Really worried about my Yorkie
 

Hello everyone, this is my first post. Need to talk to some Yorkie owners and get some opinions.
I have a 5 yr old Yorkie named Gavin. Gavin has frequent gastro problems (especially if he gets into the garbage!!) So, yesterday when he started to gag and vomit clear mucus, I thought, here we go again. He also had diarrhea.(sp?) He was vomiting any water or food I offered and so as instructed previously, I took both away for several hours. I gave him a bit of water during the night and when I woke this morning, no vomit but some diarrhea. I gave him some cooked chicken, which he ignored. My plan was to call and make an appt for tomorrow if his appetite did not improve. I was petting him and noticed his skin was quite red and when I rolled him on his back was shocked to see his whole stomach was beet red! It looked like a really bad sunburn. I looked at a spot he'd had on his back two weeks ago that was like a pimple, just to check it had healed and squeezed with my fingers to see if had any pus in it (it didn't) and within seconds there was purple blotches of brusing where I had pinched!
So, I'm freaking out thinking, crap he has some blood disorder! (leukemia)
Took him to the vet who didn't seem as worried as me. He gave him fluids and an injection to settle his stomach, took bloodwork. I get the result tomorrow afternoon. I've attached a photo of his tummy.
He normally has really dry irritated skin but the redness almost looks like broken blood vessels. What are your thoughts???
Thanks,
Angela

Sorry, can't help, but I thought I could bump this up for you.

Wow I really haven't seen anything like that. Do you think it could be a severe allergic reaction to his food or something he ate?

I think it is an allergic reaction to whatever the vet gave him. My girlfriends yorkie had a similar reaction to a misdiagnosed issue with her dog. I would get a second opinion.

Angela 1617 ......... oh dear, that looks quite uncomfortable - almost looks like a burn - is it blistering at all? ........ please take wee Gavin to a second vet for a second opinion...... it almost looks like he's got into something ...... was he out in your yard or anywhere where he could have got his stomach in contact with anything?

Have you bathed him lately with different shampoo or rinse? What about his bedding ...... have you washed it in the last few days with strong soap or anything?

I'd be really worried too ......... please let us know how you make out.

These little four footers really need us to advocate for them and maybe the first vet just isn't all that interested ........ is he/she your regular vet?

What are you washing your floors with? It looks like one of my girls stomach where she had itched herself after I had used either PineSol or a bleach cleaner on the floor.

Om the second problem, I do not know but would get a second opinion. That is far from normal. For the gastrointestinal issues, whenever a pup gets into trash, there is a possibility of pancreatitis. This can lead to diabetes and can be fatal. Please talk to the vet about it.

Do you feed him table scraps? When my girl was younger we let her lick a plate of something that had onions in it and she got really sick over it. If you already know what you can't feed a dog then disregard this but, onions, garlic, raisins, and chocolate are really hard and toxic for them to eat. There are other things they can't handle but I thought that's my best guess as far as the diarhea and vomiting go. Good Luck.

Gavin
 

Thanks for all your replies. Gavin generally does have dry, sensitive skin. We can only use baby shampoo on him. My 14 yr old daughter usually baths him and I wondered if she didn't rinse him well enough. He only goes out to pee in a closed in pen I have, it's been -22 here so, he's out and right back in. I suppose its possible he's laid in something, maybe I'll give him a tepid bath today just to rinse him off. I am almost positive he has not gotten into the garbage lately because I've been very careful.
There is no blistering but what looks like petichea (sp) or tiny broken blood vessels. My vets are a husband and wife team. Generally, she is my vet but yesterday it was her husband.
This morning he's about the same. Tried to poop but nothing really left in there I think. His poop is very foul and dark brown/flourescent yellow.
I'm going to make him some chicken and rice and see if he'll have a bit.
I should have the blood results later today.

about Gavin
 

Sorry, but I don't get it, how is your Yorkie getting into Garbage? He could possibly get anything from garbage. I dont understand how you let him in garbage, my Yorkie gets nothing in her mouth except what I give her, how does that happen?

