Please Help - Page 6 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Vinniedoggy · 10-11-2010, 02:03 PM

Vinnie suffered from a bout of pancreatitis years ago and it was horrible. He puked for days, had to be admitted to the hospital briefly, and it took a few weeks to clear up. His symptoms were similar to what you describe (vomiting, mucous in his stool, etc).

A few things to consider -

1. One of the things that REALLY helped Vinnie was switching to a raw diet. I feed him Nature's Variety raw medallions. They are great and perfectly balanced for a dog.

2. Vinnie did develop an intolerance to chicken for about 3 years. It's apparently really common in dogs.

3. You mentioned in one of your other posts giving your dog frozen yogurt. I used to do that with Vinnie, but realized it was making him sick. Sugar is a HUGE no-no for dogs, so they are better off getting plain, full-fat yogurt (with no sugar added).

4. For Vinnie, when he is having one of his bouts, Flagyl works wonders. You can get it from your vet.

I feel your pain re; the vet bills. I take my little guys to the vet all the time. I have VPI for one of them and Trupanion for the other. I earn a very decent salary, but even I'm sometimes amazed at the cost of our vet (especially here in the DC area). It's a reality that we have to face and I don't blame you at all for considering it, as it doesn't sound like you're being neglectful at all. I even think the same thing about my own doctor's visits these days, and I'm fortunate to have great insurance!

Anyway, some things I've found to help control the costs include:

-Asking upfront what things cost and deciding what things are the most important to be done;
-Doing a lot of preventative stuff at home, namely TOOTH BRUSHING. Yorkies are prone to having bad teeth. If you brush their teeth every night, however, you can save TONS of money. I know this from experience. Vinnie and Alex get their teeth brushed every night, NO EXCEPTIONS. I spend about $10/month on toothpaste and brushes for them.

-Feed raw. I really believe (based on my own experience and what I've read) that feeding raw can really keep dogs healthier. This is just based on my observations over the years, especially in dealing with Vinnie and now my new little guy. Our old dog, Guru, lived to the ripe old age of 17+. He was healthy right up to the end and I believe that part of that was due to the excellent home-cooked diet he had. Unfortunately, conventional pet food is not that healthy.

As for insurance - I've been moderately happy with VPI, although the premiums go up each year. I've yet to have any experience with Trupanion (other than paying the monthly premium), but their premiums don't go up. One thing to think about - once your dog turns 7 or so, you can't really switch companies too easily. So do your research for what works best for your budget.

armyvet717 · 10-11-2010, 03:50 PM

Thanks for the info Vinniedoggy. Most of the food I have been looking at is "all natural" no preservatives and stuff like that. I have not read too much on the raw diet, may be the Wife and I will look into it...

I just noticed something about Bailey... She did not drink yesterday or the day before. One of the reasons they gave her a fluid ball under her skin. Today, she has not drank at all, but is continuously going pee. I read that when they give fluids, it usually only lasts 24 hours if that. I put chicken broth in her water to entice her, but she refuses to drink it. She will, however, lick the condensation off my water bottle... Any ideas or suggestions... :s

lmperez · 10-11-2010, 04:29 PM

Maybe mix the low sodium chicken broth in her food mak it kind of soupy.

brendarash · 10-11-2010, 05:39 PM

Hope your little one is felling better real soon. I had a yorkie that when we went on vacation the dog sitter thought it was so nice to feed my poor little guy Ferdie chili, and she, ready for this, gave him the fat that she drained from the meat. When we returned a week later , I found my poor Baby so sick he could hardly walk. I ran him to the vet after being home for 5 minutes. Tests found pancreatitis. (sp) The vet said it was best for me not to eat,cook, ect around Ferdie because the smell of food gets his pancreas working and you want it to rest. I had to watch what he ate the number one thing is so FAT , or spice. That was when he was 10 yr.old and he passed at 19 yrs old.

I got the care Credit card, The insurance is good if she has no past medical problems.

Good luck

yorkieusa · 10-11-2010, 05:54 PM

To encourage mine to drink lots of water, I fill her bowl with some crushed ice and add water. She comes running every time. I'm sorry! That's the only suggestion I have. I always spoil mine so rotten! She doesn't like room temperature water anymore. She prefers the colder water - at least in the summer.

Breezeaway · 10-11-2010, 06:26 PM

Hope shes feeling better.
One thing you need to do is throw away the Rawhide. Rawhide is known to cause gastric problems and can cause acute pancreatitis.

ladyjane · 10-11-2010, 06:32 PM

Rawhide information:

Danger Rawhide

Dangers of rawhide chews

Dog Bone - LoveToKnow Dogs

That is just three links...if that is not enough for you, armyvet, then google it! There are tons of links with this information. Not something I would ever give to my pups!

armyvet717 · 10-11-2010, 08:50 PM

OMG!!! No one has eber told me about rawhide chews!!! Not even a VET!
She loves them too... Consider them G-O-N-E!!!
I am hoping she drinks tomorrow, if not I will try ice... She loves ice so may be that will entice her. I got the care card today, but am still looking at insurance. Leaning towards VPI or trupanion. We see the Vet Thursday, unless she does not start drinking, then I will get her in earlier. Thank you all so much for the info, care, and concern...

