[KimS]

Hi
My 10 year old female maltese Spike started off a week ago last Saturday just kind of lethargic and 3/4 through her walk in the park she wanted to be carried. On the Sunday the same thing and she had the runs. I took her our vet first thing Monday morning and she had a temperature. The vet put her on Centrine for the diarrhea and Metronidazole and told me to feed her boiled chicken and rice (which she has had in the past for an upset tummy) She seem to perk up a bit on Tuesday and then on Wednesday was back to feeling lethargic and not eating. Took her in on Wednesday they took her off all the meds, gave her a B12 shot and did blood work. Again she seemed to perk up, Thursday she seemed a little better but definitely not herself. Friday she wouldn't eat anything. I took a urine sample in in the morning and when I got back she had bad diarrhea again, I took her back that afternoon, they gave her a shot for nausea and put her back on the Metronidazole. I tried giving her ground sirloin and scrambled eggs, and she picked at that. We went back on Saturday because again the runs and not eating and they were running a fecal panel. The bloodwork came back fine, the urine test came back fine. The fecal panel we are still waiting for (we are not 100% positive it was her stool because we have 2 maltese who are pee pad trained and we didn't see who actually did it. But had it tested anyway. Sunday still wouldn't really eat but no diarrhea. Monday called back to the vet and she said try giving her McDonalds chicken nuggets or a cheeseburger. Tried that but still wouldn't eat. I lost it hysterical, so the vet said to take her to the specialist, so I set up an appt for today. But was so upset took her into VCA Animal hospital where yesterday they gave her an ultrasound, that showed nothing. I changed the appt to Wed because the fecal panel is supposed to be back by then, last night she would eat... ate half a chicken nugget. I was up all night watching her. This morning she had the runs again, (still on the meds) this time I actually saw her go, so I know it was her sample. I was going to wait until Wed for the results of the other fecal sample (but again I am not 100% sure it was her sample) I called the VCA at 6:30am this morning as I am trying to get back in today with the new sample and will start again with a fresh sample. I am going out of my mind with worry and I am sure she is sensing my stress.

Anyone have any idea what this might be? She has lost .7lb in a week
Sorry so long, I am so scared and upset.
Kim

 

[casa verde maltese]

I am so sorry Kim. I don't have any answers for you, since it seems you are doing everything and going to the vet. I hope some others have some insights.
Please let us know what happens.

 

[Maidto2Maltese]

Ahh so sorry she is having problems. First thought I have.. did they give her some fluids??...I'd worry about dehydration. I also suggest you try pumpkin ..that has a lot of fiber and often will help firm up the stools.

Hope the fecal tests will reveal something so it can be addressed.

My Quincy tends to get runny stools and I add some of the Prescription WD ( high fiber food) to his reg meal. I use about a heaping tablespoon and it seems to be enough to keep his poops nice and firm.

I'd have to go back and read but wondered if there is a food-allergy involved...maybe to chicken? This can develop even if they've had no problem previously. If so the WD wouldn't be good but the RD also has high fiber and I think that is beef not chicken but would have to check on that.

Or you could ask vet about adding a little benefiber... but I don't know what the dose would be so he/she would have to advise.
Hope this gets straightened out very soon... poor little girl!

 

[KimS]

Hi
Thanks for the suggestions, she is mildly dehydrated and if I can't get into the specialist today I will take her to our own vet for fluids. I cannot get her to eat anything at all. She normally eats Blue Buffalo dry food and treats are dehydrated chicken. I dehydrate the chicken myself because I don't trust the stuff that comes from China. So that is all she normally eats... in the last week I have tried boiled chicken breasts and rice, ground sirloin cooked and rinsed, scrambled eggs, canned blue buffalo, science diet ad, a plain cheeseburger, chicken nuggets and she won't eat anything at all.
I am going crazy with worry
Kim

 

[Ladysmom]

She is probably extremely dehydrated after seven days of this. That can make them weak, lethargic and not want to eat.

I would guess they may want to admit her at this point and administer fluids through an IV. That will also give her stomach a chance to rest.

Please keep us posted.

 

[KimS]

When I had her in to emergency care at the VCA yesterday afternoon, they told me she was mildly dehydrated. She is drinking just not eating. I am taking her back in this afternoon.'
Thanks
Kim

 

[Ladysmom]

What were you feeding her when she got sick? There have been so many problems with pet food and treats from China. I know the FDA is currently investigating Nutro.

 

[KimS]

She eats Blue Buffalo dry food and the only treats she gets is dehydrated chicken breasts which I buy from my grocery store and dehydrate the chicken myself.
Thanks
Kim

 

[Ladysmom]

She eats Blue Buffalo dry food and the only treats she gets is dehydrated chicken breasts which I buy from my grocery store and dehydrate the chicken myself.
Thanks
Kim

A food allergy is a possibility. Dogs can build up antibodies that trigger an allergic reaction with constant exposure to the same ingredient. It's possible she has become allergic to chicken.

