Little Alfie is unwell

[Lorrainelola]

Alfie is 11 months old, I have had him since he was 8 weeks old.
|He is always jumping around, trotting around, a happy contented and well behaved dog. He plays perfectly with our 2 German Shepherds and loves everyone and every dog he meets.

Yesterday afternoon one of the German shepherds decided to take her bed into the garden and tear it up. I wondered at the time if Alfie had eaten any.

Just before tea about 5pm alfie was shaking and very listless, he wouldn't eat his tea and at around 7pm was sick. We had him in our bed last night to keep an eye on him and he was so restless. when he has been on our bed before he settles immediately and doesn't move all night. Hubby took him downstairs this morning and he was sick straight away. We didn't even offer him his breakfast, he was drinking, although not much.

I rang the emergency vet who said if he is sick 3 times or more then it means there is a problem and to just keep him quiet and encourage him to drink. He was sick again and we took him to the vet, its Bank holiday here in the Uk so we couldn't see our usual vet.

He said that alfie wasn't dehydrated which was good and asked if he had been coughing, and it came to us that yes he had been coughing a bit over the last few days. The vet said that when he touched his throat it was tender as it made him cough. He gave him an injection to stop the sickness, one antibiotic and one anti inflammatory. He said if he had got foam in his stomach it should pass and foam breaks down in the stomach. He could have an infection in his throat or it could be something else.

After remortaging to pay the bill we came home and alfie has slept since, about 3 hours so far. I keep trying to get him to lick water from my fingers but after about three goes he's had enough. He is just so tired. The vet said his heart was ok his temperature was ok. So I suppose its a case of waiting to see what happens. If he deteriorates then I wont hesitate to take him back whatever the cost. He is insured and we will be able to claim some back.

Its just so horrible when they are unwell and out of character.

[kjc]

I hope little Alfie feels better soon... shaking and restlessness can be a sign of pain... I'd watch for any bloating also... I hope the foam wasn't toxic...

I'll keep Alfie in my prayers....

[KJLive]

Awww...I hope Alfie is feeling better in no time. It is so hard on us when they are sick. Keep us posetd!

[Lorrainelola]

Alfie wouldn't eat his tea again last night and spent another night in bed with us. He certainly wasn't as restless and had a long sleep.

I brought him down this morning and he went straight out to do his pee pee. When the bowls were clanging for the 2 German shepherd's breakfast, Alfie seemed more alert. I gave him scrambled egg and he ate about a tablespoon before getting fed up of it, but I know little and often is better if they haven't eaten for a few days and have been sick.

He definately seems more alert today and he is actually moving around, he isn't into playaing with the other dogs and when that happens I know it means he is ok. I shall watch him very carefully again today but its nice to see him mooching about on his own again and not stuck to my lap asleep.

I didn't know that shaking could be a sign of pain so thank you for that.
Alfie says thank you for taking the time to think about him when there are so many very very sick yorkies out there needing our thoughts and prayers also.

Much love to you all
Lorraine x

[kjc]

Glad that Alfie is improving. I don't know about anything 'across the pond', but in the states 'tea' is not considered an apropriate drink for Yorkies. Their tummies are so delicate, especially when they're not feeling well. A better drink for him would be filtered water.

Also, when tummy upsets occur, vets here normally recommend a bland diet, like boiled chicken (no fat, skin, bones, cartilage, or gravy) and plain white rice. You can make a batch and refrigerate it for 3 days or so, (about a cup of chicken with a cup of rice) and scoop some out to feed. I add a bit of boiling water to bring it to room temperature.

If he is constipated or having difficulty moving his bowels, you could add a teaspoon of plain canned pumpkin (not Pumpkin Pie mix). Pumpkin helps either way, with constipation and diarrhea. Strange, I know, but it works. May help him to pass any foam still in his system. Green/string beans also will help to ease bowel movements.

I truly hope that I have not offended you by telling you not to give Alfie tea. I understand that drinking tea is a major part of the culture in England, and that many do give it to their dogs. But it really isn't good for them.

Keeping you and Little Alfie in my thoughts and prayers.... Kathy

[Lorrainelola]

Originally Posted by kjc

Glad that Alfie is improving. I don't know about anything 'across the pond', but in the states 'tea' is not considered an apropriate drink for Yorkies. Their tummies are so delicate, especially when they're not feeling well. A better drink for him would be filtered water.

Also, when tummy upsets occur, vets here normally recommend a bland diet, like boiled chicken (no fat, skin, bones, cartilage, or gravy) and plain white rice. You can make a batch and refrigerate it for 3 days or so, (about a cup of chicken with a cup of rice) and scoop some out to feed. I add a bit of boiling water to bring it to room temperature.