AllDogBoots · 10-12-2010, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armyvet717

OMG!!! No one has eber told me about rawhide chews!!! Not even a VET!
She loves them too... Consider them G-O-N-E!!!
I am hoping she drinks tomorrow, if not I will try ice... She loves ice so may be that will entice her. I got the care card today, but am still looking at insurance. Leaning towards VPI or trupanion. We see the Vet Thursday, unless she does not start drinking, then I will get her in earlier. Thank you all so much for the info, care, and concern...

Actually I did http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/3293910-post49.html
I never personally had a choking hazard with rawhide but I've heard so many nightmares.

yorkieusa · 10-12-2010, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

Actually I did http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/3293910-post49.html
I never personally had a choking hazard with rawhide but I've heard so many nightmares.

I had a choking emergency with Muffin when she was just maybe one or two. It's been too long ago now to remember. I was scared absolutely to death. I got it out of her. I never gave her another rawhide again. It was the end of a piece that she had chewed and was soft. They didn't have the healthy options then, either, like bully sticks.

ladyjane · 10-12-2010, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkieusa

I had a choking emergency with Muffin when she was just maybe one or two. It's been too long ago now to remember. I was scared absolutely to death. I got it out of her. I never gave her another rawhide again. It was the end of a piece that she had chewed and was soft. They didn't have the healthy options then, either, like bully sticks.

Actually bully sticks also carry hazards. Anything that cannot be given to a pup and left unattended tells me a lot! I don't like edible chews.

http://www.ehow.com/list_6655893_bul...gers-dogs.html

armyvet717 · 10-12-2010, 08:08 AM

Good morning all...
Slept in today with the baby by my side, snoring as usual...
Sitting here drinking my coffee with her bundled up sleeping again...
All but one of her raw hides is in the trash, the one I left is a large bone that she carries around trying to chew on, so far, no success. My Cousin bought them for his Heidi (Corgie) but Bailey just had to have one. Kind of funny watching her carry that huge thing around.
Now the bad: Still not drinking. SHe got up with Mom as usual, ate, and came back to bed with me. She still will not drink. She still pees, she pooped, but no drinking...

Going to try the ice, but it is pretty chilly this am, might try chicken broth/water mixture again as well... Good thing I have plenty that I made!! Could it be that she is getting wenough fluid from the rice/baby food mixture she is eating??? I would think it is not enough... Confused, so confused...

ladyjane · 10-12-2010, 08:50 AM

Yes, she could be getting enough water from the rice!

yorkieusa · 10-12-2010, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Actually bully sticks also carry hazards. Anything that cannot be given to a pup and left unattended tells me a lot! I don't like edible chews.

Bully Stick Dangers for Dogs | eHow.com

Yes, you are right about that. Now, when Muffin did that, we were right there. Of course, didn't know enough then to take the ends away from her. I let Kacee have bully sticks as a puppy, but I took any short ends away and tossed them. She quit chewing on anything after the got her permanent teeth, so I don't have that concern now. I don't think I would give a puppy anything edible to chew on, if I had another one. You learn a lot as the years pass.

AllDogBoots · 10-12-2010, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Actually bully sticks also carry hazards. Anything that cannot be given to a pup and left unattended tells me a lot! I don't like edible chews.

Bully Stick Dangers for Dogs | eHow.com

Thanks for the article. You use no edible chews?

10-11-2010, 02:03 PM	#76
Vinniedoggy YT Addict Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 280	Vinnie suffered from a bout of pancreatitis years ago and it was horrible. He puked for days, had to be admitted to the hospital briefly, and it took a few weeks to clear up. His symptoms were similar to what you describe (vomiting, mucous in his stool, etc). A few things to consider - 1. One of the things that REALLY helped Vinnie was switching to a raw diet. I feed him Nature's Variety raw medallions. They are great and perfectly balanced for a dog. 2. Vinnie did develop an intolerance to chicken for about 3 years. It's apparently really common in dogs. 3. You mentioned in one of your other posts giving your dog frozen yogurt. I used to do that with Vinnie, but realized it was making him sick. Sugar is a HUGE no-no for dogs, so they are better off getting plain, full-fat yogurt (with no sugar added). 4. For Vinnie, when he is having one of his bouts, Flagyl works wonders. You can get it from your vet. I feel your pain re; the vet bills. I take my little guys to the vet all the time. I have VPI for one of them and Trupanion for the other. I earn a very decent salary, but even I'm sometimes amazed at the cost of our vet (especially here in the DC area). It's a reality that we have to face and I don't blame you at all for considering it, as it doesn't sound like you're being neglectful at all. I even think the same thing about my own doctor's visits these days, and I'm fortunate to have great insurance! Anyway, some things I've found to help control the costs include: -Asking upfront what things cost and deciding what things are the most important to be done; -Doing a lot of preventative stuff at home, namely TOOTH BRUSHING. Yorkies are prone to having bad teeth. If you brush their teeth every night, however, you can save TONS of money. I know this from experience. Vinnie and Alex get their teeth brushed every night, NO EXCEPTIONS. I spend about $10/month on toothpaste and brushes for them. -Feed raw. I really believe (based on my own experience and what I've read) that feeding raw can really keep dogs healthier. This is just based on my observations over the years, especially in dealing with Vinnie and now my new little guy. Our old dog, Guru, lived to the ripe old age of 17+. He was healthy right up to the end and I believe that part of that was due to the excellent home-cooked diet he had. Unfortunately, conventional pet food is not that healthy. As for insurance - I've been moderately happy with VPI, although the premiums go up each year. I've yet to have any experience with Trupanion (other than paying the monthly premium), but their premiums don't go up. One thing to think about - once your dog turns 7 or so, you can't really switch companies too easily. So do your research for what works best for your budget. __________________ Andrea, Mom to Vinnie, Alex, and Guru