I'd ask your vet about this. Usually a novel protein (one she has never had before) and new carb are introduced.

 

[drclee]

I'm so sorry to hear Spike isn't doing well. I hope you find out the cause - please keep us posted. I also agree with getting a second opinion if your vet can't seem to figure out what the problem is.

 

[KimS]

Thanks I have a 1:30pm CST appt this afternoon with internal medicine specialist, I will ask her about that. My other Malt is fine other than she is sensing her Mom is upset and her sister is not feeling well.
Kim

 

[Jayne]

Pumpkin worked for my dog.. Make sure it is not pumpkin pie filling, just plain pumpkin.. My dogs wanted strange things when they had this problem.. Baby food pureed meat ,canned tuna, egg, rice with avery small amount of chicken or beef gravy..Watch the meats at the grocery store..They have additives in them that can give diarrhea.. There is only one meat , chicken or turkey , or pork that doesn't have additives here in Florida. And that is at Publix.. And it's a chicken or turkey put up in something like a sausage wrapper.. I can't think of the name..Sorry.. I think it's Purdue, but not sure about that..Keep the fluids going, even if the vet has to do it with and IV.. I am not a vet, but this is what I have done when my dogs have this. Another thought, has she maybe eaten something that has caused a small blockage?An ultra sound may or may not show that.. Have you thought about Xrays...One of my guys had big gas pockets in the intestine that showed up on an xray that was causing the same problem you are describing. And is she still running a temperature? Hopefully her stool sample will show somrthing ..And again, I am not a vet and you need to defer to a professional, but you could run these things through your doctor..and I would seek further medical help for her if your vet can't seem to pinpoint the problem.. What one can't see maybe another can.. You and your baby are in my prayers...

 

[uniquelovdolce]

hope ur baby feels better soon!

 

[susie and sadie]

I am so sorry your baby is sick. I hope the vet can get to the bottom of this soon and she'll start feeling better. I can imagine how worried you must be. I'll keep Spike in my prayers. rayer: :grouphug:rayer:

 

[MalteseJane]

sorry your baby is sick. I am glad we did not plan to go anywhere for Mother's day because Alex was not feeling well. He started Saturday morning to throw up white slimy stuff. Was fine all day long, and was eager to eat small quiche with us. Since he is used to people food, I did not think too much of it. Forgot that those little quiche contain more cheese than when I make a quiche myself. Too much cheese does not agree with him. He threw up white stuff again on Sunday morning and he was not feeling well all day. I gave him some Bepto. Yesterday he had diarrhea. Since he was drinking fine, I was not concerned about dehydration. Since he did not want to eat pushed some pumpkin in his mouth. Added some more pumpkin to his food that he finally ate a bit in the evening. Yesterday all his food contained pumpkin. Today he is fine again. I think pumpkin helps more than all the meds vets prescribe. I would try mixing pumpkin in his food.

 

[poochie2]

I hear alot of suggestions about pumpkin. Where do you buy pumpkin for dogs? Is it frozen or like baby food jars? Mine had diahrrea after eating Nutro and now her poop is solid but a strange yellow colour even after several days later after eating that Nutro crap.

I hope your malt feels better real soon. I know it is very stressful when they are not themselves.

 

[maltlovereileen]

Monday called back to the vet and she said try giving her McDonalds chicken nuggets or a cheeseburger

A little surprised thevet suggested these foods as they are kinda of greasy and would think would be upsetting to their digestive systems. ??? Instead I would try offering her boiled chicken and rice (easy to digest) and because it is homemade food, they will often eat it more readily than their usual processed foods.

I echo the sentiment about finding another vet for another opinion. Do you feed your dog table scraps by any chance?

 

[Ladysmom]

Monday called back to the vet and she said try giving her McDonalds chicken nuggets or a cheeseburger

A little surprised thevet suggested these foods as they are kinda of greasy and would think would be upsetting to their digestive systems. ??? Instead I would try offering her boiled chicken and rice (easy to digest) and because it is homemade food, they will often eat it more readily than their usual processed foods.

I echo the sentiment about finding another vet for another opinion. Do you feed your dog table scraps by any chance?

I had the exact same thought. In case this is pancreatitis, McDonald's fast food is absolutely the worst idea I have ever heard!

 

[maltlovereileen]

I had the exact same thought. In case this is pancreatitis, McDonald's fast food is absolutely the worst idea I have ever heard!

You must be reading my mind, Marj...I was also wondering if it was pancreatitis

 

[Jayne]

I hear alot of suggestions about pumpkin. Where do you buy pumpkin for dogs? Is it frozen or like baby food jars? Mine had diahrrea after eating Nutro and now her poop is solid but a strange yellow colour even after several days later after eating that Nutro crap.

I hope your malt feels better real soon. I know it is very stressful when they are not themselves.

I get canned pumpkin at Albertsons...It is usually in the canned veggie section..If not, Ask for canned pumpkin.. Some stores only have it during holidays, so stock upwhen you find it, is my suggestion..It really works :aktion033: