When to call the vet?

[stacey79]

I'm a bit worried about my dog. Here's the deal. He's an almost 2-year-old Lhasa Apso, who we love dearly. About two weeks ago, we changed his dog food. It's still the same brand (Eukenuba), but a slightly different formula. I mixed it in with his old food and then switched completely last week. He's eating it OK.

However, off and on for the last week or so he's had an upset stomach. Not severely. He did vomit once, but other than that, his stomach just makes noises. He's a bit extra sensitive, so when that happens, he gets really clingy. It's sweet, but it also worries me. I've checked outside to make sure (once again) there's nothing he can get into to eat. I'm not seeing anything and trying to keep an eye on him.

He's still eating relatively normally. His energy seems a bit lower than usual, but not horribly so. I'm just wondering if I need to go ahead and call the vet or try switching back to his other food and see if that resolves everything. I"m going to go buy some today either way. I'm just worried with all the stuff I've read lately. He's our first dog we've had as adults and we don't have kids, yet, so I really try to NOT be the overprotective puppy mom, but I can't help it. Any suggestions?

[leelee88]

If you have any doubt I would call the vet... My dogs are like my kids If I am questionable about whats wrong I always contact a doctor or vet...

[SharonA]

This is going to sound "nasty", but if you do decide to take him to his vet, try to get a sample of his vomit. It will help the vet decide what may be causing his stomach to expel what is in it. You can scrape it into a plastic food bag and put it in the fridge. Just make sure you label it with the dog's and your names. Wouldn't want to get it mixed up with last night dinner.

[tigger_gal]

eeww sharon

As a doggy lover myself, when I tried to switch my dogs food, Bear, got sick on me the other 2 were fine. I too mixed it. I would like to say its just the food, but it might be a good idea to call and get a vets opinion.

[ICNDonna]

My motto for family (and pets are family): "If in doubt, check it out." I suggest you call your vet.

Donna

[stacey79]

I did go ahead and call the vet. They think it is the food switch, too. They told me to give him a 1/2 tsp. of Pepto Bismol and take his food away until this evening. I'm going to switch him back to the original food as well. She said to still mix it in like I did when I was getting him used to the newer food. Poor guy.

He's not so keen on the Pepto. I ended up using a dropper to give it to him and he wasn't thrilled. Now he has a bit of a pink tinge to his beard. Kinda cute! Hopefully he'll start feeling better soon. He seems to be perking up a bit, actually.

Thanks for all your input. I'm glad I didn't end up having to collect any specimens...

[dancemomof2]

Glad you called the vet. Better to be safe then sorry.

[SharonA]

Good news. I hope he gets better quickly. I'm happy that you didn't, too. YUCK!

[stacey79]

The Pepto Bismol seemed to help some on Tuesday. But he's still not completely himself. His stomach was making all sort of gas noises yesterday. We took him to the vet yesterday afternoon and he said everything was fine. He suggested that we continue with the old food and give him some Dygel (sp?) to help with the gas for now. He said a half a Tums twice a day would also work if we prefer. I'm going to get out later today and get the Dygel for him. Poor guy. He's still moping, but not as much. We went to visit my parents last night and my great-aunt and uncle who are in town this week. He had a good time playing with them, but would come curl up in my lap every so often. TOnight we are going to my in-laws. THey have his brother from the same litter, which I know will cheer him up.

[Briza]

The antibiotic Flagyl has saved 2 of my dogs when they were vomting and had gastric distress. It wouldn't hurt to try. I know food changes can cause some gastric problems, but I would be worried if my pets were acting sick, not just a little diarrhea from changing the food, and it seems like you did that in the appropriate way. I would want to have my pets treated with an antibiotic.
Also,since all of the dog/cat food contamination scare, I have changed my dog's & cat's food to Solid Gold. It's all natural/organic and not that expensive for a specialty food. I buy it at a pet grooming place in town.
Hope your pup is feeling better soon.

[stacey79]

Well, Buckles stomach has settled down, but he's still been a little more clingy than usual. I took him to be groomed this morning and figured out why. They found two or three fleas on him. I planned to buy the flea stuff while I was in there today anyway.

Like I said, he's a little sensative. So, trying to be a good puppy mom, when we got home, I let him go out to the bathroom then brought him in to put on the $16 tube of stuff from the vet. Since I only bought one dose at a time, I didn't get directions. Well, evidently the tube suctioned to his skin, so the medicine didn't actually release until I was pulling it away. Now he has a greasy spot on his shoulder blades. Ugh. Hopefully it will at least still work and not be $16 spent in vain. Last year I bought stuff at the pet store and got like three tubes for only $5 or $6. Even though he didn't have any problems last year, I thought the vet stuff might be better. What a time we're having.

But, the good news is they didn't shave his ears. When I took him in before CHristmas, they misunderstood what I was asking for and cut the fur off his ears. I literally sat in the car and sobbed. It was a difficult week anyway. I guess a greasy spot isn't all that bad...