10-11-2010, 05:39 PM	#79
brendarash Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Shore of Maryland Posts: 375	Hope your little one is felling better real soon. I had a yorkie that when we went on vacation the dog sitter thought it was so nice to feed my poor little guy Ferdie chili, and she, ready for this, gave him the fat that she drained from the meat. When we returned a week later , I found my poor Baby so sick he could hardly walk. I ran him to the vet after being home for 5 minutes. Tests found pancreatitis. (sp) The vet said it was best for me not to eat,cook, ect around Ferdie because the smell of food gets his pancreas working and you want it to rest. I had to watch what he ate the number one thing is so FAT , or spice. That was when he was 10 yr.old and he passed at 19 yrs old. I got the care Credit card, The insurance is good if she has no past medical problems. Good luck __________________ Brenda Jackie,Sadie, Rosie, Julie and Sophie my other non yorkie fur babies Romeo Lillie and Sammie, Jessie, Callie, Cloie.

10-11-2010, 05:54 PM	#80
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 21,173	To encourage mine to drink lots of water, I fill her bowl with some crushed ice and add water. She comes running every time. I'm sorry! That's the only suggestion I have. I always spoil mine so rotten! She doesn't like room temperature water anymore. She prefers the colder water - at least in the summer. __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

10-11-2010, 06:32 PM	#82
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,490	Rawhide information: Danger Rawhide Dangers of rawhide chews Dog Bone - LoveToKnow Dogs That is just three links...if that is not enough for you, armyvet, then google it! There are tons of links with this information. Not something I would ever give to my pups! __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

10-12-2010, 08:50 AM	#88
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,490	Yes, she could be getting enough water from the rice! __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

10-11-2010, 03:50 PM	#77
armyvet717 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 49	Thanks for the info Vinniedoggy. Most of the food I have been looking at is "all natural" no preservatives and stuff like that. I have not read too much on the raw diet, may be the Wife and I will look into it... I just noticed something about Bailey... She did not drink yesterday or the day before. One of the reasons they gave her a fluid ball under her skin. Today, she has not drank at all, but is continuously going pee. I read that when they give fluids, it usually only lasts 24 hours if that. I put chicken broth in her water to entice her, but she refuses to drink it. She will, however, lick the condensation off my water bottle... Any ideas or suggestions... :s

10-11-2010, 04:29 PM	#78
lmperez YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: USA Posts: 600	Maybe mix the low sodium chicken broth in her food mak it kind of soupy.

10-11-2010, 06:26 PM	#81
Breezeaway No Longer a Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wildcat Country(KY) Posts: 2,114 Blog Entries: 26	Hope shes feeling better. One thing you need to do is throw away the Rawhide. Rawhide is known to cause gastric problems and can cause acute pancreatitis.

10-11-2010, 08:50 PM	#83
armyvet717 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 49	OMG!!! No one has eber told me about rawhide chews!!! Not even a VET! She loves them too... Consider them G-O-N-E!!! I am hoping she drinks tomorrow, if not I will try ice... She loves ice so may be that will entice her. I got the care card today, but am still looking at insurance. Leaning towards VPI or trupanion. We see the Vet Thursday, unless she does not start drinking, then I will get her in earlier. Thank you all so much for the info, care, and concern...

10-12-2010, 08:08 AM	#87
armyvet717 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 49	Good morning all... Slept in today with the baby by my side, snoring as usual... Sitting here drinking my coffee with her bundled up sleeping again... All but one of her raw hides is in the trash, the one I left is a large bone that she carries around trying to chew on, so far, no success. My Cousin bought them for his Heidi (Corgie) but Bailey just had to have one. Kind of funny watching her carry that huge thing around. Now the bad: Still not drinking. SHe got up with Mom as usual, ate, and came back to bed with me. She still will not drink. She still pees, she pooped, but no drinking... Going to try the ice, but it is pretty chilly this am, might try chicken broth/water mixture again as well... Good thing I have plenty that I made!! Could it be that she is getting wenough fluid from the rice/baby food mixture she is eating??? I would think it is not enough... Confused, so confused...