I need your help!!
I have thougth so much about this, my husband and have thought and discussed the possibilities, but we come up empty. So I thought maybe if I posted here we could all think about it and maybe come up with a reasonable explanation.
Not sure if you all remember Ruger getting pretty ill awhile back, diarreah and vomitting and the blood, I rushed him to the vet in a panic, (the vet I might add was a complete Jack A$$) all of his tests came back neagtive and normal. He was put on meds for the pudding butt, and boiled chicken and rice for food for a few days. Recovered was fine. Well on the 5th and 6th we went through it again, I figured it was because he made himself sick with worry over all the big booms of the fireworks.
After he felt better I started the switch to Chicken Soup adult, Matilda, Ruger, and Kimber. THey seemed to love it but after three days of a gradual switch they ALL three got the mud butt. So Kimber went back to just CS puppy, and Ruger and MAtilda just Nutro. Tomorrow they will be switching to Taste of The Wild. Wish me luck!
Now my problem. I was awoken at 615 this morning to Kimber whining and carrying on. I came down and the whole main floor reeked of POO. And she was also throwing up, could’ve been the smell as I about heaved with her. So out we went for her to go potty and me to clean her bed and kennel. She threw up one more time and pooed a couple of times.
Now I have two dogs that do this out of the blue! There is nothing in my yard. I have grass and rocks, and planters with petunias. We take them out personally to watch them EVERY potty. We have hawks, and we wont chance that.
So what we are trying to figure out is what in the world could possibly make them get sick.
The only two things we can come up with on our own, is thier water bowl is filled every morning with fresh water that comes from the house, however its out of a hose. Could what ever they made the hose with make them sick? The other and this one makes me scared as hell, is what if someone is throwing something in my yard? Who would want to do that? I know it happens, and my doxies do bark when the neighbors come out, but they are quickly told to stop and to go in. They arent used to having neighbors so it is new to them. And we all know doxies bark. I have a call into my vet. I left a message for them to call when they open. We thought it was Rugers nerves but now its happening to Kimber. And I am worried. It is always one bout and then they are fine, but for it to happen this many times, and to have NEVER happened in our old house it makes me wonder.
So if you all could maybe give me some suggestions, something to check for. All are up to date with vaccines. I am just at a blank here. So anything at all would be helpful. Oh and if you cant think of anything could you send up a little prayer for my babies. I worry so much about them. And i just have no idea what could be causing this.
Also Kimber is in heat, she has been kenneled alot more than uaual as she is bleeding and will NOT NOT NOT wear the panties, well she does wear them for about 30 seconds. SO i am sure she hasnt gotten into anything in the house.
Thanks for anything you can come up with.
Kendra and The Corky’s Gang
July 16, 2008 @ 10:05 am
Not sure if this helps or not, but what kind of house did you move in to? Is it an older home? If it is, maybe its possible that there is lead based paint in the home. That is the only thing that pops in my head right now. I hope that everyone gets better!!!
July 16, 2008 @ 10:10 am
Also, was the yard recently sprayed for bugs? how about the house - was it treated for insects? Maybe there is a residue left over. I doubt if it is the food. Could they have picked up some sort of parasite? I hope you and your Vet figure it out soon. We are praying for you here.
July 16, 2008 @ 10:18 am
So sorry to hear your babies are not feeling well Kendra. I know it must be very scary for you.
I would go to a different vet from the Jacka$$ and make sure he does not just give you a pat answer to feed them boiled chicken and rice and send you home.
There is definitely something they are either being exposed to or eating that is making them so sick now that two of your babies are involved.
I would not put it past insensitive neighbors or people to throw something into your yard as some people are very intolerant of dogs that bark.
Make sure your vet is aware that food poisoning could be a possibility.
I will send out a prayer that your vet figures this out and that your babies will be ok and feel better soon.
Bette and Baxter
July 16, 2008 @ 10:25 am
Do you know if the carpet has been cleaned recently? You might try steam cleaning in case there is something on/in it.
July 16, 2008 @ 10:27 am
Thanks Everyone. Its brand new house so no lead paint, we havent sprayed for anything as Rosie is still nursing.
