[Susie]

Mine is 5 lbs and I told vet lowest dose but I need to double check him. What was your dose?

[Susie]

My chi is getting gabapentin liquid tonight and i too was worried about xylitol. Everything still ok? We won’t have bloodwork back til tomorrow and I’m nervous but he hurts. He has ivdd narrowing of the vertebra.

[Susie]

I believe there is new research that says oral is as effective as injections per Texas a & m. But if your dog doesn’t have Intrinsic factor you may need injections and maybe if your dog’s gut is so out of whack it may not work. Max did get retested and his levels rose after the oral so st least it worked for him. I wasn’t keen on injections which we did for a while. He hates it and I didn’t like giving him all the crap that is included in the b12 injection. He’s small and i wonder if the synthetic b12 is safe for him. I will just purchase through the vet. A bottle lasts forever because now he takes half a tablet a day rather than one.

[Susie]

Thanks. I buy everything but vitamin b and Pepcid from chewy. I get nutramax Cobalequin and it’s way over priced thru vet but i found Affordablevwt.com that sells it for less. Just not sure they are legit.

[Susie]

I will add that I think mine was low prior to being on Pepcid. He was having major gi issues and diagnosed with IBD. He was low folate too. We supplement b12 and folate because b12 needs folate to absorb.

[Susie]

Mine takes PEpcid also and was super low on b12. So now we buy cobalequin b12 from our vet and he gets it daily. I’m concerned too because i don’t know if the supplements work when on Pepcid. You can test b12 and folate. It isn’t cheap. I don’t know if knowing their b12 serum is really going to matter though because maybe it will show high since they are being supplemented. I wish i had answers for you and me. Is your dog on Pepcid forever? Mine is supposed to be. I give it about 3 times a week now instead of daily. Please post if you find anything out. Maybe someone will have answers for us.

[Susie]

I want s to add, maybe your pup is low in vitamin b and or folate? It can cause or be the cause of GI issues. My boy was low and he is doing better after supplementing. We did a GI panel thru Texas A&M.

[Susie]

I hope your doggy feels better soon. My 11 year old chihuahua was restless for a while at night. He would awake from a deep sleep during the night and sit up. He would get water, hack, and go back to sleep. His abdomen was tight and he hacked. He never had bowel issues nor did he vomit. He was diagnosed with IBD and collapsed trachea. I feel like most of his issues were IBD related. He was critically low on b12 and folate. He was treated with a few antibiotics and finally got better. We did have to put him on a very simple diet for a month to calm is GI down. We boiled yams and lean turkey and he had turkey yam mash. Now he eats The Honest Kitchen Zeal. We try to keep his fat and fiber low. I’m telling you all of this in case you can relate and apply anything to help your dog. I am sad that our dogs have to age and heir health declines. I have four seniors but I’m hoping they live to be 20 and yours can too. ❤️

[Susie]

Thanks you guys! I hope this goes over well.

[Susie]

Right but she’s not in a life or death situation. I would give her pain meds of course, if it were really necessary. Not sure this will be warranted. Our dentist did not want us to give Metacam more than 3 days after major oral surgery on one of ours. He is healthy and was at the time and she still was very cautious. I get what you are saying. But that’s not really what my list is about. I’m here to ask others their experience. I have a vet and I work with him. I base decisions for my dogs after gaining as much knowledge as I can and discussing concerns with my vet. NSAIDs are somdangerous for humans and animals.

[Susie]

No way will I use Rimadyl. Not even a dose. I’ve read so many stories on how one dose harmed dogs.

[Susie]

Thanks! It’s once a day because simplicef is daily. She is taking the lowest dose. I think he lowered it because I told him I wanted her dosed according to weight and not some broad dose for dogs up to 40lbs. So the discharge notes said 25. He said “half” at the appointment.hen the bottle said 50 msg. I called and her receptionist must have lied and said it was a typo and said 50. That wasn’t good enough for me so Iasked to have Vet call me. He never called and went home for he day so I called back at 4pm and they contacted the Dr and things changed to 25. It was so messed up and I didn’t appreciate it. I will speak with the vet about what happened and calmly tell him that was bad for his clients and patients. I agree it needs to be removed. I just don’t know what to expect. We didn’t go over the bad things that could happen. As far as pain meds do you know which ones they prefer to prescribe for things like his? I want to educate myself before I accept the medication.

[Susie]

Sadie would hate swimming. She truly hates water. I would go without food if I had to pick testing her or eating. Lol. She’s my baby. I’ve seen business cards at my vet’s for massage therapy. But unless I knew I didn’t want I put her thru that. I would use medication as last resort. I should look into tumeric.

[Susie]

I really thought it could be spinal related. She jumps a lot. Would I see a massage therapist? How would I know? A year ago I suspected her spine because I felt she was walking stiffly but X-rays were normal.

