorkies without any problems, have a doggie door, all 5 Yorkies are healthy and happy and are neither overweight nor starving.

Hmmm... I just remembered why I haven't been on YT for over a year... THANKS FOR REMINDING ME!!!

seems as if someone is overly sensitive. MM needs to calm down. Advice about horses may not apply to our little Yorkies, but your heart was in the right place.

I have often wondered, if you have so many dogs and you free feed, how do you know if all the dogs are eating?

MYM, you seem like a good person to take on the responsibility of a new dog with no "table manners". I hope you resolve the issue.

Does a dog get a distended abdomen from not eating as much as he should? Perhaps that is why he really gulps at the food. You sound intelligent & I feel with your kind heart, you will do right by this baby. I do not have that many dogs so I cannot help you. But I do wish you luck.

Keep your toes out of MM's way. LOL

[yorkielady06]

He is now with MYM and hopefully she can teach him some table manners and doggy manners. He started getting a little food aggressive the more time went on and his abdomen was smaller but still somewhat distended. He just thinks constantly about food...must be related to me. I hope MYM can get him on the right track.

[Maineyorkiemom]

Originally Posted by yorkielady06

He is now with MYM and hopefully she can teach him some table manners and doggy manners. He started getting a little food aggressive the more time went on and his abdomen was smaller but still somewhat distended. He just thinks constantly about food...must be related to me. I hope MYM can get him on the right track.

Well, tonight when he came home he played outside for a half hour or better and our chocolate yorkie mama took it upon herself to corral him in when he would venture into the bushes, and he actually loved the company of Shi and Sugar and sammy. He ate his food well, but was not aggressive when he saw the pups in the kitchen, merely curious. I think he may be accustomed to being with adult yorkies, and pups as well. Maybe he didnt know what to do with two teacups! LOL
kidding.......

[TommiGirl]

seems as if he is in good hands. Both you ladies are teaching him manners and etiquette LOL.
I feel that once his tummy stops hurts, he will feel more secure about eating slowly. He needs love - reassurance- and security.

so looks as if things are looking up for him and soon he will become the little gentleman you hoped for.

Do not let anyone discourage you. Stay away from mean spirited people who are used to handling horses LOL.

Please keep us up to date.

Good luck!

[Maineyorkiemom]

Originally Posted by TommiGirl

seems as if he is in good hands. Both you ladies are teaching him manners and etiquette LOL.
I feel that once his tummy stops hurts, he will feel more secure about eating slowly. He needs love - reassurance- and security.

so looks as if things are looking up for him and soon he will become the little gentleman you hoped for.

Do not let anyone discourage you. Stay away from mean spirited people who are used to handling horses LOL.

Please keep us up to date.

Good luck!

He will definitely get lots of love, and hugs, and spoiling!!!

[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by TommiGirl

seems as if he is in good hands. Both you ladies are teaching him manners and etiquette LOL.
I feel that once his tummy stops hurts, he will feel more secure about eating slowly. He needs love - reassurance- and security.

so looks as if things are looking up for him and soon he will become the little gentleman you hoped for.

Do not let anyone discourage you. Stay away from mean spirited people who are used to handling horses LOL.

Please keep us up to date.

Good luck!

That wasn't nice.

[Keno]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

That wasn't nice.

that did not seem necessary (she did put LOL after it) ... just an observation.