Mareezee
Los Angeles, CA
SH
Posts:51
 |
| 02/20/2013 11:30 AM |
|
Hello all,
Last night and the night before Luna has thrown up her dinner, it hasn't been a whole lot, it looks like maybe a fourth of what she actually ate...I am not home during the day, so am not sure about her breakfast. She is having normal bowel movements and is acting completely normal so i don't know what could be causing it. She will be sleeping in her crate and wake up to vomit. She seems to have her normal appetite, and is her normal playful, silly self. I know i should take her to the vet, but i wanted to know if anyone has experienced this with their own dogs...Thank you!! |
|
|
|
|
smatulewicz
Michigan
MH
Posts:1217
|
| 02/20/2013 11:49 AM |
|
| Bella has been sick a couple of times with no other symptoms and it has always been from chomping on pinecones or sticks. They don't digest bark well. I don't know if Luna is a chewer, or if she likes to "shred" sticks...but that could be a cause. Though, I always see the evidence in the vomit so if it is just food, something else may be at play. That is my only experience with Bella being sick except for one time she really over exerted herself out at camp....wouldn't rest....wouldn't slow down long enough to eat her breakfast or take a drink, and was finding all sorts of bits of food from cooking out and around the campfire. It was her first time being sick...she vomited several times over the course of about an hour. I took her home, gave her a bath, made her rest, and after that her appetite was back and she was her normal self. |
|
|
|
|
Mareezee
Los Angeles, CA
SH
Posts:51
|
| 02/20/2013 12:07 PM |
|
thank you so much for your insight smatulewicz  The night before last night, she did go for a run with the bike, and she doesn't know her limits yet, so i chalked it up to over-exersion. Last night was a pretty mellow night, so i got concerned. Luna is actually notorious for eating things that she shouldn't. We have been keeping a very close watch on her since we found out about her appetite for underwear! She loves her some sticks, and well as pieces of bark and pretty much anything she can chomp down on a couple of times. Last night she quickly re-ate her food before i could examine it :o/ i don't want to worry too much, but i also don't want to be under-concerned  |
|
|
|
|
Splat
Illinois (Northern)
MH
Posts:3155
|
| 02/20/2013 12:31 PM |
|
| When vomiting is involved I go with gut feeling as to whether I rush to the vet or wait it out... you know your dogs behavior and are the best judge... they do eat the weirdest things and can upset their bellies pretty easy... you can give pepto to help upset stomach... and just feed boiled chicken and white rice till she is better... |
|
 |
|
|
Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7926
|
| 02/20/2013 12:40 PM |
|
| Also if she needs to go number 2 it can cause them to vomit. It is usually in the morning though and because mine won't go out because of heavy rain or something like that. Usually only happens once then they are fine after they go potty. I would just make sure she is quiet and not over exerted at least an hour before and after eating as well. As splat said go with your gut. You can usually tell if they are feeling poorly too or acting out of sorts. Pepto works well for upset tummies. Give the dosage by weight. I use the liquid as you can be more precise with the dosage. Just be prepared because some are very good at spitting out all over the place. I open their mouth and dump the dose in the back of the throat, shut and hold the mouth closed and stroke the throat until they swallow. Then I wipe up any that got on the outside of the mouth. |
|
Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
   
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
|
|
smatulewicz
Michigan
MH
Posts:1217
|
| 02/20/2013 1:14 PM |
|
You'd think they would learn not to eat things that make them sick...I mean if a rat can figure it out, you'd think a very intelligent GSP could  (sorry for the rat reference that is the psych nerd in me). I also forgot to mention that once Bella has was over zealous about her dinner and reverted back to eating (or shall I say inhaling it) too quickly. She coughed it up more so than vomiting it, and that was the only time she has felt compelled to take it back in (almost as in a "hey, I just ate that...get back in there" kind of way lol). Is she possibly just eating too fast? Bella takes her time with her breakfast, but eats her dinner a bit more quickly |
|
|
|
|
weerubbertummy
Ayrshire, Scotland
MH
Posts:730
|
| 02/20/2013 1:48 PM |
|
Although she's only 9 weeks old, Sanna vomited up approx a quarter of her meal a couple of times over the last couple of days - but i'd actually experimented with increasing her food by approx a quarter - could it just be she's eating too much (Luna i mean)? Another thought, sorry i'm not sure how old Luna is, but could she be coming into season? |
|
Miss you forever Kintra baby xxx |
|
|
kpwlee
Raleigh, NC
MH
Posts:1019
|
| 02/20/2013 4:58 PM |
|
| The only other thought I can add is to closely monitor her poop. She could have a blockage, they can have a few normal poops after the blockage and will vomit with a blockage. If her stools go from normal to runny or she is straining and the vomiting continues it would be a vet trip for me |
|
It's Bugsy's world...