Bette I never went back to that vet and I made it very WELL known how i felt about him. They reccommended the chicken and rice til his tummy calmed down as it is bland. He only had it for three days before i started mixing his food in it til it replaced it completly, my new vet is awesome and I know will be much more sensitive to Ruger and to me.
You know all but one of my niehgobrs have dogs, the one direcly behind me is the only one that doesnt and they are really great people. He has met them and talks to them when they bark at him.
Ok I take that back my right next door neighobr just lost her chichi wa wa a month or so ago. So i have two that dont. And like I said I never just leave them out to bark, they are told to stop and taken in. Thank again!
July 16, 2008 @ 10:30 am
There is a possibility that it could be the water. We seldom use tap water and Cimarron gets filtered or bottled.(We have chlorine that you can smell!) Hope that youi get the problem solved
July 16, 2008 @ 11:13 am
Kendra drinking out of the garden hose is a definite health risk for kids and puppies as well. Here is a link to why - of course you never in a millions years would have thought it could be this way.
Laura
http://www.independent.com/news/2008/mar/27/garden-hoses-safety/
July 16, 2008 @ 11:30 am
Ok so thought some more. we moved in January, and the more i think about it the only thing that has changed since then is the hose! We had to buy a new hose and we got it right before Ruger got sick the first time. BUT Matilda has not got sick, and Kimber is just now getting sick. I am at a loss!! Anyone else with an idea?
July 16, 2008 @ 11:44 am
Hello Kendra!!!! I am sending up some warm puppy prayers for you and your babies! This may sound silly and may sound confusing…but…you know how the hose kind of sits over night and the water can lay in it…maybe it is the water that is still sitting from the day before. I know that they are hung up and all, but sometimes the water can still lay in the hose throughout the curves and things. Do you know what I mean? Sorry if that is so confusing. Maybe if you ran the hose first for a few minutes to get the “old” water out. I know that they aren’t all sick from it…but maybe Ruger and Kimber are just more sensitive. I know that I have some that are more sensitive than others. Please give all your babies a hug and kiss from me.
~Heidi
July 16, 2008 @ 12:16 pm
Gosh, that really is a puzzle! I think the water sitting in the hose theory is possible. I was also thinking - Maybe they are eating worms in the grass or some other new bug in your new backyard. I know we had a lot of beetles here this year and our little guy would chase them and we would try to make sure he didn’t eat them. Regardless, we hope everyone feels better real soon!!
July 16, 2008 @ 12:34 pm
Hey Kendra!
I think it is the switching of the foods. CS is a very rich food. My step mom tried it with her little guys and it gave them the poopy’s too. If I read it right, you switched them then switched them to something else. CS also gave a few of my guys muddy poop when I first switched them over. Could be the food was to rich for them.
I would give them all a tsp of pepto! It works wonders for upset tummies!
July 16, 2008 @ 12:49 pm
Thank you again. We do run the hose for that reason so its nice and fresh.
Tia I started the gradual switch they got mud butt so i quit the switch, and they continued back to thier regualar food. Now the CS puppy, Kimber had been on, she just couldnt handle the Adult, LOL no one could. They havent had the CS Adult since the 7 th of July. Uggh! I am still as a loss. I really do appreciate the replies and idea, I knew if i came here with this I would get more than what we could think of! Thanks Again!!
July 16, 2008 @ 2:29 pm
A couple more longshots just to be aware of: Does your house have new carpet? Some carpets give off toxic fumes for the first few years. Especially when the air gets warmer. Also, there was a news story a few weeks ago about Petfood wharehouses being unsanitary(rats, mice, feces, etc.) I think Petco was the big offender. Goodluck with your babies. I hope you get it figured out.
Tom
July 16, 2008 @ 3:26 pm
Kendra, I have no solution to offer, just wanted to let you know you all are in our thoughts and prayers. I know it’s so hard on you. I do wish I could come up with something for you to check out.
Hugs, Sherry
July 16, 2008 @ 4:43 pm
Hello,
New here and just wanted to offer up an idea related to the water. I have relatives that live in the Cleveland area (I am from NYC). If we drink the water in Cleveland our reaction is the same as your pups. Some area water supplies have algae and the like which can effect those not accustomed to same. I would talk to the neightbors about your water supply and maybe even have it tested for contamination. I would think the dogs would be more sensative to it than humanfolk. Perhaps they are your canaries for something you need to watch out for? Hope all improve in health and spirit.