Gavin
 

Well, we have a large garbage can as I have three kids and seem to go through alot. (we recycle!!) When the garbage gets high enough we pull the bag up to accomodate. Gavin will wait til the middle of the night or when we leave and reach up and pull the bag until something falls out. This garbage can is 20 inches high. Usually, I either put him in his room when we leave or put the garbage away at night to prevent it. However, in a busy household, sometimes it gets missed. Sometimes, I am not home and kids do not pay attention.

That baby shampoo is probably contributing to the skin problems. Dogs need shampoo made for dogs not humans. Also, rinsing is the MOST IMPORTANT part of a bath. Let me make a couple of suggestions for shampoo & a rinse. Most of these will require a waiting time -where you shampoo & then wait 3-10 minutes before rinsing, then the conditioner will probably be the same way. So you want to make sure you have the bathing area really warm before you start the process.

Here's some excellent choices - this one was recommended by my holistic vet - this is the website for the shampoo, Phytoclens Herbal Shampoo - you can buy from them. natural herbal treatment - tomer laboratories - natural quality herbal remedies

I would definitely find a good shampoo -- this one contains:
PHYTOCLENS Herbal Shampoo

Phytoclens Himalayan Cedar Shampoo contains the natural essential oils of Himalayan cedarwood (Cedrus deodara) and Eucalyptus leaf oil (Eucalyptus globulus). Phytoclens use in a regular regimen promotes healthy skin and coat.

This is what I found about those ingredients
oils of Himalayan cedarwood
Cedarwood Himalayan Essential Oil, Cedarus Deodora

Eucalyptus leaf oil
Eucalyptus Globulus Essential Oil, Eucalyptus globulus

Or this is also a good choice for a shampoo & a rinse that will help dry skin
HyLyt Shampoo (8 oz) and this rinse Relief Creme Rinse - 8 oz

At the very least find a really good oatmeal shampoo.

Also, I would be sure to find a new place to keep the garbage, or to keep your furbaby separated from where the garbage is. Can the can go under the sink or with a lid that he can not open? What he is eating out of the garbage could kill him, or shorten his lifespan and very likely cost you in huge vet bills.

Peanut does not get the garbage but he will find anything that the kids or my husband leave.(napkins wrapers) Its not like this little one is being feed garbage.

Gavin
 

We've been using baby shampoo on him for years with no ill effects. It was the "dog" shampoo that made him itchy. It was specifically for Yorkies.
Maybe a more natural product would work. I will have a look at the ones you mentioned.
I just bought a new garbage can last week and instead of a step on flap lid, this one has a bubble lid with a sliding door. I'm hoping that this will stop him. I have a Lab and a Chihuahua and he's my only garbage picker. Vicki, I know what you mean, I have teenagers who leave half eaten plates of food and walk away. Gavin has jumped onto couches and then onto the tables to get whatever they left. He's a determined pup.
I have an open concept house, so putting up gates isn't an option.

Yeah my pulga is the same way; I get so mad at her! :mad: She is like a little vacuum cleaner and always ends up getting sick whenever she grabs something she shouldn’t: cables, napkins, dirt from the shoes, flies, anything! Also when we go for walks she is trying to pick stuff from the floor...such a bad dangerous habit

I hope Gavin gets better soon, that looks very uncomfortable :(

Chester has very sensitive skin, he looked just like that 2 days ago when they used tearless shampoo at pet smart and they had changed to a different brand. I rinsed him off well and used benadryl and they re shampooed him with my puppy tearless shampoo from bio groom, you are not using human shampoo are you is it a different ph, so it is not good, they do have sensitive skin dont they, poor babies.

That looks really sore. I hope the doctor can fix it up.

VET!!!! Call the vet!!!!!!

I hope Gavin will be alright!!!!!

:getwellso:hug::love-hug3:hands::goodluck::big_hug::hug60::ghug:Is there a way that Gavin could've come in contact with ice melter and laid on it or ate it?? Maybe it was on someone's shoes when they were outside and they brought it in the house and put it in the trash?? When I worked for the Vet this happened alot this time of year!! Try giving him chicken Baby Food, some rice or even Plain or Vanilla Yogurt to settle his stomach... I hope he feels better soon... Hugs to you all...