[Susie]

No changes. Don’t worry, I am not wanting people here to diagnose my precious girl. If it happens again I will be at the vet asap. I’m just looking for information so I can perhaps piece it together and figure out what hers could be. If anything. She did start eating the Honest Kitchen Seal about 3 weeks ago and had a couple of their new treats, Cuddles. But she’s been on THK for a year now and her transition to the fish type was slow. She has been tolerating it well. The only other thing was she had 2 new treats yesterday. They are human grade and we’re made of fish and coconut.

[Susie]

I am so sorry. I watched the video. Sad. If you are on Facebook why don’t you find an epilepsy group or something similar and post the video. I am sure here are several groups for dogs with seizures. Not that it’s a seizure. Even if it is t yoh will find many helpful people who could have the same issue and be helpful. I joined so many when I was worried my dog was I. Kidney failure. Then I worried it was addisons ‘s. My point is I think you could get some answers and maybe find out about the drooling etc. my dog was doing something g similar here and there and I think hers was her tummy. Good luck ❤️

[Susie]

I wonder too. I use 3 varieties of Honest Kitchen but don’t change brands

[Susie]

I’m not sure about the tail thing. Mine kept his under. She may be bruised and licking because it hurts. Not necessarily because she itches. Does the skin look red and inflamed? If so I would remember to keep it clean and if you have anything non toxic to soothe her do that. If you apply salve try to hold her for 20 minutes so it has time to help and then wash off area so she can lick and self soothe. If she has hair in the way trim it. But collects bacteria and allergens. Maybe you can drop by the vet for a look and your vet won’t charge an office visit and just make sure it’s not an abscess in the making. But when you say the tail is out are you meaning straight out and not bent? You said she’s on steroids. Have you looked into side effects of the medication? I stay away from steroids.

[Susie]

Sure! I have one with ongoing issues. He’s 8. Our vet was able to get stuff out without anesthesia but it was uncomfortable for my baby and I hated it for him. It was also hard for our vet but he’s been a dr for 35 years and voted best in the metroplex so he knows his stuff. He was able to infuse antibiotic ointment up there without anesthesia as well. He gave him a round of oral antibiotics and the abscess drained. Sooo painful for dogs! Second time around he had anesthesia for dental work so vet Infused antibiotics and expressed while he was under. Abscesses look like boils but at beginning they aren’t obvious. Good luck!

[Susie]

I hope the blister isn’t an abscess. Since he got stuff out seems like it wouldn’t be.

[Susie]

Maybe she’s bruised from expressing and she’s scratching from pain? For now keep it clean (diluted providine iodine) and warm compresses. I make a rice bag for mine and gently apply it while holding him. I have one that has had two abscessed and you would know. They seem to happen so fast! Is her tail under? It’s so painful. Ask the vet if the substance that came out was dry or liquid. Mine had dry thick matter. Not good.

[Susie]

This won’t apply to me as my four are still here. But I was thinking, what about throwing in exercise too? Even if you don’t choose to chart it I’d be curious to know. And vaccinating.

[Susie]

Thanks Jessica and Susan! Susan, I guess fish oil can cause heartburn. Is that why it’s not always good?
Jessica, I have been experimenting with handfeeding Max versus letting him gobble food down and he is way better when I make him eat slowly out of a spoon or my fingers. It definitely can cause gi troubles. I’ve been dealing with max and his inflammatory bowel disease for a while now and hand feeding helps. While I’m scared of drugs, I am giving Max the lowest dose Pepcid (per vets) every 24 hours. Wow if I don’t give it to him he coughs and regurgitates. The reflux is real. With the Honest kitchen I’ve also found it is better for max if I don’t make it too soupy. It comes back up the esophagus too easily. Just telling you these random things in case it can help you. Also I grind it in a coffee grinder before making it and let it sit over night in the fridge. The ladies from THk told me to do this for better digestion. I don’t like to give mine peanutbutter because of the sugar. I wouldn’t but a lot of people do. Just think it can feed the bacteria in their gut. Also consider a probiotic. I guess I’m off track. Maybe your kiddo just really loves the food and wants more! I’m kinda a psycho dog momma and I soak my dogs’ paws in a large Rubber bin after walks. I use diluted vinegar or diluted providing iodine to clean their feet. I am hoping it is why they don’t really have paw issues. And I agree that mine stopped ictching on THK but it is probably because we stopped chicken at the same time.

[Susie]

Susan it never occurred to me that chewing things they shouldn’t could be due to pain, as in reflux. I knew they would maybe lick or chew paws. That could explain one of my boys acting out. So when your dog has reflux he wants more food?
I have zeal. I got it because the fiber is so high in the two I have and wanted to see if zeal is easier on them. I will say it is hard to soften and I have found grinding it before adding water is much better. hope this helps the original poster. And maybe since your baby seems to have lost his mojo maybe the food has too much fiber? Could you experiment with ratios as they say you can on the box? Maybe doggy needs a supplement. Mine was so low in b12 so we have a tech give him injections and I supplement with folate (also low).

[Susie]

I am seeing two vets. An IM and a regular. Both have told me this.