If he is constipated or having difficulty moving his bowels, you could add a teaspoon of plain canned pumpkin (not Pumpkin Pie mix). Pumpkin helps either way, with constipation and diarrhea. Strange, I know, but it works. May help him to pass any foam still in his system. Green/string beans also will help to ease bowel movements.

I truly hope that I have not offended you by telling you not to give Alfie tea. I understand that drinking tea is a major part of the culture in England, and that many do give it to their dogs. But it really isn't good for them.

Keeping you and Little Alfie in my thoughts and prayers.... Kathy

Oh bless you. When I said tea I meant his evening meal. Here in the UK we refer to the evening meal as tea although some say dinner. Others say dinner instead of lunch and therefore say tea for the evening meal. We can be a strange lot here in the UK and oh yeas how we love our tea lol. I don't give Alfie anything but water. I have some chiken which i will boil and try him with that shortly. He is trying to hump the male german shepherd's tail so I would say that Alfie is feeling a whole lot better. Thank you so much for your kind words
Lorraine x

[kjc]

Originally Posted by Lorrainelola

Oh bless you. When I said tea I meant his evening meal. Here in the UK we refer to the evening meal as tea although some say dinner. Others say dinner instead of lunch and therefore say tea for the evening meal. We can be a strange lot here in the UK and oh yeas how we love our tea lol. I don't give Alfie anything but water. I have some chiken which i will boil and try him with that shortly. He is trying to hump the male german shepherd's tail so I would say that Alfie is feeling a whole lot better. Thank you so much for your kind words
Lorraine x

I'll have to print this out so I can remember....lol. Normally we don't like to see humping, but Wow! That's great! Sounds like he's doing fine!

[KJLive]

Originally Posted by Lorrainelola

Oh bless you. When I said tea I meant his evening meal. Here in the UK we refer to the evening meal as tea although some say dinner. Others say dinner instead of lunch and therefore say tea for the evening meal. We can be a strange lot here in the UK and oh yeas how we love our tea lol. I don't give Alfie anything but water. I have some chiken which i will boil and try him with that shortly. He is trying to hump the male german shepherd's tail so I would say that Alfie is feeling a whole lot better. Thank you so much for your kind words
Lorraine x

(chuckling) I actually knew what you meant! I work for a British company here in the USA. They are based out of Leicester. I also have some very dear friends in Derby. I am with kjc in that we normally don't like humping behaviour but we're glad to hear little Aflie is participating. It means he's probably feeling better.

[Lorrainelola]

Alfie ate half a chicken breast and clearly wanted more but I didn't want to overload his little tummy all in one go. Re the (don't mention the word beginning with H) but for some reason he only does it to our male german shepherd. Alfie has been neutered and doesn't do it to anything or anyone else. He is a gay dog I guess and only has eyes for our Scooter.

He is so much better tonight.

Just to recap we have breakfast, lunch and dinner or breakfast dinner and tea and we have elevenses at about 10.30 am lol

[Sammy Mommy]

So glad that Alfie is feeling better. It's very scary when our babies aren't well.

[kjc]

Got it... I think! So glad Alfie's on the mend... My 13 year old male Yorkie (neutered) humps my male cat all the time... like Alfie he doesn't bother anything or anybody else! Too funny! At least Alfie is staying with the right species! I think mine even thinks he's a cat sometimes!

[Lorrainelola]

Alfie was back to the vets first thing this morning. He has been eating boiled chicken and not being sick but its the 'other end' where the problem is now. Tablets and paste and special food from the vet. He's happy in himself though.

[luvfla]

I'm happy to hear Alfie is feeling better.

Sometimes Keegan will stop eating for a few days and seem kind of listless....maybe he thinks he's getting fat so he is fasting! LOL

[Lorrainelola]

Originally Posted by luvfla

I'm happy to hear Alfie is feeling better.

Sometimes Keegan will stop eating for a few days and seem kind of listless....maybe he thinks he's getting fat so he is fasting! LOL

Dont we just love them so much. Its such a worry when they are not themselves. Alfie is sleepy today but it is warm so I think he's just enjoying the weather while he gets better. When I saw warm thats probably cold to some of you but for english weather its warm

[ally173]

Originally Posted by Lorrainelola

Dont we just love them so much. Its such a worry when they are not themselves. Alfie is sleepy today but it is warm so I think he's just enjoying the weather while he gets better. When I saw warm thats probably cold to some of you but for english weather its warm

glad to see he's doing beter; which food is he on. when feeding a bland diet like chicken; you should also add some rice. as chicken alone can be very rich ; high in protein and phosphurus. good luck