Troubles with #2...

[Sherri82]

I have a lovely 2 1/2 month old female yorkie. Her name is Basil. She has been having terrible problems with going #2. She strains, wimpers, cries, tries, tries some more, and tries again and nothing. At the end of the day she will finally be able to go "alot" but she will yelp righ before it come out. She seems to be a bit tender on her bum. I do try to keep her clean down there, but it seems to get dirty and stinky quickly. We have been to the vet, got shots and I explained all this the the vet. She say's it is normal for Yorkies to have problems with #2. But not only is it #2, it is keeping her bum clean from poo. Any suggestions? I can really use the info.

[Maximo]

Welcome to YorkieTalk. How much does your baby weigh? The smaller the pup, the more vigilant you will have to be in gently cleaning the anal area. You may have to do it up to a few times a day.

Straining that much to poop is not normal. What kind of food do you feed her? Does she drink an adequate amount of water? Did the vet check her anal glands? If the anus is red and/or swollen, she probably has full glands that are making eliminating painful. The other possibility is that her poops are too firm, which may require a diet change.

[Sherri82]

My baby weighs a lovely 2 1/2 pounds. She will be 3 months old on February 1st. I am very gentle with cleaning her, I do no like to hear her in pain. She has been getting treated for a yeast infection with a medicated shampoo. I though she had freakles, but the vet said nope it is a yeast infection. So it is almost 100% better! Right now she is eating a diet of Pedigree puppy complete nutrition with lamb and rice. Mixed in with some green beans and water. Should I start giving her dry food to harden the stool? It is soft. She drinks a good amount of water. After a long walk and lots of running at the park she will come home and slurp it up! The vet did check her anal glands, and we did have them cleaned out, cause she was scooting a lot. Her anus isn't red it is a bit swollen, but I think it is from her pushing to poo. What diet would you recommend? I am very new to this. I want my Bay to get better. I am going back to the vet with her Monday to have the vet take another look. We are being treated for distepmer and dewormer and heartguard. No fleas. Thankfully! Lol! I appreciate all you help!

[Maximo]

I bet her pain and problems with pooping are loose stools, which don't empty the anal glands. Then the glands fill up and the scooting and pain return. Although the vet emptied the glands, they fill up again rapidly.

I would recommend replacing the green beans with baby sweet peas. This should firm up her stools and help express the glands naturally and hopefully put an end to her problems. Use frozen, no salt added peas. Microwave in a bit of water and then cool with cold water before serving. Start with half a teaspoon.

Keep up with cleaning her little rear end.

You may also want to consider a different food. Is the Pedigree you are feeding a canned food? I would go with kibble and choose another brand. Need to add: switch slowly!

Hope this helps.

[AprilLove]

At 10 weeks old, I would be very concerned with taking her to a park and running around so much outside where she can catch a whole host of things that are not good. She is still so very young.

When cleaning her behind, scent free baby wipes are a good alternative. After ruling out any medical issues with your vet, a higher quality food would be a good start. But don't switch foods suddenly or often as that can cause intestinal stress (poopy problems) as well. There should be a sticky here in the health and diet section on good quality food brands. http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...e-samples.html

One other note, if your vet said it is common for Yorkies to have issues with number #2, it sounds like they aren't really sure what to do and don't know alot about small breeds. No offense, but I would look for another vet, especially if she is that uncomfortable.
What are they using to treat the yeast infection? Did her problems start after that or has she been straining since you got her (when did you bring her home?)

ps: welcome to YT, hope you'll browse around and find loads of good info to help you with your new baby

[kjc]

Hi and Welcome to YT!

You could also try a 1/2 teaspoon of canned pumpkin (not the pie mix), with each meal and yes, I would gradually switch to a better quality kibble.

Also, a small dab of Vasaline or even a triple antibiotic ointment directly on her anus might help.

And I agree... a new vet may be a great option...

[Sherri82]

Thank you all so much for your help! The vet I go to is from the SPCA. She deals with dogs everyday. I just wanted to help out the sheltered animals since I bought her. She has had problems with #2 since I brought her home. The food she eats is the brand she was weaned too. She was 8 weeks old when I brought her home. I looked at her bum today and I think her right gland os swollen. It does look red today. We are using nonscented baby wipes to clean her. Her yeast infection was their when I got her. I thought she had freckles. They medicated shampoo is called pharmaceb shampoo. I use it twice a week and leave it on her for 10 minutes at a time and lather it all around her very gentle. Today too, I noticed a stink coming from her bum, and it has liquid coming out. Unfortunitly I am not off till monday so I am keeping it clean and keeping an eye on it. I just want my baby to get better, and not have a constantly dirty bum, and stinky bum, and sore bum. And probelms with that area.

[Sherri82]

What do you all use to feed your yorkies?

[Maximo]

Has she had a bowel movement today and was it soft or firm? Did she cry or yelp today? Sounds like her anal glands are full again. The concern is that if it is bad enough, it could rupture.

I would definitely discontinue the green beans. Many Yorkies benefit from them, but some don't. My boys have loose stools when I give them one small piece. That is why I prefer the peas.

KJC had a great suggestion with the pumpkin. Buy the canned, *plain* pumpkin and give her a teaspoon.

I also agree with AprilLove and KJC's suggestion to find a new vet, preferably one with small dog experience. Some SPCA vets are better than others. It is very thoughtful of you to want to support them, but I would look elsewhere.

AprilLove linked the thread with premium food suggestions. PetCo and PetSmart carry some premium foods. If you have a pet specialty shop in your area, you will find an even greater assortment.

[Sherri82]

She has only had a little bit of a bowel movement. Nothing like she should. I will stop the green beans. The smell is like an infection. I dread going to work tomorrow, but how else will I pay the vet. I am going to look around and see if any are open when I get out at 3. If not first thing in the am monday I will be having her in tow. I will keep everyone informed on her status. I just prey she can get over this.

[Maximo]

How is she behaving? Is she showing signs of abdominal discomfort? Were you able to pick up some canned plain pumpkin (not the pie filling) or peas?

As KJC suggested, you could put a little Vaseline on her rear end.

[Maximo]

Really sounds like your baby needs her glands expressed again. I would be too nervous to do it at home on such a little one. The risk of waiting is that the gland will rupture, as indicated above. I hope it isn't that bad and that you can get your baby in to see someone.

[SWEETIEPIE]

I hope that your little puppy will feel better soon, I hope that you can find a good vet asap. This is such an awsome YT, so much great information.
Good luck!

[Sherri82]

Hello everyone. We were at the vets via to me emergency. The vets did lots to her to check if she had blockage, if her stoll had blood, or worms. She does have what they call a baby diaper rash. Which is making things prety sore back their. How she got the rash no clue. They said to treat it with goldbond medicated powder. So off to the store to get some. Also not to feed her dry food, just wet food. No more green beans or pumpkin. Just let her eat normal regular food. No extra fiber to help make her stool firmer. It has been wicked loose. No diarhea, but soft enough to make her have problems. So partly her situation is me figuring her out. She is hyper and active today and all sorts of cute! We gave her an enema yesterday and that helped her out termendously! She is resting quietly in her kennel now. Eating and drinking plenty of water. The vet said if she gets backed up again to bring her in and they will do more exams. Her upper intestine has hard stool in it which is causing her to strain to get it out of there. She is going to be ok though! Thank god! Will keep you posted with her progress!

[Maximo]

Glad to hear you went to the vet and that your little girl is feeling better. I hope you can get her system regulated and put an end to these problems.

Best wishes and keep us updated.