[Susie]

Geez settle down people. Exercising with a full tummy can cause bloat as can a too full a tummy which can and not always will happen with adding water.

[Susie]

I’m glad it’s working for you. I have researched this topic a lot lately because I was dealing with a dog with something I thought was bloat and also reflux. I was adding a little more water to his food because his labs showed possible dehydration. It’s just something for people to be aware of. It can potentially cause bloat, especially if you have a German Shepherd in particular. But larger breeds in general are prone to bloat. Mine are tiny and they aren’t exempt. If anyone’s noticing their dog coughing and or burping food after adding water to it it’s probably not agreeing with them.

[Susie]

I would never add water to kibble. Ever. Or their food for that matter unless it’s deydrated and a must. It can cause bloat and also adding water exacerbates acid reflux. If they need more water make a broth and give as a treat but not with their food.

[Susie]

I feed this too. We have Embark and the base mix Kindly. Could your doggie just love it so much more than his old food that he wants more? How’s his weight? Sometimes I top the Embark off with boiled turkey. Are you following the directions to feed more for high energy dogs? Jacks definitely are high energy. Their gudielines for feeding are just guidelines. Maybe you can sneak in a Kong filled with food for more calories and energy. Since it is high in fiber I have to be careful with over feeding. I will give them sweet potatoes on the side or more meat. I don’t know which foods are highest in calories but that’s something to look into. Mine have more gas on this sometimes and they haven’t in the last on other foods! And I don’t like the garlic in some of the mixes even though I’ve been assured they are fine in small doses I have one that is 5lbs so I worry. My girl begs for those treats they make called Pecks. It’s really bad and borderline annoying.

[Susie]

I am interested in this as well. I have a 10 yr old Chi also. I’ve been feeding him The Honest Kitchen Kindly base mix and adding boiled turkey. I have Zeal (fish) on order because I want to try variety. Mine has IBD (not sure which one as we haven’t done major testing) so I wanted something with good ingredients and nothing funky. It is really high in fiber which is why I’m wanting to try Thr fish. High fiber isn’t the best for IBD. Anyway, you may look into THK. I’ve fed several brands of frozen raw which they did well on but the canned foods we have tried didn’t go over so well. We hated Weruva and Zignature. Looking forward to what others recommended. As far as yours lacking energy, you may want to check her b12 level. Mine had a very low level and since supplementing he’s so much perkier and playful.

[Susie]

First is there a way to stay logged in to this forum?
If it were my dog I would get a referral now to an internal medicine vet. I learned through an undiagnosed dog of two years to just try to go to the IM sooner than later. You can tell the IM vet that youmay not be ready for anything invasive or costly and want to start with his opinion uti experience with this issue. I just had a dog with an anal glands issue and it ruptured. Vet wanted to lance it. Instead we did antibiotics and Epsom compresses. He healed within a few days and all is good. I realize yours is internal and not related. My vet did say my dog could possibly have what toes may have going on. Can you log into some holistic dog groups on Facebook just for ideas? Maybe there is a simple way to at least help him if it’s not an actual tumor. Dog butts are strange. Mine had a dry matter coming out of his gland!

[Susie]

Wow, I think my girl Sadie has the same problem. She’s 11 and otherwise healthy. Thank you for posting so that I can see a neurologist and have knowledge. Do either of you know what triggers this? Sadie gulps and licks floors, and looks scared when it happens. She’s had 3 now, spaced out, and they last maybe half an hour. She will calm down and stop for a few minutes but then it starts back up. Could heat or motion sickness trigger it? She eats five star canned foods and made in USA grain free treats. No vaccines. I’m worried. Thank you.

[Susie]

Thanks. I can see why you could perhaps read it that way. I just had a other dog under anesthesia for dental extractions. He could maybe benefit from milk thistle. What’s your opinion? I have heard so many saying yes, and so many saying no. Back to Tucker and the peroxide, I think I will pass on the rx from the vet. My luck he would be allergic to it and make things worse.

[Susie]

you are misunderstanding me. My dog only threw up once, which was right after I gave him peroxide. He got rid of the plastic. 10 min later I gave him bland chicken rice pumpkin and water. He ate it. Has not vomited again. I had to ask vet if there was anything To soothe his tummy. She didn’t volunteer any coating medication. FYI milk histle is a liver cleanse. Has nothing to do with his vomiting. I wanted to cleanse the poor baby after ingesting peroxide.

[Susie]

He’s going in for a checkup which will include labs etc so that will give me peace of mind. If I really thought he was sick he’d be at the vet right now. He’s eating, playing and happy. I am a holistic approach person and want to counteract the peroxide.

[Susie]

There’s no blockage. He vomited the tiny piece he chewed. He’s fine. I just want to be proactive and help him out just in case the peroxide damaged him internally.

[Susie]

Yea I called his vet first. I gave him less than she said because it worked before with a lesser dose when our other dog drank coffee. Once I was sure he was finished vomiting I did feed him. Is that ok? He didn’t vinit after he ate.

[Author]

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