Fare well, db
July 16, 2008 @ 10:12 pm
How about cleaning supplies? Do you use polish on your floor or furniture? What about toilet cleaner? Laundry detergent? Any of those ‘nice’ smelling things could temp a little one to lick a drop up off the floor.
New house? How about new furniture? Something that had been put on the couch or chairs to keep them looking new? (By you or the company selling them)
Could just be something in the ground, I know ours find favorite places to dig/sniff/chew. I don’t know why one spot would be better then another but they tell me it is. Speaking of that, maybe someone poured something out in the yard (say, old paint cleaner when they were cleaning up).
None of these idea’s would be easy to find. One thought would be to start restricting them from an area. Go through/over/under that area looking for anything that is a possibility. Also watch to see if any of them get sick.
It is possible that someone is throwing something in your yard but I tend to think that is the less likely cause. (I tend to trust most people, but I have found things (MacD left overs) in my yard). I also don’t suspect the hose, but that is easy and cheap to replace with a totally different type. I really think it is probably going to go away before you find the problem, or you will eventually find the connection to something you had seen but never connected to the problems.
Look for anything that is different in your new house, supplies, furniture, or anything.
Good luck
July 17, 2008 @ 3:16 am
Can thay get at the tolit bool,do your kids give them treet’s when you are not around or you got a cat or any new pet’s Do you get your water from the town or a well. (Some town’s add things to there water suply ask the town then call the old town and ask them thay may be different….
Just a small question why a hose no indoor pluming???? (Just kidding)
good luck Buddythedoxie
Oh you have a new house what jkind if pipes carey the water…
July 17, 2008 @ 11:08 am
I use vinegar water to clean the hard wood, they arent allowed upstairs where there is the new carpet, (stairs=back issues)My laundry room is gated off (newPuppies) cleaning supplies are UP in a closet, LOL they cant reach the toliet bowl water. WE have the same furnitue except our daughter got her a big girl bed so she got a new mattress, again upstairs.
Our water comes from town, they have been drinking it for 6 months,
And very funny Buddy about no indoor plumbing, we use a hose to fill thier outdoor water bowl. The pipes are PVC.
I am so greatful for all of the responses, it got me looking in other directions. This doesnt happen all the time but frequent enough to wonder and worry. YOu all are so great and I dont know what I would do with out you!!!
Thank you,
Kendra and The MudButt Gang
July 17, 2008 @ 12:28 pm
Had another thought regarding your problem……………… You mentioned that you had flowers planted outside. How are they planted? If they are in a cocoa mulch basket liner that mulch can be quite toxic to dogs. Good luck with your doxies.
Cimmysmom
July 17, 2008 @ 10:26 pm
You may be storing the cleaning supplies up high, but there could be drops down to their level when you are using them. Or take something like furniture polish, you polish and an hour later they lick it. Any chance you are using different cleaning supplies then before? Maybe need something new that you didn’t need before?
Toilet bowl, they may not be able to get in to drink the water but you probably wipe off the outside of the bowl.
The flowers are a good target to look at. Someone mentioned the mulch, how about bird poop around them? Or maybe some sort of bug on the flowers?
Our little ones love, LOVE, rabbit poop. Little balls hidden down in the grass. I didn’t think we could get rabbits in our fence with 7 dogs running the yard but they do come in and leave their sign.
The part that bothers me the most about your problems is the blood. Throwing up and the runs are probably just eating something that doesn’t settle right. But blood is a bad sign to me. And the blood probably means most of my sugestions are on the wrong track, I just don’t have any other ideas.
Good luck
July 19, 2008 @ 6:50 pm
If you are worried about the water supply I would try bottled water for a while, have you recently moved? If you change areas it can take a while for the dog to get used to a different water supply.
When ever I bring a new dog home they all get bottled water for a week and then tap water is gradually added till they are on full tap water.
Could something nasty got into the water during the hot weather, I don’t know what as I don’t know what sort of things it may be.
My 3 drink out of water bottles designed for dogs,it stops anything getting into the water and also stops them tipping it over as soon as I leave the house which is what was happening.
I hope you get to the bottom of what is going on and it stops.
Rhona