http://dailyzoomie.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
Mareezee
Los Angeles, CA
SH
Posts:51
|
| 02/20/2013 6:13 PM |
|
| Thank you so much for all the helpful advice! We try to be careful about feeding her before and after exercise. She is a pretty slow eater and eats 3 times a day, 2-2 1\2 cups each sitting. Werubbertummy...she will be 9 months in a week, so that is definitely a possibility. You mean they don't stay puppies forever? :-( |
|
|
|
|
Splat
Illinois (Northern)
MH
Posts:3155
|
| 02/21/2013 6:41 AM |
|
wow that does seem like a lot of food that is 6 or more cups a day... Now when Striker was around he needed 5-6 cups to keep any kind of weight on him, but the norm is 3-4 cups...
How is she doing now? Still vomiting? |
|
|
|
|
Mareezee
Los Angeles, CA
SH
Posts:51
|
| 02/21/2013 9:35 AM |
|
| She is currently 70+ pounds :oP She was 20 pounds when we took her home at 8 weeks, so she's always been a BIG girl the recommendation on her food says 7 cups a day! We are looking into changing it, as I know the higher the quality, the less you have to feed! She was fine last night, she kept everything down, but I will still be watching her closely, of course. |
|
|
|
|
kpwlee
Raleigh, NC
MH
Posts:1019
|
| 02/21/2013 9:55 AM |
|
I am sure you are but just go by how she looks regarding the food amounts - the bags are always wrong LOL
And yes a food that they process well always winds up better as they eat less, get more from it and poop less
Most importantly I am very glad no more puking!!!! |
|
It's Bugsy's world...
http://dailyzoomie.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
Splat
Illinois (Northern)
MH
Posts:3155
|
| 02/21/2013 10:01 AM |
|
I didn't want it to sound like you were feeding too much since I fed my 50 lbs gsp 6 cups a day! But yes go by how they look not by bag recommendations, just use that as a guide to start off with...
Yeah for no more vomiting! |
|
|
|
|
Mareezee
Los Angeles, CA
SH
Posts:51
|
| 02/21/2013 10:21 AM |
|
Thank you for all the help and support! And don't worry, Splat, it didn't sound that way at all As far as how she looks, I can see ribs still, and it amazes me how she doesn't seem to have any fat on her. In addition to being to see he ribs, her muscles are very visible, and she doesn't do any vigorous exercise. She started out gaining about 10 pounds a month (and became pretty bowlegged for a couple of weeks of her 3rd or 4th month, which freaked me out!) but since her 7th month, her weight has been leveling out and she's actually not as crazy about her food anymore. I don't think she should gain too much more.