Gavin
 

Just an update, Gavin is feeling much better. He's had only chicken and rice and has not vomited or had diarrhea. I gave him a warm bath yestereday just to rinse off anything that might have come in contact with his skin. I have not heard from the vet about the blood results. I did call yesterday but they were not back yet.
His underbelly is still bright red. Around the top of his head near his ears, eyebrows are red too. He's not itchy. I'm going to wait to see the blood results and if they show nothing, then I will take him back and see what else they have to say.
We do use ice melter on our front walk, I doubt he would have ingested any and he has no access to the front walk as he only goes out to his pen for his bathroom needs.

Glad to hear that he is feeling better. But the redness to his skin is not normal - I'm glad it doesn't seem to be itching him. But something is not right - I would definitely have it checked by the vet this week

I am glad Gavin is feeling better, however the bright red on his skin is what is the concern. I would have guessed it was some type of allergic reaction too.
I have a young Yorkie who gets into everything all the time too, and it is nearly impossible to keep things from dropping on the floor in a busy household. things happen accidently . I would keep communicating with your vet and bring Gavin in again . Something is causing the redness that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Best wishes to you and Gavin. :aimeeyork

gavin
 

Gavin is not doing that well. He wouldn't eat for me this morning (chicken and rice) He's not drinking much. I have been giving him bits by syringe. He's shaky and lethargic. His tummy is still bright red, up around his neck and top of his head. I am going to take him in to the vet first thing tomorrow morning. You would think if he had an allergic reaction to something, he would be getting better by now. He had no fever so it can't be infection. It's so strange!

Poor baby! I hope he'll do better soon.

I know in humans, ingested allergic reactions can take up to 10 days to show up and last for awhile. I know I broke out in severe hives for a week after ingesting medicine I was allergic to. It's probably the same thing for dogs.

oh man i woulld be at the vet already...
I hope all goes well, keep us updated

Praying for Gavin....I know dogs get into a lot ...as a result we put our garbage can under the sink.....Please keep us updated on the little guy... Hugs for him...

Angela, I am so sorry that Gavin is still having problems. If it is an allergy it could be something so incredibly unusual -- I have even read about dogs being allergic to plastic. You said he ate yesterday - right? How big is he? It is so hard when the really little ones go without food for too long.

Does he happen to have fleas? Fleas over a long time can cause severe problems

I've been looking online for you - here are somethings I've found:


This might not be anything close, but her suggestion to ease any discomfort from the redness & bumps sound like good holistic treatment until you can get to the vet -- the Aloe Juice might even be good to let him drink a bit
Dogs: Red Stomach on My Dog, calendula cream, stabilized oxygen

(Q: Is it safe to give Aloe Gold, Aloe juice to dogs? I saw the Aloe Vera Plant listed under poisonous plants on an animal web site?
Yes, it is 100% safe to give to pets. Just start with 1 oz. and increase giving it in increments throughout the day. If diarrhea cut back. Dogs need about 1 oz. per 10 lbs of body weight to increase immune function. What is pretty ridiculous is dogs would never just start eating away on a whole Aloe Vera plant because it is toooo bitter. A little goes a long way. The plant is NOT toxic so they do not know what they are talking about as is the case when people are warned against Aloe Vera.)

This is also a good list of skin conditions - see the chart at the bottom of the page -- although you still need to see a vet - as we have no idea what he is dealing with
All about skin related problems & diseases in dogs, including natural treatments - Chinaroad Lowchens of Australia -

Skin Problems are common in dogs, find more information in our Pet Condition Guide at PetCareRx

Causes of Fluid-filled Bumps on the Skin of Dogs

NZYMES.COM Articles: Dog Skin and Hair Problems - Dog Shedding - Dog Hair Loss

Thank you Yorkiesmiles for helping Angela out!! That's what I like about YT, no one just sits there with their arms crossed, someone is always willing to help in some way.
Hope Gavin is feeling better!!

Please update us. I have been thinking and praying for your baby.

Hope the vet gives him something to stop the read.

I just found this thread. I am so sad, so good luck with your Baby.
Sending prayers so please keep us posted.