I am thinking of changing her food to Fromm or Canidae, but i haven't decided yet... and yes, horray for no puke! |
|
|
|
|
Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7926
|
| 02/21/2013 11:01 AM |
|
| If she showed tendencies to bow leggedness at 3 to 4 months I would be very suspicious about whether the food you are feeding is right for her or not, even if the issue has now cleared up. I do not know what you are feeding, but I would seriously look at the ingredients and compare to other quality foods like you mentioned. As a breeder I worry about the proper nutrition for puppies and young adult dogs as I have seen pictures of puppies and young dogs with lots of bone, foot and leg issues (things that looked like genetic abnormalities some of which were so severe they looked like they would leave the dog crippled) because of what they were being fed. Within a couple of weeks of their food being changed to something better, the issues cleared up. Also, if her body is not properly processing the current food that could be causing her to throw it back up. The amount you feed is not so concerning (although I think it is allot), but whether or not she is digesting it properly and how her body is processing it could be an issue. So, my recommendation would be to find a good quality food (and it really doesn't matter much between the good ones as they all are about the same when it comes to the minerals, vitamins, etc.) and start transferring her over to the new food gradually. I would also be looking at the protein to fat ratio and buying one that is pretty high in both as the shorthairs blow through the calories and do very well on high protein and fat. I currently feed mine Purina Pro Plan Sport which has a very high ratio in protein and fat and they are doing great on it. It also is a good quality and a good price and since I have 4 dogs right now the price helps. That said, pick a food you are comfortable with and look at the ingredients and make a decision. The dog food analysis website might also be helpful in your decision. |
|
Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
|
|
Mareezee
Los Angeles, CA
SH
Posts:51
|
| 02/21/2013 12:00 PM |
|
Thank you for the info Texas Belle. When i noticed the problem, i called the breeder and he made an appointment to see his vet right away to ease my mind. The bowing lasted all of a week, and seemed to disappear over night. I was SUPER paranoid when i noticed it, and he offered another pup if it turned out to be a problem, but there was no way i was parting with her. She was their heaviest puppy, and he told me he had the same claims from another family who took another puppy home from a different litter, and the vet checked him out also. The breeder fed the puppies Authority, which is a Petsmart brand, so we've kept that with the strong intent to upgrade. DogFoodAdvisor gives it a 3 star rating. Over the past month or so, she has shown a decreased interest in that particular brand.
Texas Belle, do you have any experience with Authority? or other store brands? I am picking up her new food tonight! |
|
|
|
|
Mareezee
Los Angeles, CA
SH
Posts:51
|
| 02/21/2013 12:03 PM |
|
| I forgot to mention that the day of her appointment with the breeder's vet, her bowing magically disppeared! So, being friday after work, during the worst rush hour southern california has to offer, I cancelled the appointment and everything seemed fine. Please don't tell me that was a mistake |
|
|
|
|
therozypozy
MH
Posts:471
|
| 02/21/2013 12:15 PM |
|
Wow 70 pounds for a female GSP is definitely on the larger side. She looks like a cutie in your profile pic.
I know with my first GSP I had issues with being able to keep food down. Now she would throw it up and certainly eat it back up, so really did not think she was sick, but it continued so took her to the vet. They put her on a special diet of easily digested food and that did not work either. Ultimately went to a grain free food (Evo Red Meat) and that worked and she put on good weight too. Now though we are feeding Grain Free Blue Buffalo because of the red meat issue with my border collie (easier to feed everyone the same food). My two GSPs only get 2 cups a day during the summer and 2 1/2 cups during the winter, but they weigh 46 and 50 pounds each. And I will add we train with treats daily . . . so no doubt they get more intake that this.
So if it continues, I would try some different food . . . for me I just kept trying until something she would not throw up, because even if they do eat it again, there is still a slimmey mess yuk! |
|
|
|
|
Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7926
|
| 02/21/2013 2:00 PM |
|
| I have also fed the Wellness brands and still use their canned (Wellness Core) which I mix in with the kibble in the evening meal. Prior to that I fed a locally manufactured kibble that was really good, but was very hard to get and kept going up in price which is why I switched to the Purina Pro Plan Sport. That is all I have ever fed my shorthairs as when I find a food that works I don't switch unless there is an issue. The Dog Food Advisor is probably your best source for evaluating the different foods. Unfortunately I am not at all familiar with Authority, but again look at the protein to fat ratio. You want both to be on the high side. As for weight, I use the rib test on mine. If I can see the last two ribs then their weight is good. I rarely actually weigh them except when I take them for their yearly exams at the vet. Using the rib test though I rarely see and changes in their weight when they do go into the vet. |
|
Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
|
|
smatulewicz
Michigan
MH
Posts:1217
|
| 02/21/2013 6:01 PM |
|
| Just found this today, first thought was if Luna has any of these treats http://www.examiner.com/article/huge-recall-of-pet-treats-dog-treats-salmonella-danger-for-pets-and-humans |
|
|
|
|